Cost Guide
How Much Does a FiveM Server Cost in 2026?
We break down every cost involved in running a FiveM server — hosting, scripts, and hidden fees — for every budget from $0 to $500+/month.
TL;DR — FiveM Server Cost Summary
| Cost Category | Minimum | Typical | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting (per month) | $0 (home PC) | $15–40 | $80–200 |
| FiveM Server License | Free | Free | Free |
| Framework (ESX / QBCore) | Free | Free | Free |
| Scripts (one-time) | $0 (free only) | $50–200 | $300–1000+ |
| Custom Domain | $0 | $10/year | $10–30/year |
| Discord Bot | $0 | $0–10/month | $20–50/month |
| Total First Month | ~$0 | ~$75–250 | ~$400–1200 |
| Ongoing Monthly | ~$0 | ~$15–50 | ~$100–250 |
Key takeaway
Hosting Costs (The Biggest Variable)
Hosting is your biggest ongoing expense. Here are your options in 2026:
Home PC / Dedicated Hardware
$0/month (electricity ~$5–15)
Pros
- No monthly fee
- Full control
- Upgrade cheaply over time
Cons
- ✗Static IP needed ($5–15/month from ISP)
- ✗Not reliable for 24/7 uptime
- ✗Bandwidth caps may apply
Shared FiveM Hosting (Zap-Hosting, FiveM.host)
$10–25/month
Pros
- txAdmin pre-configured
- One-click framework install
- No server knowledge needed
Cons
- ✗Limited RAM/CPU
- ✗Shared resources with others
- ✗Harder to customize
VPS (OVH, Contabo, Hetzner, Vultr)
Recommended$15–60/month
Pros
- Dedicated resources
- Full root access
- Best performance/price ratio
Cons
- ✗Requires Linux knowledge
- ✗Self-managed (you handle updates)
- ✗Manual txAdmin setup
Dedicated Server
$80–200+/month
Pros
- Maximum performance
- No noisy neighbors
- Best for 128+ concurrent players
Cons
- ✗Expensive
- ✗Overkill for most servers
- ✗Complex management
Script & Resource Costs
Scripts are typically one-time purchases. Here's what a full server setup costs in scripts:
| Script Category | Free Options | Premium Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Framework (QBCore / ESX) | ✅ Free | N/A |
| Phone Script | ✅ NPWD (free) | $10–40 |
| Police Job | ✅ qb-policejob | $25–80 |
| EMS / Ambulance | ✅ qb-ambulancejob | $20–60 |
| Mechanic Job | ✅ Basic version | $20–60 |
| Drug / Illegal System | ⚠️ Basic versions | $30–100 |
| Banking System | ✅ qb-banking | $20–50 |
| Housing / Property | ⚠️ Limited free options | $40–120 |
| Heist System | ❌ Rarely free | $50–150 |
| Inventory (ox_inventory) | ✅ Free | N/A |
Browse free FiveM scripts or script bundles to reduce costs significantly.
Server License (Free!)
FiveM servers are always free to license
Budget Breakdowns by Tier
Starter (Free)
$0/month- Home PC hosting
- QBCore or ESX (free)
- Free community scripts only
- Up to 32–48 players
- Basic RP experience
Community
$25–60/month- VPS ($15–40/month)
- 1–3 premium scripts ($50–150 one-time)
- Mix of free + premium scripts
- Up to 64–128 players
- Solid RP experience
Professional RP
$80–250/month- Dedicated VPS or dedi server ($80–200/month)
- Full premium script set ($400–800 one-time)
- Custom MLO interiors
- 128–512 players (OneSync)
- NoPixel-quality experience
How to Reduce Costs
- Use script bundles: Bundle deals on FiveMX can save 30–50% compared to buying scripts individually.
- Start with free scripts: QBCore's ecosystem has hundreds of free, high-quality community scripts. Build your server with free scripts first, then upgrade.
- Choose a VPS over shared hosting: VPS gives better performance per dollar than FiveM-specific shared hosting. Hetzner CX21 ($5/month) or OVH Start ($5/month) are excellent starting points.
- Use Cloudflare for DDoS protection: A free Cloudflare proxy protects your server IP. Reduces the need for expensive DDoS protection add-ons.
- Free mods for casual content: FiveMX has 1,400+ free FiveM scripts and mods. Use them for non-core features to keep costs low.
FAQ
Is FiveM server hosting free?
You can host a FiveM server for free on your own PC. Paid VPS hosting starts from $5–15/month and provides better reliability and performance for public servers.
Do I need to pay Cfx.re for a server?
No. FiveM server licenses are completely free. Cfx.re does not charge for server slots, player count, or any server features — including OneSync Infinity.
What's the cheapest way to run a FiveM server?
Run it on your own PC (free) with free community scripts. The only costs are electricity (~$5–15/month) and optionally a static IP from your ISP ($5–15/month).
How much RAM does a FiveM server need?
A small server (10–30 players) needs at least 4GB RAM. A medium server (30–64 players) needs 8–16GB. Large RP servers (64–256 players) typically use 32–64GB RAM.
Ready to get started?
Browse 1,400+ free FiveM scripts or premium resources with lifetime updates — no subscription required.