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Project Zomboid Server Hosting Workshop mods, sandbox & custom maps - ready to go

Rent a Project Zomboid server and survive together: launch your own server at MainHoster.de - whether vanilla co-op in Apocalypse mode, a freely configured sandbox server or a large modded community with custom maps. Thanks to our location in Germany, NVMe SSDs and DDoS protection up to 250 Gbit/⁠s, you hold out against the undead with low ping and stable performance.

Vanilla & modded Steam Workshop mods Sandbox & presets DDoS protection 250 Gbit/⁠s Ready in 120 s
MainHoster.de Project Zomboid server

Prepaid

Project Zomboid

  • Vanilla & modded
  • Steam Workshop mods
  • Fully configurable sandbox
  • Located in Germany
  • DDoS protection 250 Gbit/⁠s
  • Instant provisioning

starting at €9.99 / month

View plans

Our Project Zomboid plans

ZomboidS

For small co-op groups

€9.99 / month

  • 8 GB DDR4 RAM
  • 30 GB NVMe storage
  • Recommended: 8 players
  • Vanilla & a few mods
  • DDoS protection 250 Gbit/⁠s
  • Instant provisioning
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Most popular

ZomboidM

For active groups

€13.99 / month

  • 12 GB DDR4 RAM
  • 50 GB NVMe storage
  • Recommended: 14 players
  • Workshop mods & sandbox
  • DDoS protection 250 Gbit/⁠s
  • Instant provisioning
Order

ZomboidL

For modded communities

€18.99 / month

  • 16 GB DDR4 RAM
  • 75 GB NVMe storage
  • Recommended: up to ~20 players
  • Large mod lists
  • DDoS protection 250 Gbit/⁠s
  • Instant provisioning
Order

ZomboidXL

For large community servers

€26.99 / month

  • 24 GB DDR4 RAM
  • 100 GB NVMe storage
  • Recommended: up to 32, large mod list
  • Maximum mod load
  • DDoS protection 250 Gbit/⁠s
  • Instant provisioning
Order

Features Zomboid SZomboid MZomboid LZomboid XL
RAM8 GB DDR412 GB DDR416 GB DDR424 GB DDR4
Storage30 GB NVMe SSD50 GB NVMe SSD75 GB NVMe SSD100 GB NVMe SSD
Recommended for8 players14 playersup to ~20 playersup to 32, large mod list
Vanilla & modded Included Included Included Included
Steam Workshop mods Included Included Included Included
Sandbox & presets Included Included Included Included
Custom maps Included Included Included Included
Fixed server address (IP:Port) Included Included Included Included
Config editor (servertest.ini) Included Included Included Included
Admin panel & RCON Included Included Included Included
Web file manager & SFTP access Included Included Included Included
Sub-users / admin access Included Included Included Included
Automatic updates Included Included Included Included
Uplink1 Gbit/⁠s1 Gbit/⁠s1 Gbit/⁠s1 Gbit/⁠s
TrafficUnmetered (fair use)Unmetered (fair use)Unmetered (fair use)Unmetered (fair use)
DDoS protection (250 Gbit/⁠s) Included Included Included Included
Provisioning120 seconds120 seconds120 seconds120 seconds
Network availability99.9 %99.9 %99.9 %99.9 %
Price (month)€9.99€13.99€18.99€26.99
OrderOrderOrderOrder

Workshop mods: understanding the two-key system

Project Zomboid only loads Steam Workshop mods when two lists match - by far the most common source of errors. In servertest.ini you need:

  • WorkshopItems - the numeric Workshop IDs from the Steam URL, which the server downloads.
  • Mods - the mod IDs from each package's mod.info, which the game actually enables.

Separate multiple entries with semicolons, for example WorkshopItems=1234567890;2345678901 and Mods=ExampleModOne;ExampleModTwo. If one of the two lists is missing, the mod is not loaded. With the Steam Workshop editor in our panel, you maintain both lists comfortably and without typos.

Custom maps are regular Workshop mods too - you add them here and also enter the map name in the map load order.

Mods at a glance

  • WorkshopItems = numeric IDs
  • Mods = IDs from mod.info
  • Multiple entries separated by semicolons
  • Custom maps = Workshop mods too

servertest.ini & SandboxVars: two levels of configuration

Project Zomboid deliberately separates basic server settings and game rules into two files - so you can change the gameplay without touching the basic configuration:

servertest.ini

The basic settings: PvP on/off, server password, maximum players, mod lists (WorkshopItems & Mods), map and ports. The technical foundation of your server.

servertest_SandboxVars.lua

The game rules: zombie count and behavior (speed, strength, hearing), loot frequency, XP rates, day length and power outage. This is where you decide how harsh your apocalypse gets.

Both files are in the same directory and can be edited freely via the config editor in the web interface or via FTP/SFTP. As a starting point, pick a preset like Apocalypse or Survivor and fine-tune it with SandboxVars.

Presets & server setup

From classic Apocalypse survival to a fully modded community - presets and SandboxVars define the character of your server. Guidelines for choosing a plan:

Setup Description Recommended plan
ApocalypseThe default difficulty: slow but deadly zombies, scarce loot, real survival.Zomboid S / M
SurvivorA little more forgiving than Apocalypse - respawning resources and more room for beginners.Zomboid S / M
BuilderFocus on building and bases: few zombies, relaxed gathering and crafting.Zomboid S / M
Sandbox (custom)Every rule adjustable via SandboxVars - zombie count, loot, XP, day length.Zomboid M / L
Modded communityLarge Workshop mod lists (maps, weapons, vehicles, frameworks) for long-running servers.Zomboid L / XL

Guidelines for sizing: what counts is player count and mod load. Large modded communities with many maps and frameworks need considerably more RAM than a small vanilla group - if in doubt, choose one level bigger. Prices per plan are on What does a Project Zomboid server cost?.

Steam Workshop mods

Add maps, weapons, vehicles and frameworks with the Workshop editor - WorkshopItems and Mods kept clean, without typos.

Sandbox & presets

Start with Apocalypse, Survivor or Builder and then fine-tune zombie count, loot, XP and day length exactly as you like via SandboxVars.

Custom maps

Add popular community maps like Eerie Country, Raven Creek or Bedford Falls as Workshop mods and stack them in the load order.

Config editor

Adjust servertest.ini and SandboxVars.lua comfortably with the editor in the web interface or via FTP/SFTP - basic settings and game rules kept separate.

Admin panel & RCON

In-game admin panel for moderation and item spawns, plus RCON for commands at runtime. Appoint more admins with /setaccesslevel.

Web file manager & SFTP

Full access to configs, saves and mods - via the web file manager in your browser or with an SFTP client. Move, back up and restore your world.

DDoS protection

Our DDoS protection filters attacks of up to 250 Gbit/⁠s - so your server stays reachable even with larger communities.

Automatic updates

Your server runs Build 42 (stable) and stays up to date automatically - no manual SteamCMD update needed. Just make sure your mods are made for Build 42.

Made in Germany

All Project Zomboid servers run in our data center near Frankfurt - short routes to players across Europe for low ping.

Provisioning

Thanks to our automated ordering system, your Project Zomboid server is ready in around 120 seconds - load your world, invite your friends, survive.

Project Zomboid at a glance

  • Config: servertest.ini
  • Game rules: SandboxVars.lua
  • Default port: 16261
  • Mods: WorkshopItems + Mods
  • Presets: Apocalypse, Survivor, Builder
  • Version: Build 42 (stable)

Before you order

More game servers

Payment methods

PayPal logo Paysafecard logo Bank transfer logo Credit card, Google Pay and Apple Pay - payment via Stripe

PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, Google Pay & Apple Pay are free of charge, Paysafecard carries a 15 % fee. Everything is prepaid credit - all payment methods.

Frequently asked questions - Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid only loads mods correctly when two lists match - the most common source of errors. In servertest.ini you need WorkshopItems (the numeric Workshop IDs from the Steam URL, which the server downloads) AND Mods (the mod IDs from each package's mod.info, which the game actually enables). Separate multiple entries with semicolons, for example WorkshopItems=1234567890;2345678901 and Mods=ExampleModOne;ExampleModTwo. If you forget one of the two lists, the mod is not loaded. The Steam Workshop editor in our panel makes this comfortable.

servertest.ini holds the basic settings of your server: PvP, password, slots, mods and ports. The actual game rules - zombie count and behavior, loot frequency, XP rates, day length - are kept separately in servertest_SandboxVars.lua in the same folder. That lets you change the gameplay without touching the basic server configuration. You edit both files via the config editor in the web interface or via FTP/SFTP.

Our Project Zomboid servers run Build 42 (B42.20), which has been the default branch of Project Zomboid since July 29, 2026. Good to know: saves from the old Build 41 are not compatible with Build 42 - a B41 world cannot simply be continued on B42, so you start with a new world. Mods also have to be updated for Build 42: old B41 mods are not multiplayer-safe on a B42 server. Automatic updates keep your server on the current version.

Project Zomboid reserves server memory via the -Xmx value. Roughly speaking: a small vanilla co-op group gets by with little RAM, while bigger groups and especially long mod lists (maps, vehicles, frameworks) need considerably more. You set the slot count yourself; the actual requirement depends on player count and mod load together. The plan structure is a good guide: S/M for vanilla and a few mods, L/XL for large modded communities.

Yes. Maps in Project Zomboid are regular Steam Workshop mods. You add them like any other mod via WorkshopItems and Mods and also enter the map name in the map setting of servertest.ini (multiple maps are stacked in load order so that the vanilla map stays the base). Popular maps include Eerie Country, Raven Creek and Bedford Falls.

Yes. On first start you set an admin password; in the game, it opens the admin panel for moderation, item spawns and server options. You can also connect via RCON to send commands at runtime. You appoint more admins with /setaccesslevel. The credentials and the RCON port are shown in the web interface.

Yes. You upload your save (the Saves folder of the multiplayer world) and the configuration files (servertest.ini and servertest_SandboxVars.lua) via the web file manager in your browser or with an SFTP client. That way you move an existing world to us, or back it up and restore it yourself at any time.

Yes. Project Zomboid runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and players on these platforms can play together on the same server as long as game and mod versions match. There is no console version with its own server hosting - server hosting is aimed at the PC versions.

Automatic backups are not part of the plan - instead you have full control: you back up your save (Saves folder) and configuration yourself at any time via SFTP or the web file manager in your browser, and restore them immediately when needed.

After a successful order, our automated system activates your Project Zomboid server in around 120 seconds. You can upgrade to a bigger plan at any time later; world, mods and configuration are fully kept.