Playing Unturned with friends is always more fun when you’re in control of the world. Hosting your own server allows you to create custom gameplay experiences, add mods, and build communities around survival, PvP, or roleplaying. Whether you’re planning a private server for close friends or launching a public one for a large player base, this guide will walk you through how to host an Unturned server, explain your hosting options, and help you pick the right setup based on your goals and resources.

Unturned Server Hosting Options, Explained

Before jumping into setup steps, it's important to understand the different ways you can host an Unturned server. Each option offers a different balance of control, performance, and ease of use.

1. Peer-To-Peer (P2P) Hosting

Peer-to-peer hosting means one player starts a session and others join directly through Steam. This method is straightforward and doesn’t require port forwarding or configuration. However, it has serious limitations:

  • The host must stay online for others to play.
  • Performance depends entirely on the host’s PC and connection.
  • No advanced features like plugins, modding tools, or control panels.

This option is best for casual, one-off sessions with a small group of friends.

2. Local Dedicated Server

With a local dedicated server, you run Unturned in server mode on your own computer. This gives you much more control and allows the server to run 24/7 (as long as your PC is on).

Benefits:

  • You can install mods, use RocketMod/OpenMod, and tweak all server settings.
  • Better performance than P2P for larger groups.
  • Free, aside from electricity and internet costs.

Downsides:

  • Requires technical setup.
  • Your home network must support port forwarding.
  • Your IP address is exposed unless you use a service like Hamachi or ZeroTier.

3. Remote Dedicated Server

This option involves renting a bare-metal server from a hosting provider and installing Unturned on it. It’s a more advanced and scalable approach, ideal for community servers.

Advantages:

  • You get full root access and server control.
  • High uptime and bandwidth, depending on the provider.
  • Can run multiple servers or add automated scripts.

However, it also demands:

  • Linux or Windows server admin knowledge.
  • Security setup (firewalls, updates, backups).
  • Time investment for maintenance.

4. Game Server Hosting Providers

For the easiest experience, use a provider that specializes in Unturned server hosting. These providers handle setup, security, updates, and technical support for you. You get a user-friendly control panel, one-click mod installs, FTP access, and often DDoS protection.

This is a great choice if you want to get started quickly and don't have experience managing servers.

Setting Up An Unturned Server

If you want to learn how to host an Unturned server manually, here’s a step-by-step guide to setting it up on your own PC or rented server:

Step 1: Install Unturned

Ensure you have Unturned installed via Steam. You’ll also need SteamCMD for dedicated server installation.

Step 2: Install SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from the official Valve developer site and extract it into a folder (e.g., C:\steamcmd).

Step 3: Use SteamCMD To Download The Unturned Server

Open the SteamCMD console and run the following commands:

login anonymous
force_install_dir C:\UnturnedServer
app_update 1110390 validate
quit

Step 4: Create A Batch File To Launch The Server

In your server folder, create a .bat file (e.g., StartServer.bat) with:

@echo off
start Unturned.exe -nographics -batchmode +secureserver/MyServerName

Step 5: Customize Server Settings

Navigate to Servers\MyServerName\Server and edit Commands.dat. Add lines like:

Name "My Server Name"
Port 27015
Password "mypassword"
MaxPlayers 24

Step 6: Port Forwarding

Access your router and forward ports 27015 (game), 27016 (chat), and 27017 (Steam). This allows players to connect.

Step 7: Install Mods (Optional)

You can install RocketMod or OpenMod for advanced administration, or upload plugins to the appropriate folder.

Step 8: Share And Enjoy

Once configured, launch your server using your .bat file. Friends can join via IP or by searching the server list if it’s public.

Requirements For Unturned Server Hosting

To avoid lag, crashes, or poor gameplay, your hardware and connection must meet certain benchmarks—especially for public or modded servers. To successfully host an Unturned server on your computer, you’ll need to confirm you meet the system requirements mentioned below:

Minimum System Requirements

  • CPU: Dual-core 2.4 GHz or better
  • RAM: 4 GB (8 GB+ recommended for modded servers)
  • Storage: 10 GB free space (SSD preferred)
  • OS: Windows 10/11 or Ubuntu 20.04+
  • Network: Stable internet with upload speed of at least 5 Mbps
  • CPU: Quad-core 3.0 GHz+
  • RAM: 16 GB+
  • Network: 20+ Mbps upload
  • DDoS protection: Recommended to prevent attacks

Discover Dedicated Unturned Server Hosting with Pine Hosting

If managing a server manually feels overwhelming, Pine Hosting offers a powerful alternative. It’s built specifically for games like Unturned and provides an optimized experience for players and server owners alike.

Pine Hosting offers:

  • Instant Server Deployment: Get started in minutes with Unturned pre-installed.
  • DDoS Protection: Keep your server safe from attacks.
  • Custom Control Panel: Easily manage settings, maps, and plugins.
  • Automated Backups: Restore your world instantly if something goes wrong.
  • Mod and Plugin Support: Install RocketMod, OpenMod, or Workshop mods with a few clicks.
  • Scalable Plans: From small private servers to large community environments.

Learning how to host an Unturned server opens the door to a world of custom gameplay, private matches, and community-building. Whether you choose the manual route or opt for a hosting provider like Pine Hosting, the key is to pick the method that suits your technical comfort and server goals.

If you're creating a PvP battle zone, survival co-op server, or RP hub, Pine Hosting gives you the tools to run it smoothly without any technical setup required.

Ready to start your Unturned server hosting adventure? Choose your setup and start building your world today.