# OpenTTD server hosting for your transport empire > Host an OpenTTD dedicated server for up to 15 companies: public, invite-only or local, NewGRFs from the online content service, rcon and autoclean. Run an OpenTTD game that keeps going while you sleep. The dedicated server hosts up to 15 companies, lists itself publicly or stays invite-only, and loads the NewGRFs and scripts your map needs. - Dedicated OpenTTD 15 server (openttd -D) - Up to 15 companies, 25 players by default - Public, invite-only or local games - NewGRFs, AIs and game scripts See plans Find your size Companies max\_clients sets how many people may connect; it is 25 by default. Up to 15 (max\_companies)\ Ports 3979 is the game port on TCP and UDP; 3977 is the admin port for management tools. 3979 TCP/UDP · admin 3977\ Version 15.3 (stable)\ Visibility Invite-only servers are joined with an invite code that starts with +. Public, invite-only or local\ Content NewGRFs, AIs, game scripts\ Crossplay Windows · macOS · Linux Options - Invite codes - NewGRF - AI companies - Game scripts - rcon - Autoclean - Scenarios Game facts from the OpenTTD documentation, wiki and source code, checked in October 2026. - DDoS protection - 20 game server locations ## OpenTTD plans are being prepared Tell us your map size, the number of companies and the NewGRFs you use, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online. [Contact sales](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) [Open a ticket](https://hyperdc.com/support/new-ticket) ## How much does an OpenTTD server need? OpenTTD is light. Map size, the number of vehicles and heavy NewGRF sets decide how hard the server works. | Feature | **Small** Up to 5 players | Recommended **Company game** Up to 15 players | **Busy server** Up to 25 players | **Large map** 25+ players or a huge map | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more. | 1 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB+ | | CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2+ | | Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content. | 5 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB+ | | Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time. | 256×256 | 512×512 | 1024×1024 | 2048×2048+ | | Typical use | Friends sharing one company or a few | A full company game | Public server with many visitors | Big maps with heavy NewGRF sets | - ### Small Up to 5 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more. 1 GB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 1\ Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content. 5 GB\ Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time. 256×256\ Typical use Friends sharing one company or a few - Recommended ### Company game Up to 15 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more. 1 GB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 2\ Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content. 5 GB\ Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time. 512×512\ Typical use A full company game - ### Busy server Up to 25 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more. 2 GB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 2\ Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content. 10 GB\ Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time. 1024×1024\ Typical use Public server with many visitors - ### Large map 25+ players or a huge map Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more. 4 GB+\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 2+\ Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content. 10 GB+\ Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time. 2048×2048+\ Typical use Big maps with heavy NewGRF sets OpenTTD publishes no server hardware figures; these starting points are our estimate. Each client uses about 1.5 KB/s of bandwidth in each direction, according to the OpenTTD documentation. ## Visibility, content and admin tools Run the game the way your group likes it, from a private invite to a public server. ### Public, invite-only or local server\_game\_type decides who can find the game. Invite-only servers are joined with an invite code that starts with +. ### NewGRFs and scripts Download NewGRFs, AIs and game scripts from the online content service with the content commands in the server console. ### rcon Set rcon\_pw on the server, then send console commands from your game with rcon, the password and the command. ### Autoclean autoclean\_companies removes companies that have been inactive for too long, and reset\_company does it by hand. ### Restart date restart\_game\_year starts a new map when the game reaches the year you choose. ### Passwords Protect the server with a password, and let each company set its own password in the company window. ## Set up your OpenTTD server Four steps to your first train on the server. 1. ### Plan your game Choose map size, companies and NewGRFs, then pick a size from the table above. 2. ### Pick a location Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations. 3. ### Start a map or load a save Start a new game, or load your save or scenario with -g, and set the server name, visibility and password. 4. ### Invite your players Players search the internet list, add the server by address or enter the invite code. ## Other game servers you might like [See every game](https://hyperdc.com/game-server-hosting) [See all simulation and strategy servers](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/simulation-game-servers) ### Factorio Headless Factorio 2.0 and Space Age with mods and RCON. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/factorio) ### Satisfactory Co-op factories with Steam and Epic crossplay and your own saves. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/satisfactory) ### Euro Truck Simulator 2 An always-on Convoy session for up to 8 drivers. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/euro-truck-simulator-2) ### American Truck Simulator An always-open Convoy for up to 8 drivers, with your DLCs. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/american-truck-simulator) ## Frequently asked questions Still have a question? Send us a message and our team will reply by email. [Contact us](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) [Open a ticket](https://hyperdc.com/support/new-ticket) ### How do I run an OpenTTD dedicated server? Start OpenTTD with -D (a capital D). Add -g and a file name to load a save or scenario. On Linux and other Unix systems, -f runs the server in the background. ### Which ports does OpenTTD use? 3979 on TCP and UDP for the game, set with server\_port. The admin port, 3977 by default, is for management tools. ### How many companies and players can join? Up to 15 companies; max\_companies is 15 by default. max\_clients sets how many people may connect and is 25 by default. Several players can share one company. ### How do players find my server? That depends on server\_game\_type. Public servers appear in the internet list, invite-only servers are joined with an invite code that starts with +, and local servers are for the local network only. ### Can I use NewGRFs, AIs and game scripts? Yes. In the server console, run content update, select items with content select and get them with content download. Players who miss a NewGRF can use Find missing content online when they join. ### Can I load my existing game? Yes. Upload the save to the server and start it with -g and the file name, or load it from the console with ls, cd and load. ### How do I administer the server from the game? Set an rcon password on the server with rcon\_pw. In your game, open the console and type rcon, the password and the command in quotes, for example a kick. ### What happens to abandoned companies? With autoclean\_companies on, the server removes companies that stay inactive too long; autoclean\_protected and autoclean\_unprotected set the time for companies with and without a password. reset\_company removes one by hand. ### Does the game pause when someone joins? By default, yes: pause\_on\_join is on, so the game waits while a new player loads the map. Turn it off on busy servers. ### Can players on different systems play together? Yes. OpenTTD runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and players on all three join the same server, as long as they use the same game version. ## Ready to build your network? Tell us your map, companies and NewGRFs, and we will help you pick the right OpenTTD server. See plans [Contact sales](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) --- Source: \ Updated: 2026-10-09