Space Engineers server hosting for builders and factions
Run a persistent Space Engineers world for your faction: ships, stations and planets that keep going while you are offline. Set block and PCU limits, load mods and invite console players with crossplay.
- Survival or creative worlds with your own settings
- Steam Workshop and mod.io mods
- Crossplay with Xbox and PlayStation players
- PCU and block limits per player or faction
- PlayersSet MaxPlayers in the server settings; the dedicated server tool offers 2–64. More players and grids need a faster CPU.
- 4 by default, up to 64
- PortChange it in the server settings. The optional Remote API uses port 8080.
- 27016 UDP
- CPUKeen recommends 4.5 GHz, 3 logical cores and 10 GB of memory; single-core speed keeps the sim speed up.
- 3.2 GHz+, 3 cores (minimum)
- Mods
- Steam Workshop · mod.io
- CrossplayCrossplay servers can only use mod.io mods, not Steam Workshop mods.
- PC · Xbox · PlayStation
- Block limits
- Off by default (BlockLimitsEnabled)
Server styles
- Survival
- Creative
- PvE
- PvP
- Crossplay
- Modded
- Economy
Game facts from the official Space Engineers wiki and Keen Software House, checked in October 2026.
- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations
Space Engineers plans are being prepared
Tell us your player count, world and mods, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online.
How big should a Space Engineers server be?
Sim speed depends on single-core speed, grids and players. Keen’s figures are 6 GB as the minimum and 10 GB as recommended.
Find your size
| Feature |
Small faction
Up to 4 players
|
Recommended Community
Up to 16 players
|
Large
16+ players or big worlds
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore. | 6–8 GB | 10–12 GB | 16 GB+ |
| CPU coresKeen asks for 3 logical cores at 3.2 GHz or more; higher clock speeds raise the sim speed more than extra cores. | 3 | 3–4 | 4+ |
| Disk spaceThe server needs about 8 GB, plus room for saves, backups, logs and mods. | 20 GB | 30 GB | 50 GB |
| Typical use | A small faction or friends | A community with stations and ships | Big worlds, PvP or many mods |
-
Small faction
Up to 4 players
- Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore.
- 6–8 GB
- CPU coresKeen asks for 3 logical cores at 3.2 GHz or more; higher clock speeds raise the sim speed more than extra cores.
- 3
- Disk spaceThe server needs about 8 GB, plus room for saves, backups, logs and mods.
- 20 GB
- Typical use
- A small faction or friends
-
Recommended
Community
Up to 16 players
- Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore.
- 10–12 GB
- CPU coresKeen asks for 3 logical cores at 3.2 GHz or more; higher clock speeds raise the sim speed more than extra cores.
- 3–4
- Disk spaceThe server needs about 8 GB, plus room for saves, backups, logs and mods.
- 30 GB
- Typical use
- A community with stations and ships
-
Large
16+ players or big worlds
- Memory (RAM)Working memory for the world, the players and every mod. Leave headroom: memory use grows as players explore.
- 16 GB+
- CPU coresKeen asks for 3 logical cores at 3.2 GHz or more; higher clock speeds raise the sim speed more than extra cores.
- 4+
- Disk spaceThe server needs about 8 GB, plus room for saves, backups, logs and mods.
- 50 GB
- Typical use
- Big worlds, PvP or many mods
Keen lists 3.2 GHz, 3 logical cores and 6 GB as the minimum and 4.5 GHz, 3 cores and 10 GB as recommended. Large moving grids lower the sim speed the most.
Worlds, limits, mods and crossplay
Keep a busy world fast and fair for everyone on it.
Survival or creative
Start a new world from a scenario or upload your own save, then set inventory size, assembler speed and more.
PCU and block limits
Limits are off by default. Set BlockLimitsEnabled per player or per faction, with a TotalPCU, to keep the sim speed up.
Steam Workshop and mod.io
Players download the mods a server needs when they join; the first time can take a while.
Crossplay
PC, Xbox and PlayStation players play together through Epic Online Services; crossplay servers use mod.io mods only.
Scripts and plugins
In-game scripts are on by default. Mods with code run on a dedicated server only when the code is server-side.
Auto-saves and cleanup
The world saves every 5 minutes by default, and trash removal clears debris and leftover grids.
Set up your Space Engineers server
Four steps to your faction’s first launch.
-
Pick size and world
Use the table above, then pick a scenario or bring your own save.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your faction from our 20 game server locations.
-
Set limits and mods
Set MaxPlayers, block and PCU limits, add your mods and choose whether console players may join.
-
Join the server
Open Join Game and find the server in the Servers tab, or use Direct Connect with the address and port.
Other game servers you might like
Frequently asked questions
Can Xbox and PlayStation players join?
Yes. Space Engineers has crossplay between PC, Xbox and PlayStation through Epic Online Services, and a dedicated server set up for crossplay accepts console players. Crossplay servers can only use mod.io mods.
How many players can a server hold?
MaxPlayers is 4 by default, and the dedicated server tool offers up to 64. More players and grids need a faster CPU to keep the sim speed up.
What hardware does Keen recommend?
For the dedicated server: at least 3.2 GHz, 3 logical cores and 6 GB of memory; recommended are 4.5 GHz, 3 logical cores and 10 GB. Single-core speed matters most.
Why is my sim speed low?
Usually because of large moving grids and physics. Convert parked ships to stations, clear debris, keep trash removal on and set PCU limits.
How do I set block limits?
BlockLimitsEnabled is NONE by default. Choose GLOBALLY, PER_FACTION or PER_PLAYER, and set TotalPCU and MaxBlocksPerPlayer.
Which mods can I use?
Steam Workshop and mod.io mods; players download them when they join. On crossplay servers only mod.io mods work, and mods with code run only when their code is server-side.
Which port does the server use?
27016/UDP by default, and you can change it. The optional Remote API listens on port 8080.
Does Space Engineers 2 have dedicated servers?
Not yet. Space Engineers 2 is in early access; Keen plans player-hosted co-op first and dedicated servers later. This page is for Space Engineers.
How do players join?
Open Join Game and pick the server in the Servers tab, or use Direct Connect with the address. The Favorites and History tabs help players find it again.
How often does the world save?
Every 5 minutes by default (AutoSaveInMinutes). Back up the save before big changes or mod updates.
Ready to build in orbit?
Tell us your players, world and mods, and we will help you pick the right Space Engineers server.