Zombie Panic! Source server hosting for survivors and zombies
Run a Zombie Panic! Source server where survivors hold out and the dead keep coming. The free dedicated server runs Survival, Objective and Hardcore with Workshop maps, ZPS’s own admin system and SourceMod.
- Free dedicated server for Windows and Linux
- Survival, Objective and Hardcore modes
- Workshop maps mounted from addonlist.txt
- Built-in admin system, SourceMod and AngelScript
- SlotsSet with -maxplayers. The developers do not lock servers to 24, and several community servers run up to 32.
- 24 by default, more allowed
- PortsThe Source engine defaults: 27015 for game, queries and RCON, 27020 for SourceTV.
- 27015 UDP/TCP · 27020 UDP
- Server
- SteamCMD app 17505, anonymous
- Version
- 3.3 (October 2025)
- Admin
- ZPS admin system · SourceMod
- Scripting
- AngelScript
Game modes
- Survival
- Objective
- Hardcore
- Steam Workshop
- SourceMod
- AngelScript
Game facts from the Zombie Panic! Source team’s update notes, the Steam store and the Valve Developer Community, checked in October 2026.
- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations
Zombie Panic! Source plans are being prepared
Tell us your slot count, modes and plugins, 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 ZPS server be?
Zombie Panic! Source is a light Source server; slots and plugins decide the load.
Find your size
| Feature |
Small
Up to 12 slots
|
Recommended Standard
Up to 24 slots
|
Large
Up to 32 slots
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the players, bots and every plugin. | 1 GB | 2 GB | 3 GB |
| CPU coresThe server simulates every tick on its main thread, so fast cores matter most. | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Disk spaceThe game takes about 5 GB; leave room for Workshop maps, custom content and logs. | 10 GB | 15 GB | 15 GB |
| Game modeObjective maps run scripted events; Hardcore adds tougher rules on the same maps. | Survival | Survival and Objective | All modes and plugins |
| Typical use | Friends and small rounds | A standard 24-slot community server | A busy server with plugins |
-
Small
Up to 12 slots
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the players, bots and every plugin.
- 1 GB
- CPU coresThe server simulates every tick on its main thread, so fast cores matter most.
- 1
- Disk spaceThe game takes about 5 GB; leave room for Workshop maps, custom content and logs.
- 10 GB
- Game modeObjective maps run scripted events; Hardcore adds tougher rules on the same maps.
- Survival
- Typical use
- Friends and small rounds
-
Recommended
Standard
Up to 24 slots
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the players, bots and every plugin.
- 2 GB
- CPU coresThe server simulates every tick on its main thread, so fast cores matter most.
- 2
- Disk spaceThe game takes about 5 GB; leave room for Workshop maps, custom content and logs.
- 15 GB
- Game modeObjective maps run scripted events; Hardcore adds tougher rules on the same maps.
- Survival and Objective
- Typical use
- A standard 24-slot community server
-
Large
Up to 32 slots
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the players, bots and every plugin.
- 3 GB
- CPU coresThe server simulates every tick on its main thread, so fast cores matter most.
- 2
- Disk spaceThe game takes about 5 GB; leave room for Workshop maps, custom content and logs.
- 15 GB
- Game modeObjective maps run scripted events; Hardcore adds tougher rules on the same maps.
- All modes and plugins
- Typical use
- A busy server with plugins
The ZPS team publishes no server hardware figures; these are starting points for a Source server. Plugins and bots add load.
Modes, maps and admin tools
What a Zombie Panic! Source server brings, and where each part is configured.
Three modes
Survival, Objective and Hardcore, switched with the maps you run and settings such as sv_zps_hardcore.
Workshop maps
List Workshop items in addons/addonlist.txt; players download only the map currently running.
Built-in admin system
zps/data/adminsystem.json holds admins, bans and warnings. ZPS does not read SourceMod’s admin lists, so add admins to both.
SourceMod
Supported with game data for each ZPS version, for admin menus and community plugins.
AngelScript
The official scripting API, loaded from default_plugins.json. Some script features mark the server as Custom.
Custom content
Non-Workshop content goes into zps/custom. Back up your JSON config files before updates, since SteamCMD can overwrite them.
Set up your ZPS server
Four steps to the first panic.
-
Pick slots and modes
24 slots suit most servers; choose the size with the table above.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations; ping matters in a shooter.
-
Set admins and maps
Add admins to adminsystem.json, write your rules in server.cfg and list Workshop maps in addonlist.txt.
-
Invite your players
Players find the server in the server browser or connect from the console with the address.
Other game servers you might like
Left 4 Dead 2
Co-op campaigns and 4v4 Versus with custom VPKs and SourceMod.
No More Room in Hell
Co-op zombie survival for eight, with SourceMod.
Counter-Strike: Source
Surf, bhop, zombie or 5v5 with SourceMod and FastDL.
Garry’s Mod
Sandbox, TTT, DarkRP or Prop Hunt with Workshop content.
Frequently asked questions
How many players can join a ZPS server?
The default is 24 slots, set with -maxplayers. The developers do not lock servers to 24, and several community servers run up to 32.
Which ports does the server use?
The Source engine defaults: UDP 27015 for the game and queries, TCP 27015 for RCON and UDP 27020 for SourceTV.
How is the server installed?
With SteamCMD as app 17505 and an anonymous login, on Windows or Linux, started with -game zps. On Linux, the -linux-extra-bins option uses the OpenSSL that ships with the server.
How do I add admins?
Add them to ZPS’s own admin system in zps/data/adminsystem.json. If you also run SourceMod, add them there as well, because ZPS does not read SourceMod’s admin lists.
How do I add Workshop maps?
List the Workshop items in zps/addons/addonlist.txt and the server mounts them. Players download only the map that is running when they join.
Where does custom content go?
Into zps/custom. Back up your JSON config files before an update, because SteamCMD can overwrite them.
Can I use SourceMod and AngelScript?
Yes. SourceMod is supported with game data for each version. AngelScript is the official scripting API and loads plugins from default_plugins.json; some script features mark the server as Custom.
Which game modes are there?
Survival, Objective and Hardcore. Hardcore is switched on with sv_zps_hardcore, and AngelScript or SourceMod can add custom modes.
How do I make map downloads reliable?
Use sv_downloadurl with a web server that holds your maps. The developers suggest keeping maps uncompressed to avoid download problems.
Is a 64-bit server coming?
The team announced in December 2025 that it is moving ZPS to the TF2 SDK branch, which brings 64-bit builds. It has no release date yet; today’s server is 32-bit.
Ready to hold out against the horde?
Tell us your slot count, modes and plugins, and we will help you pick the right Zombie Panic! Source server.