FiveM QBCore and ESX Server Hosting: Plans and Prices

Quick answer: a FiveM roleplay server needs between 2GB and 32GB of RAM depending on framework, script load and player count. Our FiveM plans start at €3.99/mo for 2GB and up to 16 slots, €7.99/mo for 4GB and up to 32 slots, €15.99/mo for 8GB and up to 64 slots, and €31.99/mo for 16GB and up to 128 slots, with NVMe storage and DDoS protection on every plan. ESX wants a little more headroom than QBCore because of its older code.

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What Makes FiveM RP Servers Different?

Running a FiveM roleplay server isn't like hosting Minecraft or a website. RP servers are resource-hungry beasts that need:

• High single-thread CPU performance for game tick processing
• Lots of RAM for scripts, player data, and caching
• Fast storage for quick resource loading
• Low latency for smooth player interactions
• DDoS protection because FiveM servers get attacked constantly

Regular VPS hosting works, but you'll get better results with providers who understand game server requirements.

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QBCore vs ESX: Which Framework Needs More Resources?

The two dominant FiveM RP frameworks have different resource appetites:

QBCore Requirements

QBCore is more modern and generally more efficient than ESX. It handles player data better and has cleaner code, meaning less RAM usage per player.

ESX Requirements

ESX (especially older versions) tends to be heavier. If you're starting fresh in 2026, QBCore is the better choice for performance.

QBox: The Newer Alternative

QBox, built on the ox stack, is gaining real traction in 2026 as the actively maintained modern option compared to QBCore, with premium script stores increasingly building for QBox first. Resource requirements are broadly similar to QBCore's numbers above. If you already run a healthy QBCore server, that is not a reason to migrate on its own, but if you are choosing a framework from scratch, it is worth comparing against QBCore before you commit. See our full ESX vs QBCore vs QBox comparison.

VORP (RedM) Requirements

For Red Dead Redemption 2 roleplay:

VORP is similar to QBCore in efficiency but assets tend to be larger.

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Why FiveM Servers Crash (And How to Prevent It)

Most FiveM server crashes come down to a few common issues:

1. Not Enough RAM

The #1 cause of crashes. When your server runs out of memory:

Server Thread 0: Out of memory

Signs you need more RAM:

• Server slows down as players join
• Random crashes during busy periods
• "Timed out" errors for players
• MySQL queries failing

Fix: Upgrade RAM or optimize scripts to use less memory.

2. Poor Quality Scripts

Free scripts from random forums are often:

• Poorly optimized
• Memory leaks galore
• Incompatible with other resources
• Abandoned without updates

Fix: Use reputable script sources, monitor resource performance with txAdmin or similar tools.

3. Database Issues

MySQL problems cause lag and crashes:

• Slow queries blocking game tick
• Connection pool exhaustion
• Unoptimized table structures

Fix: Use a quality MySQL setup, optimize queries, consider oxmysql for better performance.

4. DDoS Attacks

FiveM servers are frequent DDoS targets because:

• Disrupting RP causes drama
• Some people are just toxic
• Competitors trying to steal players

Fix: Use hosting with proper DDoS protection. This isn't optional for FiveM.

5. Cheap Hosting Overselling

Budget hosts pack too many servers on one machine:

• CPU contention during peak hours
• RAM being swapped to disk
• Network congestion

Fix: Choose quality hosting even if it costs more.

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FiveM Hosting Cost Breakdown

These are our own FiveM plans, so you can see exactly what each size costs and how many slots it is rated for:

Testing and private servers

• FIVEM-XXSmall: 2GB RAM, up to 16 slots, €3.99/mo
• FIVEM-XSmall: 4GB RAM, up to 32 slots, €7.99/mo
• Good for: development, a friend group, learning server administration

New RP communities

• FIVEM-Small: 6GB RAM, up to 48 slots, €11.99/mo
• FIVEM-Middle: 8GB RAM, up to 64 slots, €15.99/mo
• Good for: a first public QBCore or ESX server with a normal script load

Busy servers

• FIVEM-Large: 12GB RAM, up to 96 slots, €23.99/mo
• FIVEM-Xlarge: 16GB RAM, up to 128 slots, €31.99/mo
• Good for: established communities, heavy scripts, large MLO and vehicle libraries

Large networks

• FIVEM-Pro: 20GB RAM, up to 150 slots, €39.80/mo
• FIVEM-Ultra: 26GB RAM, up to 200 slots, €51.99/mo
• FIVEM-Xtreme: 32GB RAM, up to 250 slots, €63.99/mo
• Good for: peak time stability on large public networks

Every size in Europe runs on the same hardware line, an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X with DDR5, so moving up a plan buys RAM, slots and NVMe space rather than a faster CPU. The CPU is shared with the other servers on the node.

Warning signs of bad hosting:

• A slot count with no RAM, CPU or storage figure next to it
• "Unlimited resources" claims
• No DDoS protection mentioned
• HDD storage instead of SSD/NVMe

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Setting Up Your FiveM RP Server

Step 1: Server Artifacts

Always use the latest recommended artifacts:

# Download latest artifacts
wget https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/[version]/fx.tar.xz
tar -xvf fx.tar.xz

Never use artifacts more than a few months old - security fixes matter.

Step 2: Database Setup

Use MariaDB or MySQL 8:

# Install MariaDB
apt install mariadb-server -y
mysql_secure_installation

# Create database
mysql -u root -p
CREATE DATABASE fivem;
CREATE USER 'fivem'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'strongpassword';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON fivem.* TO 'fivem'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Step 3: Essential Resources

For QBCore servers, you need:

• qb-core
• qb-multicharacter
• qb-spawn
• qb-clothing
• qb-inventory
• oxmysql (database)
• ox_lib (utility library)

For ESX servers:

• es_extended
• esx_identity
• esx_society
• mysql-async or oxmysql

Step 4: Server.cfg Optimization

Key settings for RP servers:

# Performance settings
sv_maxclients 64
sv_scriptHookAllowed 0

# Anti-cheat (basic)
sv_enforceGameBuild 2944

# OneSync (required for 32+ players)
onesync on
onesync_population true

# Rate limiting
rateLimiter true
connectionRejected true

# Convars for optimization
set mysql_slow_query_warning 200
set mysql_debug false

Step 5: txAdmin Setup

txAdmin is essential for FiveM server management:

# Start server with txAdmin
./run.sh +set txAdminPort 40120

Access txAdmin at http://your-ip:40120 to:

• Monitor performance
• Restart resources
• Ban/kick players
• View crash logs
• Schedule restarts

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Optimizing FiveM RP Performance

Resource Tick Monitoring

Find laggy scripts:

-- In server console
resmon 1

-- Shows resource tick times
-- Anything over 1ms consistently is a problem

Memory Optimization

Reduce RAM usage:

# server.cfg
set sv_enforceGameBuild 2944
set onesync_distanceCullVehicles true
set onesync_workaround763185 true

Database Optimization

For oxmysql, optimal settings:

{
  "connectionLimit": 25,
  "acquireTimeout": 30000,
  "waitForConnections": true
}

Player Count vs Performance

More players = much more resources:

This is why 128-player servers need serious hardware.

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Cheap FiveM Hosting: Is It Worth It?

That depends on what cheap means. A small plan on good hardware is fine, an oversold box is not.

What Oversold Hosting Costs You

Player Experience:

• Lag and rubberbanding
• Disconnections during RP scenes
• Long loading times
• Inventory issues and data loss

Your Time:

• Constant troubleshooting
• Dealing with crash reports
• Player complaints
• Migration hassles when you eventually upgrade

Community Growth:

• New players leave due to lag
• Experienced RPers won't stick around
• Hard to compete with smooth servers

When Cheap Hosting Makes Sense

An entry plan (FIVEM-XXSmall at €3.99/mo or FIVEM-XSmall at €7.99/mo) is fine for:

• Development and testing
• Private servers for friends (16 to 32 players)
• Learning server administration
• Temporary and event servers

What you should not do is run a busy public RP server on 2GB. Match the plan to the player count you actually hit at peak, and move up a size when you outgrow it.

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QBCore Server Setup Checklist

Starting a new QBCore server? Here's what you need:

Core Framework

• qb-core (latest version)
• oxmysql (database connection)
• ox_lib (utility functions)

Character System

• qb-multicharacter
• qb-spawn
• qb-apartments or qb-houses

Essential Scripts

• qb-inventory
• qb-clothing
• qb-policejob
• qb-ambulancejob
• qb-mechanicjob
• qb-phone (or alternatives like npwd)
• qb-banking
• qb-vehicleshop

Quality of Life

• qb-hud
• qb-target or ox_target
• qb-menu
• qb-input

Administration

• txAdmin
• qb-adminmenu

Anti-Cheat

• Choose carefully - many cause more problems than they solve

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FiveM Hosting Requirements by Server Type

Serious RP Server

Heavy scripts, detailed economy, many jobs:

• Plan: FIVEM-Xlarge (16GB) or FIVEM-Pro (20GB)
• CPU: fast single-thread speed (4.6GHz+)
• Storage: 130 to 140GB NVMe
• Slots: up to 128 or up to 150

Casual RP Server

Simpler scripts, more freeform:

• Plan: FIVEM-Middle (8GB)
• CPU: fast single-thread speed (4.6GHz+)
• Storage: 100GB NVMe
• Slots: up to 64

Drift/Racing Server

Custom cars, racing scripts:

• Plan: FIVEM-Small (6GB) or FIVEM-Middle (8GB)
• CPU: fast single-thread speed (4.6GHz+)
• Storage: 75 to 100GB NVMe
• Slots: up to 48 or up to 64

Zombie/Survival Server

Unique gameplay, survival mechanics:

• Plan: FIVEM-Middle (8GB) or FIVEM-Large (12GB)
• CPU: fast single-thread speed (4.6GHz+)
• Storage: 100 to 120GB NVMe
• Slots: up to 64 or up to 96

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Choosing the Right FiveM Host

Must-Have Features

✅ NVMe Storage - SSDs minimum, NVMe preferred for resource loading

✅ DDoS Protection - Non-negotiable for FiveM

✅ Support with published hours so you know when a human answers. Ours is 12/7, 08:00 to 20:00 UTC.

✅ Instant Setup - Don't wait days for server deployment

✅ Root Access or Full Control - You need to tweak things

✅ Backup System - For when things go wrong

Nice-to-Have Features

• Server management panel (or you can use txAdmin)
• Automatic updates
• Multiple locations for testing latency
• Discord integration for alerts

Red Flags

❌ Claiming 128 slots on 8GB RAM

❌ No information about hardware specs

❌ Only HDD storage

❌ "Unlimited" everything

❌ No refund policy

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Our FiveM Hosting

At Space-Node we run managed FiveM game servers with txAdmin pre-installed, so QBCore and ESX are a control panel install rather than an SSH session:

• NVMe storage for fast resource loading
• AMD Ryzen 9 9950X with DDR5 in Europe, for game tick performance
• DDoS protection included on every plan
• 9 regions: Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Canada, USA (California), USA (Virginia), Singapore, India, Australia
• 12/7 support (08:00 to 20:00 UTC) from gamers who understand FiveM
• Instant deployment, server ready in minutes

FIVEM-Middle is the usual starting point for a new QBCore or ESX community, and you can upgrade to a larger size later without losing your data. Specs, regions and checkout: FiveM server hosting.

If you would rather manage the box yourself instead of using a game panel, our VPS hosting plans run FiveM too.

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Related Guides

• Why Your FiveM Server Keeps Crashing (And How to Fix It)
• FiveM RAM Requirements Guide
• Best VPS Hosting Netherlands
• VPS Streaming Setup Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does FiveM server hosting cost?

At Space-Node a FiveM server starts at €3.99/mo for 2GB and up to 16 slots. A 32 slot server is €7.99/mo (FIVEM-XSmall), 64 slots €15.99/mo (FIVEM-Middle), 128 slots €31.99/mo (FIVEM-Xlarge), and the largest size, 32GB with up to 250 slots, is €63.99/mo. DDoS protection and NVMe storage are included on every plan and billing is in EUR.

Is QBCore better than ESX for FiveM?

In 2026, QBCore is generally the better choice. It's more actively developed, better optimized, and uses less RAM than ESX. QBCore's modern codebase also makes it easier to find compatible scripts and developers. ESX still works but carries technical debt from older code.

Why does my FiveM server keep crashing?

The most common causes are: not enough RAM for your script load (8GB carries a 64 slot RP server on our plans, a heavy script pack wants 12GB or more), poorly optimized scripts (monitor with resmon), database issues (optimize MySQL queries), and DDoS attacks (use protected hosting). Check your server console and txAdmin logs for specific error messages.

Can I host FiveM on a cheap VPS?

You can, but you take on artifacts, the database, the firewall and updates yourself. FiveM RP also leans on single thread performance, which is the first thing an oversold VPS runs out of at peak. For testing or a small private server that is fine. For a public community, take a plan sized for the slot count you actually reach.

How many players can a 16GB RAM FiveM server handle?

Our 16GB plan, FIVEM-Xlarge, is rated for up to 128 slots at €31.99/mo. How many players it holds comfortably depends on your resources, so check the heavy ones with resmon. If tick times climb while the city is full, FIVEM-Pro (20GB, up to 150 slots) is the next size up.

What's the best location for FiveM servers in Europe?

Netherlands (Amsterdam) offers the best connectivity for European FiveM communities. Dutch data centers provide 10-30ms latency to Western Europe and decent connections to Eastern Europe and North America. Germany and France are also good alternatives.