6 Best Free Starbound Server Hosting Services in 2025

If you're a Starbound fan and want to enjoy multiplayer gameplay with friends, having a reliable game server is essential. The good news? In 2025, several hosting providers offer free trials or free-tier server hosting for Starbound, making it easier to test performance before committing to a paid plan.

This article highlights 6 of the best free Starbound server hosting services, with a quick comparison table, pros and cons of each, and access links. Among them, LightNode stands out for its flexible pricing and strong performance.

📝 Quick Comparison Table

Provider	Free Tier / Trial Duration	Key Features	Recommended For
LightNode	Free credits on sign-up	Hourly billing, global nodes, NVMe SSD	Beginners & flexible usage
Akliz	Free trial (up to 24 hours)	One-click modpack install, low latency	Modded servers
ScalaCube	Free trial option	Pre-installed Starbound, instant setup	Quick start servers
GameServers.com	24-hour test server	Reliable infrastructure, DDoS protection	Stable long-term hosting
Nodecraft	24-hour free trial	High-performance hardware, easy scaling	Larger groups or long sessions
Server.pro	Free plan available	Basic resources, web-based console	Small private servers

1️⃣ LightNode – Flexible and Cost-Effective Option

Visit LightNode

LightNode is well-known for its hourly-billing VPS hosting that works perfectly for Starbound servers. With free credits on sign-up, you can spin up a server for free to test performance. Deployments take less than 2 minutes, and you can choose from 40+ global data centers, ensuring low latency wherever you are.

Pros:

• Free credits available for testing
• Hourly billing, pay only for what you use
• Fast NVMe SSD storage and high-frequency CPUs
• Multiple OS images and easy configuration

Cons:

• Free tier limited to credits only
• Requires manual setup compared to game-dedicated hosts

2️⃣ Akliz – Optimized for Modded Starbound Servers

Visit Akliz

Akliz is a popular game server provider with a free trial (up to 24 hours) for Starbound hosting. Its biggest strength is one-click modpack support, making it perfect for modded gameplay with friends.

Pros:

• Easy modpack installation
• Low latency network for US and EU players
• Simple web-based control panel

Cons:

• Trial duration limited to one day
• Slightly higher cost after trial

3️⃣ ScalaCube – Instant Setup for Beginners

Visit ScalaCube

ScalaCube offers a free trial option for Starbound servers, allowing you to test performance before upgrading. The platform has pre-installed Starbound server files, so you can launch a world in just a few clicks.

Pros:

• Quick setup, no manual configuration
• Free trial for testing
• Beginner-friendly dashboard

Cons:

• Limited server resources in free plan
• Can experience lag on peak hours

GameServers.com – Reliable and Stable Hosting

Visit GameServers.com

GameServers.com is one of the most established names in game hosting. They offer a 24-hour test server to check their infrastructure before buying. Known for DDoS protection and 99.9% uptime, it's ideal for long-term Starbound servers.

Pros:

• Highly reliable network infrastructure
• Strong DDoS protection
• 24-hour trial for testing

Cons:

• Interface less modern than competitors
• No hourly billing options

5️⃣ Nodecraft – High-Performance Trial Servers

Visit Nodecraft

Nodecraft provides a 24-hour free trial, perfect for testing Starbound servers with friends. With SSD-based hosting and scalable plans, it’s great for larger multiplayer sessions.

Pros:

• Fast server hardware, low lag
• Easy scaling to bigger plans
• Good support for Starbound servers

Cons:

• Trial time limited to 24 hours
• Higher pricing for premium plans

Server.pro – Always Free Plan Available

Visit Server.pro

Server.pro offers a completely free Starbound server plan with limited resources, perfect for small friend groups or testing mods. While performance is capped compared to paid options, it’s a good entry point for beginners.

Pros:

• Free forever plan available
• Simple web-based management
• Quick server setup

Cons:

• Limited RAM and slots in free plan
• Server shuts down when inactive

✅ Final Thoughts

All six providers give you a chance to try Starbound server hosting for free in 2025. If you want flexibility and free credits, LightNode is a strong pick. For modded gameplay, Akliz or ScalaCube make setup easy. For a completely free option, Server.pro is worth checking out.

❓ FAQ

1. How to host a Starbound server?

You can host a Starbound server by renting a VPS or game server hosting service. Install the Starbound server files, configure your world settings, and forward the necessary ports. Providers like LightNode, Akliz, and ScalaCube offer one-click or manual setup options.

2. What's the best MC server hosting?

For Minecraft hosting, providers like Apex Hosting, Akliz, and Nodecraft are well-known for low latency, mod support, and scalability. LightNode VPS can also host Minecraft servers with full control.

3. Does Starbound have dedicated servers?

Yes. Starbound provides official server files that you can run on any dedicated machine or VPS, allowing you to host multiplayer sessions independently from your local game client.

4. What is the best server hosting for modpacks?

Akliz and ScalaCube are great choices for modpack hosting due to their one-click installation features. Alternatively, LightNode gives you full control to manually install any modpack.