TOP 10 Free Assetto Corsa Server Hosting (May 2025)

Looking to host your Assetto Corsa server for free or at minimal cost? Whether you're organizing a race night with friends or setting up a modded track day, you don't have to break the bank.

In fact, several platforms offer free trials, always-free plans, or extremely low-cost VPS solutions suitable for running Assetto Corsa multiplayer servers.

🏁 Quick Comparison Table

Hosting Provider	Free Tier	Mod Support	Control Level	Region Options	Best For
ZAP-Hosting	✅ Trial	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐	EU, US	Beginners with GUI needs
Visit LightNode	❌ (Cheap hourly)	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	40+ global regions	Modded servers, flexibility
DigitalOcean	✅ $200/60 days	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Global	Devs with Linux skills
AWS Free Tier	✅ 12-months	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Global	Tech-savvy users
Vultr	✅ $100/30 days	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Global	Mid-level users
Google Cloud	✅ $300/90 days	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Global	Advanced users
Oracle Cloud	✅ Always-Free	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐	Global (limited)	Budget-conscious users
Visit Pterodactyl	✅ Free panel	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Depends on VPS host	DIY control freaks
Home Hosting (PC)	✅ 100% free	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐	Local only	Local friends-only lobby
Aternos	❌ (Not for AC)	❌ No	❌	N/A	Minecraft only

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1. ZAP-Hosting – Simple Setup with Trial

ZAP-Hosting offers pre-configured Assetto Corsa servers with a beginner-friendly interface. Their free trial lets you test the waters, and upgrading is seamless.

• Pros:
  ✅ Easy GUI setup
  ✅ Mod and plugin support
  ✅ Pre-made templates

• Cons:
  ❌ Trial is limited in time
  ❌ Pricing increases quickly after trial

🔗 Visit ZAP-Hosting

2. LightNode – Cheap Hourly VPS with Full Control

LightNode doesn’t offer a “free tier,” but their hourly billing model makes it almost free for short-term use. You can run an Assetto Corsa server for just $0.012/hour, ideal for weekend races or one-time events. Full root access means total modding freedom.

• Pros:
  ✅ Hourly billing – great for testing
  ✅ 40+ global locations
  ✅ Full root control (Linux/Windows)
  ✅ Fast deployment in 2 mins

• Cons:
  ❌ No permanent free plan
  ❌ High performance plans can cost more

🔗 Visit LightNode

3. DigitalOcean – $200 in Free Credits

With a $200, 60-day free credit, DigitalOcean is a top pick for developers. You’ll need to install and configure the Assetto Corsa server manually, but it’s well-documented.

• Pros:
  ✅ $200 credit is generous
  ✅ Fast SSD servers
  ✅ Global datacenters

• Cons:
  ❌ Requires Linux knowledge
  ❌ Billing starts quickly if idle

🔗 Visit DigitalOcean

4. AWS Free Tier – 12-Month Cloud Hosting

Amazon offers a free t2.micro EC2 instance for 12 months, which can host light servers or act as a test environment.

• Pros:
  ✅ Long free duration
  ✅ Scalable later
  ✅ Full server control

• Cons:
  ❌ Micro instance limited to 1GB RAM
  ❌ Steep learning curve for beginners

🔗 Visit AWS Free Tier

5. Vultr – $100 Free Credit for New Users

Vultr provides $100 free credits for 30 days. It supports full server OS choices and allows you to manually set up an Assetto Corsa instance.

• Pros:
  ✅ Good performance per dollar
  ✅ API & automation options
  ✅ Quick server spin-up

• Cons:
  ❌ No GUI setup
  ❌ Short trial window

🔗 Visit Vultr

6. Google Cloud – Massive $300 Trial Credits

Google Cloud’s $300 free credit (90-day) is excellent if you're comfortable managing firewall rules and server images.

• Pros:
  ✅ Largest free credit in the list
  ✅ Advanced networking options
  ✅ Scalable to enterprise use

• Cons:
  ❌ More complex setup
  ❌ Billing traps if idle servers are forgotten

🔗 Visit Google Cloud

7. Oracle Cloud – Always-Free VPS

Oracle gives you two always-free VM instances, perfect for test servers or private play sessions. Not high-end, but it works.

• Pros:
  ✅ Truly free, forever
  ✅ Supports Linux OS
  ✅ Decent for private matches

• Cons:
  ❌ Only 1GB RAM
  ❌ Fewer global locations

🔗 Visit Oracle Cloud

8. Pterodactyl Panel – Host Your Own Game Panel

Pterodactyl is a free, open-source server management panel. You’ll need your own VPS (like LightNode or DO), but once set up, it gives you an easy UI to manage game servers.

• Pros:
  ✅ Free and open-source
  ✅ Full GUI for game management
  ✅ Secure and modern

• Cons:
  ❌ Setup can take time
  ❌ Requires existing VPS

🔗 Visit Pterodactyl

9. Home Hosting – Use Your Own PC

You can run an Assetto Corsa server locally for friends. Free and simple, but not ideal for public use.

• Pros:
  ✅ 100% free
  ✅ Fast local performance
  ✅ Good for LAN games

• Cons:
  ❌ Requires port forwarding
  ❌ Not stable for large lobbies

🔗 Guide to Hosting AC Locally

10. Aternos – Not for Assetto Corsa

Aternos is often mentioned in free hosting lists, but it does not support Assetto Corsa. It's designed specifically for Minecraft hosting.

• Pros:
  ✅ Popular with Minecraft users
  ✅ Fully free

• Cons:
  ❌ No AC support
  ❌ Limited to Minecraft only

🔗 Visit Aternos

⚙️ Hosting Tips

• Open TCP/UDP 9600, HTTP 8081, and UDP 9601 for Assetto Corsa server access
• Run servers on Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+) for best compatibility
• Use screen or tmux for terminal session management
• Always check for CPU single-thread performance – AC is CPU-sensitive!

📌 Assetto Corsa Server Hosting – FAQ

How to host an Assetto Corsa server?

To host an Assetto Corsa server, you have two main options:

1. Using your own PC (Home Hosting)

   • Open Assetto Corsa's server tool in the installation folder.
   • Configure server_cfg.ini and entry_list.ini for tracks, cars, and session settings.
   • Open required ports on your router (usually TCP/UDP 9600, HTTP 8081).
   • Share your public IP with friends to join.

2. Using a VPS or cloud provider

   • Choose a provider (like LightNode or DigitalOcean).
   • Deploy a Linux or Windows server.
   • Install Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server files via SteamCMD.
   • Configure settings, open firewall ports, and start the server.

Is Assetto Corsa hosting free?

Yes, there are several ways to host it for free or with minimal cost:

• Home hosting is 100% free but requires port forwarding and a stable connection.
• Cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud offer free trials or always-free VPS tiers.
• VPS providers like LightNode allow hourly billing, costing only a few cents per session.

Note: Public server listings and high player counts may require more CPU power or bandwidth.

How do I host an Assetto Corsa server for friends?

To host a private server for friends:

1. Use the built-in Assetto Corsa server tool (Windows only).
2. Set the server to LAN/private mode or whitelist your friends’ Steam IDs.
3. Share your public IP and the port (e.g., 123.45.67.89:9600).
4. Ensure your firewall and router allow the required ports.

For better uptime and external access, consider using a low-cost VPS with 2GB+ RAM and full root access.

What is required for Assetto Corsa server?

Here are the minimum requirements for running a smooth Assetto Corsa server:

• CPU: Dual-core (3.0GHz+ recommended, strong single-thread performance)
• RAM: 2GB minimum (more if you have many players or mods)
• Disk: 10–20GB free (SSD preferred for mod loading)
• OS: Windows or Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended)
• Network: Public IP and open ports (TCP/UDP 9600, 9601, 8081)
• Tools: SteamCMD, Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server files

What’s the best option for modded Assetto Corsa servers?

LightNode or Vultr with Linux VPS offers full control and mod flexibility.

Do I need port forwarding?

Yes, for home servers. Not needed on VPS/cloud services.

Which host is best for beginners?

ZAP-Hosting or Pterodactyl (after setup) offers GUI control.

Can I run Assetto Corsa on a 1GB RAM server?

It may work for 2-4 players, but 2GB+ is recommended.