---
title: "Game server by the hour or monthly subscription? The comparison — TickServ"
description: "Hourly game server or monthly subscription: which costs less for the way you play? The maths, a real example, and the exact tipping point."
url: https://tickserv.com/comparison
site: "TickServ (https://tickserv.com)"
lang: en
generated: 2026-08-28
---

# Game server by the hour or monthly subscription?

Most groups of friends play in sessions, a few hours a week. In that case, paying by the hour (per started hour) often costs far less than a subscription billed even when nobody is playing. Here is the comparison, no spin.

## The model, line by line

| | TickServ (by the hour) | Monthly subscription |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Commitment | None | Often 1 to 12 months |
| Billing | By the started hour | The whole month, even unused |
| Server off | €0 | Full price |
| Renewal | Manual (you top up) | Automatic by default |
| Cancellation | Instant, in one click | Form / delays |
| World backup | Free, no paid quota | Quota / paid |
| Startup | On demand, in a few minutes | Instant but billed continuously |
| Hidden fees | None (VAT included) | Dedicated IP, extras, hikes |

## Example: 3 h of play per week

Estimated monthly cost by the hour vs a typical “always-on” monthly subscription.

| Game | Price / h | ≈ / month (3 h/wk) | Typical subscription | Savings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minecraft | €0.02/h | €0.26 | €9.00 | €8.74 |
| Valheim | €0.03/h | €0.39 | €12.00 | €11.61 |
| Palworld | €0.05/h | €0.65 | €14.00 | €13.35 |
| Factorio | €0.03/h | €0.39 | €10.00 | €9.61 |
| Project Zomboid | €0.03/h | €0.39 | €13.00 | €12.61 |
| Core Keeper | €0.02/h | €0.26 | €8.00 | €7.74 |
| Terraria | €0.02/h | €0.26 | €5.00 | €4.74 |
| Minecraft Bedrock | €0.02/h | €0.26 | €9.00 | €8.74 |

Estimate (3 h/wk × 4.33 wks), Eco rate. “Typical subscription” = indicative market benchmark. Server off = €0 with TickServ.

## Which model for you?

### Paying by the hour wins if…

- you play in sessions (evenings, weekends);
- your server sits off most of the time;
- you want zero commitment and to shut it down whenever you like.

### A subscription may suit you if…

- your server has to stay on 24/7 continuously;
- a large community connects at all hours.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is paying by the hour cheaper than a subscription?

If you play in sessions (a few hours a week), yes: you only pay for the hours played, whereas a subscription bills the whole month even while the server is off. For a server on 24/7, a subscription can become competitive again.

### What happens when the server is off?

By the hour, a server that is off costs €0: no standby fee, no storage fee. Your world and its latest backup are kept for free. Only the optional premium backup plan is a monthly charge.

— TickServ, https://tickserv.com/comparison