The best GMod server hosting in 2026: what actually matters.
Choosing a GMod host is not just about price per GB. A GMod server lives or dies on its addon management: how easy it is to install and update Lua addons, how you handle Workshop sync, and whether you can edit configs without an FTP client. For DarkRP servers, job configuration and protection against malicious addon packs are real day-to-day concerns.
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| Feature | Zeros Host | Bisect Hosting | Host Havoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backdoor Scanner | Yes | No | No |
| Browser IDE (edit Lua in-panel) | Yes | No | No |
| Mod Manager (GitHub installs) | Yes | Limited / FTP | FTP only |
| DarkRP pre-configured | Yes | No | No |
| Free trial (no card) | Yes (24-hour) | No | No |
| Server location | Germany (EU) | US / EU options | US / EU options |
| Company HQ | UK | US | Canada |
| Prices from | £2.5/mo (GBP) | Varies by config | Varies by config |
Bisect Hosting and Host Havoc both offer file access via FTP and standard control panels; neither publishes a Backdoor Scanner or an in-browser VS Code-style editor as of June 2026. DarkRP configuration at other hosts is handled manually through config files. The "no card trial" row reflects publicly stated terms at the time of writing.
Why Zeros for GMod
Backdoor Scanner included on every plan.
Free addon packs sometimes ship with hidden remote access tools. An AST-aware analyser scans your addon files against known backdoor patterns, including RunString and loadstring code execution, http.Fetch fetch-and-run chains, obfuscation markers, and known malicious domains. It flags the exact file and line. This is not a common feature in GMod hosting.
Install addons from GitHub, not FTP.
The Mod Manager lets you paste a GitHub repo URL and the panel downloads, extracts, and places the addon in the right directory. Useful for DarkRP, ULX, PAC3, Wiremod, and anything else hosted on GitHub. Workshop sync is handled separately: enter your collection ID and the panel generates your workshop.lua.
Edit Lua and configs in the browser.
The Browser IDE is a VS Code-style editor built into the panel. Open any file, make your changes, save. No FTP client, no local setup required.
DarkRP gets dedicated tooling.
Job Creator, Shipment Creator, Entity Creator, and a CustomCheck Builder are all available from the panel. You can build out a DarkRP job without touching a Lua file directly if you prefer.
Who else might suit you
Bisect Hosting has a much larger footprint, with servers across the US and EU and support for a wide range of games. If you need US-based servers, are running a very large GMod network with multiple servers, or want a host with a longer track record, Bisect is worth considering. They will not have the same Lua-specific tooling, but the fundamentals are solid. Host Havoc is similarly well-regarded for large multi-game setups. Neither is a bad choice if the panel features in the table above are not important to you.
GMod plans start at £2.5/mo
Every plan includes the full panel: Backdoor Scanner, Browser IDE, Mod Manager, Workshop integration, backups, and crash auto-restart. Start with a free 24-hour trial. No credit card required.
Start free GMod trial →Frequently asked questions
Does your GMod hosting support DarkRP?
Yes. DarkRP is the gamemode the panel is most specifically built around. The Mod Manager installs DarkRP from GitHub in one click. The panel includes a DarkRP Config Builder for editing jobs, shipments, entities, and server settings visually. See the DarkRP hosting page for more detail.
What is the Backdoor Scanner?
It is an AST-aware analyser built into the panel that scans your addon Lua files against known backdoor patterns. It checks for RunString and loadstring code execution, http.Fetch fetch-and-run chains, obfuscation markers, and known malicious domains. When it finds something, it flags the exact file and line number. It runs on demand from the panel. It is not a replacement for reviewing addons yourself, but it catches the most common injection patterns used in free addon packs.
Do I need to use FTP to install addons?
No. The Mod Manager handles GitHub-hosted addons by URL, and Workshop sync is managed through a collection ID field in the panel. The File Manager and Browser IDE cover most other file operations. SFTP access is available if you prefer to work from a local client, but most tasks do not require it.
Where are your GMod servers located?
Most servers run on Hetzner hardware in Germany, and we also have a real UK node live in London. Zeros Host is a UK company either way. Latency from the UK to the German node is typically 10-25ms on a good connection, and the London node is faster still.
Can I try before buying?
Yes. Every game type has a 24-hour free trial with full panel access. No credit card required, no phone number, just an account. After the trial your server is paused (not deleted) and you can upgrade to a paid plan at any time to continue from where you left off.