Shockbyte is an established game server hosting provider based in Melbourne, Australia, operating since 2013. They offer premium game server hosting for over 45 of the most popular games, including the popular ones like Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, Rust, Terraria, and Palworld.
For anyone looking for a gaming server hosting provider, Shockbyte can be a good choice, but does it really deliver fast, highly customizable, and super reliable servers for non-stop fun and seamless gameplay? Well, you will have a clear answer by the end of this Shockbyte review.
Shockbyte Pros & Cons
Pros
- New, Intuitive Control Panel
- Unique Server Instances
- High-Performance AMD Processors (Up to AMD Ryzen 9 7950X)
- Broad Game Library (Supports over 45 games)
- Worldwide Server Locations (US, Europe, Asia, Australia) / 13 Server Locations
- Instant and very beginner friendly Setup
- Hassle-Free Refund Policy (72-hour self-serve refund)
- Fast, Customizable, Reliable Servers
- Low Latency / Lag-Free Gameplay
- Vast Knowledgebase, Guides, Video Tutorials
- Full Mod Support (Minecraft, ARK, Stardew Valley SMAPI, Terraria tModLoader/tShock)
- Unlimited Player Slots
Cons
- Occasional (but rare) Slow Server
- Some Outdated Knowledgebase Information (related to old control panel)
What kind of Performance and Reliability do you get with Shockbyte?
Shockbyte offers a wide array of performance and reliability features designed to enhance your gaming experience and provide powerful hardware at competitive prices.
New Shockbyte Control Panel
Shockbyte has introduced a completely new control panel and without any doubt it performs fast, delivers the required power to the user, and is beginner friendly, showing the commitment of the company towards making the user experience better.
Real-Time Console
The control panel includes a smooth and instant real-time console with features like message highlighting and log sharing, making server monitoring and communication effortless.
Server Instances
A unique "Server Instances" feature allows you to automate swapping between server setups (e.g., modded vs. vanilla) without losing progress. You can create different server configurations and switch them on the fly.
Modpack & Plugin Installer
For games like Minecraft, there's an instant modpack and plugin installer that simplifies the process of adding modifications. This one-click feature also handles updates, allowing you to find and install modpacks quickly.
Next-Gen File Management
Right in the control panel you get a file manager (which is updated recently with the control panel UI), delivering an intuitive system for managing your server files.
Server Performance Metrics
You can track historical data and real-time performance metrics for your server, helping you maximize its performance.
Instant Setup
Your game server starts hosting seconds after purchase. This means less waiting and more playing.
Automatic Backups
The control panel includes a built-in backup manager, making it simple to create and restore server backups with a single click.
Automatic Updates & Scheduled Restarts
For certain games, Shockbyte provides automatic updates and the option for scheduled restarts, keeping your server running the latest versions and maintaining optimal performance.
What level of Support and Flexibility do you get with Shockbyte?
Shockbyte provides robust support and flexibility for its users.
24/7 customer support
The company offers 24/7 customer support, making it particularly easy for new users to get help with server setup or any other issues.
Beyond direct support, Shockbyte also maintains an extensive knowledge base and a library of video tutorials, which cover common problems and offer game-specific guides.
72 hour Money Back Policy
For those who are not satisfied with their service, a 72-hour self-serve refund policy is in place.
Shockbyte also offers flexible payment terms with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual billing options and provides discounts for longer commitments.
You can also easily upgrade or change your server plan as your needs grow. Finally, as an added benefit, Shockbyte offers a free subdomain for a custom IP address.
High-Performance Hardware
Shockbyte's servers are built with powerful components to ensure smooth and stable performance. They utilize up to AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processors running at max 5.70 GHz or AMD EPYC 4244P at max 5.40 GHz, optimized for high single-thread performance. For rapid loading times, they use NVMe SSDs, which achieves 6 times faster speed than traditional SATA SSDs.
Furthermore, servers are equipped with DDR4/DDR5 RAM to handle heavy server loads and deliver 1-10 Gbps network ports for low-latency gameplay. This hardware commitment from Shockbyte means that your server can run demanding games and mods efficiently.
Guaranteed 99.9% Uptime
Shockbyte commits to a 99.9% uptime, so that your server is almost always online and available for play. This guarantee is not just a statement but they have also covered it in their Service Level Agreement (SLA), which means that network outages are rare and addressed promptly.
Guaranteed DDoS Protection
All servers come with built-in DDoS protection so you do not have to worry about the quality of protection you are getting. You are always safeguarded from malicious attacks delivering you an uninterrupted experience.
Global Server Locations
To provide low ping and reduce lag for players worldwide, Shockbyte has servers in 13 key regions across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This global presence allows you to choose a server location closest to you and your friends for the best possible connection.
How is the Ease of use & Server Management in Shockbyte?
There are a number of features that Shockbyte delivers for making the whole server management experience easier for gamers.
Pricing and Plans are available with Shockbyte
Shockbyte offers various plans tailored to specific games, often with a discount on the first month or for longer subscription periods. Although the number of games supported by Shockbyte is huge, here are the pricing and plans of the most popular ones.
Minecraft Server Plans
For Minecraft, they provide a range of servers for both Java and Bedrock editions. The plans are split into three main types. "Play Vanilla" is for smaller servers with a few players and plugins, with prices starting at around .79 a month for a 1GB server.
"Play with Modpacks" is recommended for servers using mods, and these plans include unlimited player slots and an instant modpack installer. The "most popular" plan in this group is the Emerald plan, which costs about .39 a month for an 8 GB server.
The "Start a Community Server" plans are for larger groups with many players and plugins and come with features like DDoS protection.
Rust Plans
Beyond Minecraft, Shockbyte is an official partner for Rust, offering servers with features like automatic updates and backups. Prices for a Rust server begin at around .24 a month for a plan that supports up to 40 players.
ARK: Survival Evolved
They also host servers for ARK: Survival Evolved, with modding support and PC crossplay. The most popular plan, Sabertooth, costs about .49 a month.
For the Grand Theft Auto V mod, FiveM, Shockbyte provides servers that allow you to create your own custom multiplayer experiences. The plans for this start at about .74 a month.
Similarly, they offer RedM hosting for Red Dead Redemption 2, with plans starting at around .99 a month.
Palworld
Shockbyte also has hosting for newer games like Palworld, with plans starting at about .99 a month for an 8-player server.
They support classic games too, like Stardew Valley and Terraria. Stardew Valley servers begin at around .49 a month, and Terraria servers start at about .74 a month.
The variety of plans and pricing for these games makes Shockbyte a strong option to consider for your server hosting needs.
Minecraft Hosting Plans
| DIRT Plan | SAND Plan | COBBLESTONE | IRON Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| .99 per month | .99 per month | .99 per month | .99 per month |
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7 Days to Die Server Hosting Plans
| Normal | Radiated | Legendary |
|---|---|---|
| .99 per month | .99 per month | .99 per month |
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Rust Server Hosting Plans
| WOOD | FUEL | METAL |
|---|---|---|
| .99 per month | .99 per month | .99 per month |
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ARK Server Hosting Plans
| RAPTOR | SABERTOOTH | REX |
|---|---|---|
| .99 per month | .99 per month | .99 per month |
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Final thoughts and Recommendations
Shockbyte stands out as a robust and user-friendly game server hosting provider. Their commitment to high-performance hardware, strong security measures like DDoS protection, and a new, intuitive control panel makes server management accessible to everyone.
With 24/7 support, a vast library of self-help resources, and flexible pricing with refund options, Shockbyte provides a reliable platform for hosting your favorite multiplayer games.
For all the 45 to 60 games, Shockbyte offers custom plans and features to perfectly suit your game hosting server requirements to set you on the best gaming adventure.