Zandronum Server HostingZandronum Server Hosting
The classic way to play Doom together online: your own Zandronum server for co-op, Survival, Invasion, CTF and deathmatch.
Choose your Game Server
Select from our wide range of optimized game servers. Each server is configured for maximum performance and comes with DDoS protection.
1. Plan Type
2. Location
3. Choose Plan
Bronze 4GB
Silver 6GB
Gold 8GB
Platinum 10GB
Diamond 12GB
Emerald 16GB
Xtreme 32GB
Which Zandronum Plan Is Right for You?
Compare recommended use, plan hardware and monthly prices.
| Plan | Recommended for | Hardware | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze 4GB | Recommended: all modes, typical community serverThe Doom engine uses very few resources; more than enough for one Zandronum server. | 4 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 4 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 50 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺240.00/mo |
| Silver 6GB | Usually unnecessaryExtra memory does not help Zandronum; slowdowns usually come from the map itself. | 4 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 6 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 60 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺345.00/mo |
| Gold 8GB | Not needed for ZandronumA single-threaded server loop gains nothing extra from this plan. | 4 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 8 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 70 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺440.00/mo |
| Platinum 10GB | Not recommended for ZandronumOne Zandronum server uses only a tiny fraction of this memory. | 4 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 10 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 100 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺530.00/mo |
| Diamond 12GB | Not recommended for ZandronumNearly all of these resources would sit idle; start on Bronze. | 4 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 12 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 110 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺617.50/mo |
| Emerald 16GB | Not recommended for Zandronum6 vCores add little to a Doom server that runs on one core. | 6 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 16 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 120 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺840.00/mo |
| Xtreme 32GB | Overkill for Zandronum32 GB and 12 vCores go far beyond what this light server needs. | 12 vCore Ryzen 9950X · 32 GB DDR5 6000MHz · 200 GB NVMe SSD Samsung 990 PRO | ₺1520.00/mo |
Why TheCrewHost for Zandronum?
The features that genuinely help when you keep a Zandronum server running.
A fast core for slaughter maps
Co-op and Invasion maps with thousands of monsters push the server's single-threaded loop hard, and the Ryzen 9 9950X helps keep the pace up in those moments.
SFTP access to your WAD archive
Upload your IWAD, PWAD mods and .pk3 packages through SFTP or the file manager, with NVMe storage loading large mod packs quickly.
Full control through cvars
Gather sv_hostname, sv_maxplayers, sv_maxclients, dmflags and game mode cvars in one config file and have it load automatically when the server starts.
Remote admin over RCON
With the password set in sv_rconpassword, use Doomseeker's remote console to change maps, kick players and update settings without restarting.
Free DDoS protection
Public servers listed in Doomseeker can be attacked too. DDoS protection is added to every plan at no cost and needs no setup.
24/7 help in Turkish
For WAD uploads, ports or launch parameters, get answers through tickets, Discord, WhatsApp, phone or live chat.
Your Zandronum server installs automatically after payment on a Ryzen 9 9950X with DDR5 memory and NVMe storage in İstanbul, starting at ₺240.00 (about $6.00) per month. Zandronum carries on Skulltag's legacy as a Doom source port built for multiplayer, using a client-server architecture, and its current stable release is 3.2.1. Upload the IWAD and PWAD mods you want to run over SFTP, and set things like sv_hostname, sv_maxplayers and your map rotation through cvars. Most players will find you through Doomseeker, which also fetches their missing WADs with its Wadseeker tool.
What is Zandronum, and which modes can your server run?
Zandronum is a Doom source port developed for multiplayer. It grew out of Skulltag and adds client-server netcode on top of an older ZDoom and GZDoom code base, which lets dozens of players share the same Doom map smoothly over the internet. The current stable release is 3.2.1, with development builds published for 3.3.
The list of modes your server can run is long. On the cooperative side there is classic Cooperative, Survival with a limited number of lives, and Invasion, where players defend against waves of monsters. On the competitive side you get Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Duel, Last Man Standing, Team LMS, Terminator, Possession, Team Possession, Capture the Flag, One-Flag CTF, Skulltag and Domination.
One important rule: the server and its players must run the same Zandronum version, or the connection will not go through. Announcing clearly which version your community uses, and planning major version moves together, prevents connection complaints before they start.
IWADs, PWADs and mods: which files should you upload?
Every Zandronum server starts from an IWAD, the file that contains Doom's main game data, such as doom2.wad. Commercial IWADs cannot be redistributed freely, so you upload your own copy to the server. If you would rather avoid commercial files altogether, the free and open Freedoom IWADs are a good alternative.
On top of the IWAD, the maps and mods you want to play are added as PWAD or .pk3 files and loaded with the -file parameter when the server starts. If you use several files, load order matters, so follow the order the mod author gives.
The biggest thing to watch when choosing mods is compatibility. Because Zandronum is based on an older ZDoom and GZDoom code base, it runs mods written in DECORATE and ACS but does not support GZDoom's modern ZScript language. A new mod that works perfectly in GZDoom may simply not load on a Zandronum server. Checking whether the mod page mentions Zandronum support saves hours of debugging.
How do players get the WADs and connect to your server?
Most Zandronum players find servers with Doomseeker, which Zandronum's official site lists as its recommended server browser. With sv_updatemaster enabled, your server reports to the master list and shows up in Doomseeker with its name, current map and the WADs it uses.
Here is the detail to know: Zandronum does not send missing WADs to players over the game connection. Doomseeker's Wadseeker tool searches public WAD archives on the internet and downloads what is missing. That is why running widely available PWADs on a public server matters for smooth joining. If you use a custom pack, share the download link on Discord or at your sv_website address.
Players who skip Doomseeker can launch Zandronum with the -connect parameter, or use the connect command in the in-game console, and enter the IP and port shown in your panel. Zandronum listens on 10666 by default; on TheCrewHost, go by the port the panel shows for your server.
Server settings: cvars, map rotation and RCON
A Zandronum server is driven by cvars, and the tidiest approach is to collect them in one config file and load it at startup with +exec. sv_hostname sets the server name, sv_motd the welcome message and sv_website the address where players can find your WADs and rules. sv_maxclients caps total connections including spectators, while sv_maxplayers limits how many can play at once.
For access control, pair sv_password with sv_forcepassword to lock the server itself, or sv_joinpassword with sv_forcejoinpassword to lock only joining the game. That lets you run a server anyone can spectate but only your team can play on. The game mode is set with cvars such as deathmatch, ctf, survival or invasion, difficulty with skill, and gameplay rules with dmflags and compatflags. In Survival, sv_maxlives sets each player's lives.
For map rotation, switch on sv_maprotation and queue maps with the addmap command; sv_randommaprotation shuffles the order. The password in sv_rconpassword lets you manage the server live through RCON tools such as Doomseeker's remote console.
How many resources does a Zandronum server really use?
Zandronum is one of the lightest servers you can host. The server side of the Doom engine uses very little memory, so the Bronze plan with 4 GB carries a typical server, from deathmatch to co-op, along with a large WAD archive, with lots of room to spare.
When it does struggle, the cause is almost always the map. Slaughter-style maps and crowded Invasion waves can move thousands of monsters at once, and every monster's AI and projectiles are calculated in the server's single-threaded loop. Throwing RAM at that kind of slowdown does nothing; what helps is raw single-core speed, and the Ryzen 9 9950X already sets a high bar. Mods heavy on ACS scripting load the CPU in a similar way.
On disk, IWADs and PWADs rarely exceed a few hundred megabytes, so 50 GB of NVMe storage is more than enough even for a huge archive. Upper plans are not needed for a single Zandronum server. Start on Bronze and upgrade from the panel whenever your needs change.
How to Set Up a Zandronum Server
- 1
Choose the Bronze plan
Zandronum is so light that Bronze is more than enough for a typical server, from co-op to deathmatch, plus a large WAD archive.
- 2
Open the panel when setup completes
After payment clears, the server installs itself, and gamepanel.hostingmerkezi.net gives you the file manager and console.
- 3
Upload your IWAD and PWAD files
Upload your own IWAD copy or Freedoom, then the Zandronum-compatible PWAD and .pk3 files you want to run, over SFTP.
- 4
Prepare your config file
Collect sv_hostname, sv_maxplayers, the game mode, skill, dmflags, sv_rconpassword and your addmap lines in one config file and have the server load it at startup.
- 5
Show up in Doomseeker and invite players
With sv_updatemaster on, your server is listed in Doomseeker. Tell players to use the same Zandronum version and connect directly with your IP and port if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions before opening a Zandronum server.
How much does Zandronum server hosting cost?
How much RAM do I need?
Is Doom's game file (the IWAD) included?
Can I run GZDoom mods on a Zandronum server?
Where do players download missing WAD files?
How long does setup take?
How do players connect to my server?
What do backups cover?
Is DDoS protection included, and can I upgrade?
İstanbul Location,
Maximum Performance
Our İstanbul datacenter runs on Ryzen 9 hardware, delivering low latency to players in Türkiye and good connectivity to Europe, the Middle East and the Caucasus.
Turkey
İstanbul
Turkey
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