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Shockbyte Review [Best Budget Game Hosting?]

May 1, 2023
10 MIN READ
Shockbyte Review Game Server Hosting

Starting from humble beginnings back in March 2013, Shockbyte has paved the way for game server hosting with its experienced team and great hardware backed by the OVH cloud network.

In fact, in an age of "summer hosting companies", Shockbyte has stood the test of time being one of the longest-running Minecraft hosts in the world.

However, since those humble days that they have since grown into other game hosting services and expanded their range of hosting offerings to include 32 of the most popular games.

In this Shockbyte review, we will take a deeper dive into the Shockbyte hosting service and see if it's a hosting provider you should spend your hard-earned dollars with.

Is Shockbyte Hosting Worth It?

In my experience, is Shockbyte worth it, yes. Although I've had experience with their service before, I personally hosted a Minecraft Dirt 1GB plan for $2.50 USD per month for this review.

Client Area Shockbyte https shockbyte com billing clientarea php action productdetails id 234516

It's a great and easy to use service with a 4.7-star rating over 7300 reviews. With that said, there has been times in the past they've dropped the ball on support, but from what I see they are working on this. They have an expansive knowledgebase, so most of the questions you have can be answered there.

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I would recommend Shockbyte for these game servers:

  • Minecraft Java and Bedrock (The owner has first-hand experience with Minecraft communities)
  • ARK Survival Evolved (It's a good price for the resources)

Shockbyte Main Features

Minecraft Server Hosting Shockbyte https shockbyte com games minecraft server hosting

In the dynamic and demanding world of online gaming, the quality of your server can make or break your gaming experience. At Shockbyte, we pride ourselves on providing high-performance game servers loaded with an array of features tailored to optimize your gameplay.

These features are designed to ensure a seamless, immersive, and uninterrupted gaming environment for users across various globally recognized games. Whether you're managing your own Minecraft realm, surviving in the wilds of ARK, or strategizing in Factorio, Shockbyte's features are there to enhance and streamline your gaming experience.

Let's delve deeper into these features and understand how they contribute to a superior gaming journey.

Automatic Updates

Shockbyte provides automatic updates to ensure that your gaming experience remains uninterrupted and updated. This feature allows for seamless gameplay, with the latest patches and improvements implemented without requiring any manual input from the user. This hassle-free solution contributes to a more engaging and optimized gaming environment.

Fully Configurable

The fully configurable feature allows users to personalize their servers to meet their specific gaming requirements. This includes modifying game rules, adjusting server parameters, and tailoring gameplay mechanics. This flexibility contributes to a more immersive gaming experience, allowing users to create their unique gaming universe.

Full FTP Access

Shockbyte provides full FTP access, allowing users to manage their server files with ease. This feature enables users to upload, download, and modify files directly on the server, providing complete control over their game server's content and settings.

100% SLA Uptime

Shockbyte guarantees 100% Service Level Agreement (SLA) uptime, ensuring that your game server is always available for play. This commitment to reliability minimizes downtime, providing a stable and consistent gaming environment.

Automatic Backups

Shockbyte's automatic backup feature ensures your game progress is safe and recoverable. Regular backups are made, providing a safety net in case of accidental data loss or server issues. This feature provides peace of mind, knowing that your game data is secure.

Low Latency

Shockbyte provides low latency servers to ensure a smooth and responsive gaming experience. This feature minimizes lag and delays, contributing to more enjoyable gameplay and improved in-game performance.

Guaranteed DDoS Protection

Shockbyte guarantees Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, safeguarding your game server from potential cyber attacks. This feature ensures server stability and security, allowing you to focus on your gaming experience.

Instant Setup

Shockbyte offers instant setup, meaning as soon as you complete your purchase, your game server is ready to go. This feature minimizes waiting time, allowing you to jump straight into your game.

Multicraft CP

Shockbyte provides a Multicraft control panel, a powerful tool for managing your game server. This feature offers a user-friendly interface for modifying server settings, managing files, and monitoring server performance.

24/7 Support

Shockbyte offers round-the-clock support to assist with any issues or queries. The 24/7 support team is ready to help, whether it's technical troubleshooting, server configuration, or gameplay questions.

Server Console

With Shockbyte, you have access to the server console, giving you real-time insight into your server's operation. This feature enables you to monitor server activity, manage players, and perform commands directly.

Free MySQL DB

Shockbyte provides a free MySQL database, a crucial component for many games and mods. This feature allows for data storage and retrieval, enabling complex game mechanics and features.

Free Subdomain

Shockbyte offers a free subdomain for your server, providing a unique and easy-to-remember address for players to connect. This feature simplifies server access and contributes to your server's identity.

Global Locations

Shockbyte provides server hosting across global locations, including North America, Europe, Singapore, and Australia. This feature ensures a localized gaming experience, reducing latency, and improving game performance.

Reasons to choose Shockbyte in 2023

When it comes to choosing a hosting service, it's crucial to consider various factors such as customer service, hardware performance, affordability, server stability, and policy transparency. Here are some reasons why you might want to choose Shockbyte Hosting:

  1. Affordability: Shockbyte Hosting offers competitive pricing for its services. The cost-effectiveness of their servers, coupled with the variety of options available, makes it an attractive choice for many users.
  2. Range of Server Options: Shockbyte provides a great selection of options for game servers, including Minecraft and Rust. This versatility allows customers to find the right server for their specific needs.
  3. Useful Interface: The user interface provided by Shockbyte is generally easy to use and understand. This simplicity makes it easier for users to set up and manage their servers.
  4. Positive Customer Support Experiences: Although some users have reported issues with customer support, many others have praised the helpfulness of the support team. In particular, the staff's friendliness and helpfulness in resolving issues are frequently mentioned in positive reviews.
  5. Commitment to Improvement: Shockbyte demonstrates a commitment to improving its services, as evidenced by its responses to customer feedback. This indicates a willingness to address and rectify any issues that customers may encounter.
  6. Timely Response: Shockbyte provides quick response times to customer inquiries, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly.
  7. Reliable Servers: Many customers have commended the reliability and stability of Shockbyte's servers. This reliability is key to providing a smooth gaming experience.
  8. Transparent Policies: Shockbyte has clear policies in place, including a 72-hour money-back guarantee. This transparency provides customers with peace of mind when choosing their services.
  9. Good Overall Customer Satisfaction: Despite some negative reviews, many customers have had positive experiences with Shockbyte Hosting. Positive feedback often cites factors such as affordability, server reliability, and helpful customer support.

Remember, no hosting service is perfect, and individual experiences can vary. It's essential to consider your specific needs and requirements when choosing a hosting service.

Disadvantages of Shockbyte Hosting

Despite its impressive features, some users have reported drawbacks. These include occasional lag issues, particularly on heavily modded servers, and a somewhat steep learning curve for absolute beginners. Additionally, some users have experienced minor issues with their automatic backup feature.

  1. Hardware Performance Issues: There have been reports of subpar hardware performance. Customers have encountered issues like lagging CPUs, which have proved unsuitable for running modded Minecraft servers. These performance issues have caused frustration among users who expect smooth operation, particularly given the dedicated nature of these servers.
  2. Inadequate Customer Service: A number of customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of customer service. Complaints range from slow response times to a lack of proactive support. Some users felt that the support team was not sufficiently helpful when they encountered issues, such as the need for a simple server change or addressing server stability problems.
  3. Server Stability: Some users have reported problems with server stability. Server restarts, crashes, and lag have been cited, and these issues have been detrimental to the user experience. This lack of stability has resulted in a lack of trust and confidence in the service among certain customers.
  4. Refund Policy: Several customers have expressed dissatisfaction with Shockbyte's refund policy. There are cases where users requested refunds within the stipulated 72-hour period but were denied, leading to disappointment and a sense of the policy not being honored.
  5. Server Locations Misrepresentation: Some users have alleged misrepresentation of server locations, resulting in unexpected lag and time difference issues. This has led to frustration and inconvenience, with the affected customers feeling that they did not receive the service they expected.
  6. Issues with Add-Ons and Control Panel: Certain customers have had issues with add-ons and the control panel. Complaints include add-ons not working as advertised, and the control panel being difficult to navigate and use. These issues have affected customers' ability to effectively manage and customize their servers.

Please note that these disadvantages are reported by a subset of users and may not represent the experience of all users.

Shockbyte Server Locations

Shockbyte Hosting provides an extensive selection of server locations to ensure optimal performance for its global customer base.

Their servers are primarily located in:

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Singapore
  • Australia

In North America and Europe, designed to deliver low-latency and high-speed connections for smooth gaming experiences in these regions.

For users in Asia-Pacific, Shockbyte offers servers in Singapore at an additional cost of $5. This additional fee helps cover the higher operational expenses in the region while providing users in Asia with a nearby, low-latency option.

Similarly, for users located in Australia or Oceania, Shockbyte has servers in Australia available for an extra $5. This ensures that players from this region can also enjoy a seamless gaming experience without the lag issues often associated with connecting to distant servers.

By offering multiple server locations, Shockbyte allows you to choose a server that's geographically close to you or your player base. This not only reduces latency but also ensures a stable and enjoyable gaming experience, no matter where you or your players are located.

Plans and Pricing

Shockbyte offers a variety of plans, with prices starting as low as $2.50 per month for a server supporting up to 20 players, and going up to $80 per month for high-performance servers supporting hundreds of players.

Each plan includes 100% uptime, guaranteed DDoS protection, instant setup, 24/7 support, and a free subdomain. Here's an overview of their plans:

Plan NameRAMSlotsPrice
Dirt Plan1GB8+$2.50/Month
Sand Plan2GB16+$5.00/Month
Cobblestone Plan3GB30+$7.50/Month
Iron Plan4GB40+$10.00/Month
Gold Plan5GB50+$12.50/Month
Redstone Plan6GB60+$15.00/Month
Diamond Plan7GB70+$17.50/Month
Emerald Plan8GB80+$20.00/Month
Obsidian Plan9GB90+$22.50/Month
Spartan Plan10GBUnlimited$25.00/Month
Zeus Plan12GBUnlimited$30.00/Month
Titan Plan16GBUnlimited$40.00/Month

Note: The Spartan, Zeus, and Titan plans also come with DDoS Protection, NVMe SSDs, and server locations in North America and Europe.

Shockbyte also allows you to create a custom plan if you're looking for something more specific. This flexibility ensures that whether you're hosting a small server for friends or a large server for an online community, there's an option that will fit your budget and requirements.

All plans come with a broad array of features, including BungeeCord support, custom JAR support, full FTP access, task scheduling, and many more.

Games Supported by Shockbyte Hosting

Shockbyte is a leading game server hosting provider, offering exceptional services to a wide array of popular games. These cater to a diverse range of player preferences, from survival and sandbox games to cooperative multiplayer and intricate building games.

The games supported by Shockbyte include:

  • Minecraft Server Hosting
  • ARK: Survival Evolved
  • Rust
  • Valheim
  • Terraria
  • 7 Days To Die
  • CS:GO
  • Garry's Mod
  • Team Fortress 2
  • Factorio
  • Satisfactory
  • Project Zomboid
  • Unturned
  • Starbound
  • DayZ
  • SCP: Secret Laboratory
  • Hypercharge
  • Core Keeper
  • Dont Starve Together
  • Squad
  • The Isle
  • Left 4 Dead 2
  • Conan Exiles
  • V Rising
  • Stardew Valley
  • Astroneer
  • The Forest
  • Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
  • Euro Truck Simulator 2 / American Truck Simulator
  • Skyrim Together
  • Risk of Rain 2
  • Icarus
  • ARMA 3
  • MORDHAU
  • Necesse

This extensive list of supported games is a testament to Shockbyte's dedication to serving the gaming community's diverse needs. Whether you prefer action, survival, exploration, or building games, Shockbyte has a server hosting solution for you.

Shockbyte FAQ's

Here are some of the most common questions about Shockbyte hosting.

Can you change the location of your game server with Shockbyte?

shockbyte server locations

Yes, you can change the location of your game server with Shockbyte. The company offers global locations for its servers including North America, Europe, Singapore, and Australia. This allows users to choose the location that best suits their needs. However, it's important to note that the servers in Singapore and Australia come with an additional cost of $5.

How many players can I host with my plan?

How many players can I host with my plan

The number of players you can host with your plan at Shockbyte depends on the specific plan you choose. Shockbyte offers a variety of plans with different capabilities. Each plan has a maximum player limit, which can be viewed on the Shockbyte website under the details of each plan. It's always best to consider the expected player traffic before choosing your plan.

Does Shockbyte allow mods?

Does Shockbyte allow mods

Yes, Shockbyte does allow mods. You have full FTP access, which means you have the freedom to modify your server as you see fit. Whether it's installing game modifications for games like Minecraft, ARK: Survival Evolved, or Rust, or adding new plugins, Shockbyte offers the flexibility to customize your server according to your preferences.

Shockbyte Payment Methods

Shockbyte Payment Methods

Shockbyte accepts a range of payment methods for its services. This includes major credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. In addition, Shockbyte also accepts PayPal, making it convenient for users worldwide to make payments. It's important to review the payment terms and conditions on the Shockbyte website before making a purchase.

Shockbyte Review Conclusion

In my experience, Shockbyte proves to be a versatile and reliable game server hosting platform. The ability to choose from a broad array of games and global server locations caters to diverse gaming interests and needs. The flexibility of changing server locations, accommodating varying numbers of players, and the permission to use mods further enhances the gaming experience.

Moreover, the suite of features offered, like automatic updates, full FTP access, automatic backups, and DDoS protection, ensure a seamless and secure gaming experience. The guaranteed uptime and low latency promise a smooth, uninterrupted gaming session, while the 24/7 support assures prompt assistance whenever needed.

The payment methods available are also quite convenient, accepting major credit cards and PayPal. In conclusion, based on my experiences and the features offered, Shockbyte emerges as a comprehensive solution for gaming server needs, fitting various requirements and budgets.

I hope this Shockbyte review has covered everything you want to know about their service. If there is something I've missed, reach out on Discord.

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