FiveM Server Creation Guide: Build Your Dream RP Server in 2025

Creating a successful FiveM roleplay server is more than just installing scripts—it’s about building a community, crafting an experience, and maintaining a vision. This comprehensive guide walks you through every decision you’ll make from concept to launch.

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Table of Contents

1. Planning Your Server Vision
2. Choosing Your Framework
3. Server Types & Themes
4. Technical Setup Decisions
5. Essential Resources to Start
6. Building Your Economy
7. Community & Rules
8. Launch Strategy
9. Growth & Scaling
10. Monetization
11. FAQs

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Planning Your Server Vision

Before writing a single line of code or installing any scripts, you need a clear vision for your server.

Define Your Server Identity

Ask yourself these critical questions:

1. What’s Your Server Theme?

• 🏙️ Realistic Roleplay — Serious, authentic life simulation
• 🔫 Gang/Crime RP — Action-focused with factions
• 💰 Economy-Focused — Business, trading, wealth building
• 👮 LEO/EMS Heavy — Law enforcement focused
• 🎮 Casual RP — Relaxed, beginner-friendly
• 🌴 Custom Lore — Unique storyline/world

2. Who’s Your Target Audience?

Audience Type	Characteristics	Server Features
Hardcore RPers	Experienced, 18+, voice required	Whitelist, strict rules, character development
Casual Players	Mixed experience, all ages	Public, lenient rules, easy entry
Content Creators	Streamers, YouTubers	Custom events, creator perks, promotion
Competitive	Achievement-focused	Leaderboards, progression, rewards

3. What Makes You Unique? Think beyond “unique scripts.” Consider:

• Custom map/MLOs nobody else has
• Unique job system or progression
• Innovative economy mechanics
• Special events or storylines
• Exclusive partnerships

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Niche servers with clear identity attract more loyal players than generic “best scripts” servers.

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Server Size Planning

Choose your initial target:

Server Size	Players	Staff Needed	Complexity	Best For
Small	8-16	2-3 admins	Low	Friends, testing, niche RP
Medium	32-48	5-8 staff	Medium	Community focus, quality RP
Large	64-96	12+ staff	High	Established communities
Massive	128+	20+ staff	Very High	Experienced owners only

⚠️ Critical: Start small. It’s easier to scale up than manage a dead 128-slot server. Launch with 32 slots, grow organically.

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Create Your Server Roadmap

Pre-Launch (Weeks 1-4):

• Week 1: Framework setup, core scripts
• Week 2: Jobs, housing, vehicles
• Week 3: Economy balancing, testing
• Week 4: Beta testing with staff

Launch (Week 5-8):

• Week 5: Soft launch (limited slots)
• Week 6: Public launch
• Week 7: First events, gather feedback
• Week 8: Iterate based on feedback

Post-Launch (Month 3+):

• Monthly content updates
• Seasonal events
• Community-driven development
• Scaling infrastructure

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Choosing Your Framework: ESX vs QBCore

This is your first major technical decision. Choose carefully—switching later is painful.

ESX Legacy (Recommended for Beginners)

What is ESX? The most established FiveM framework with massive resource library.

Pros:

• ✅ 1,000+ Free Resources — Largest ecosystem
• ✅ Beginner-Friendly — Extensive documentation
• ✅ Community Support — Active Discord, forums
• ✅ Stability — Battle-tested over years
• ✅ Easy Hiring — More developers know ESX

Cons:

• ❌ Older Codebase — Some outdated patterns
• ❌ Performance — Can be heavy with many scripts
• ❌ “Cookie Cutter” Reputation — Many ESX servers look similar

Best For:

• First-time server owners
• Those wanting maximum resource compatibility
• Servers prioritizing stability over performance
• Communities needing easy staff training

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QBCore (Recommended for Performance)

What is QBCore? Modern framework built from scratch with optimization as priority.

Pros:

• ✅ Better Performance — 20-30% more efficient
• ✅ Modern Code — Clean, maintainable Lua
• ✅ Active Development — Frequent updates
• ✅ Built-in Features — Phone, housing, inventory included
• ✅ Growing Community — Rising popularity

Cons:

• ❌ Fewer Resources — ~300 free scripts vs 1,000+ for ESX
• ❌ Breaking Updates — Framework changes can break scripts
• ❌ Steeper Learning Curve — More complex structure
• ❌ Developer Scarcity — Fewer QB developers available

Best For:

• Experienced server owners
• Performance-critical servers (64+ players)
• Those willing to develop custom scripts
• Servers wanting modern features out-of-box

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Framework Comparison Table

Feature	ESX Legacy	QBCore
Free Resources	1,000+	300+
Performance	Good	Excellent
Learning Curve	Easy	Moderate
Documentation	Extensive	Good
Default Jobs	20+	15+
Phone System	Add-on required	Built-in
Housing	Add-on required	Built-in
Inventory	Basic	Advanced
Developer Cost	$30-50/hr	$40-60/hr

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Hybrid Option: Standalone Scripts

Consider framework-independent scripts:

• Works with both ESX and QBCore
• More flexibility
• Easier migration if needed

Popular Standalone Scripts:

• pma-voice (voice chat)
• ox_inventory (inventory system)
• cd_dispatch (emergency calls)
• mythic_notify (notifications)

💡 Recommendation: Start with ESX if new to FiveM. Switch to QBCore later if you outgrow ESX’s performance or want more control.

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Server Types & Themes

Your theme determines every other decision—scripts, rules, economy, and community culture.

1. Realistic Roleplay (Serious RP)

Characteristics:

• Strict roleplay standards
• Whitelist application process
• Voice chat mandatory
• Character development focused
• Realistic economy

Required Scripts:

• Detailed job systems (police, EMS, mechanic, etc.)
• Housing with realistic prices
• Vehicle ownership with payments
• Banking and loans
• Government/court system

Economy Balance:

• Starting balance: $5,000-10,000
• Police salary: $150-300/hour
• Civilian jobs: $50-150/hour
• House prices: $100,000-500,000
• Car prices: $15,000-200,000

Example Servers:

• NoPixel (invite-only, 200+ players)
• TwitchRP
• MafiaCity

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2. Gang/Crime Roleplay

Characteristics:

• Action-focused gameplay
• Gang territories and wars
• Drugs and illegal activities
• LEO vs criminals balance
• Lower entry barrier

Required Scripts:

• Gang system with territories
• Drug growing/processing/selling
• Robbery scripts (stores, banks, jewelry)
• Weapon crafting
• Chop shops

Economy Balance:

• Starting balance: $2,000-5,000
• Legal jobs: $30-80/hour
• Drug profits: $200-500/hour (with risk)
• Robberies: $1,000-10,000 (with challenge)

Example Servers:

• Eclipse RP
• GTA World

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3. Economy-Focused RP

Characteristics:

• Business ownership core mechanic
• Complex market systems
• Player-driven economy
• Less action, more trading
• Long-term progression

Required Scripts:

• Business ownership system
• Stock market/investments
• Advanced farming/production
• Player-to-player trading
• Auction house

Economy Balance:

• Starting balance: $10,000
• Focus on investment returns
• Business profits: $500-2,000/hour
• Real estate appreciation

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4. Casual/Beginner-Friendly RP

Characteristics:

• No application/whitelist
• Voice chat optional
• Lenient rules
• Easy to learn
• High player turnover

Required Scripts:

• Simple job systems
• Basic shops
• Quick cash methods
• Minimal complexity
• Clear UI/UX

Economy Balance:

• Starting balance: $10,000-20,000 (generous)
• Fast progression
• Affordable vehicles/housing
• Forgiving death penalties

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Technical Setup Decisions

Hosting Requirements

By Server Size:

Target Players	RAM	CPU	Storage	Budget
8-16 players	4GB	2 vCPU	30GB	$10-15/mo
32-48 players	6-8GB	3-4 vCPU	50GB	$20-30/mo
64-96 players	12-16GB	6+ vCPU	100GB	$50-80/mo
128+ players	24GB+	8+ vCPU	150GB+	$100+/mo

⚠️ Critical: FiveM is CPU-intensive. Single-core performance matters more than core count. Look for high GHz ratings.

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Managed vs VPS Hosting

Managed FiveM Hosting:

Pros:

• ✅ txAdmin pre-installed
• ✅ One-click framework install
• ✅ DDoS protection included
• ✅ Support for FiveM-specific issues
• ✅ Optimized for FiveM workloads

Cons:

• ❌ Less flexibility
• ❌ Limited to provider’s offerings
• ❌ Can’t run other services

Recommended For: Beginners, small-medium servers, those wanting support

Top Providers:

• Mamba Host: $14.99/mo (4GB, NVMe, Discord support)
• Zap Hosting: $10/mo (3GB, basic support)
• Iceline Hosting: $15/mo (4GB)

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VPS (Self-Managed):

Pros:

• ✅ Full control
• ✅ Run multiple servers
• ✅ Custom configurations
• ✅ Better value at scale

Cons:

• ❌ Requires Linux knowledge
• ❌ Manual setup (2-4 hours)
• ❌ No managed support
• ❌ Self-optimization needed

Recommended For: Experienced owners, multiple servers, custom setups

Top Providers:

• DigitalOcean: $48/mo (8GB, 4 vCPU)
• Linode: $48/mo (8GB, 4 vCPU)
• Vultr: $48/mo (8GB, 4 vCPU)

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Database Selection

MySQL/MariaDB (Standard):

• ✅ Most resources support it
• ✅ Easy to set up
• ✅ Free
• ❌ Performance limits at scale

MongoDB (Advanced):

• ✅ Better performance for large data
• ✅ Flexible schema
• ❌ Fewer resources support it
• ❌ More complex setup

💡 Recommendation: Start with MySQL (oxmysql connector). Switch to MongoDB only if you have 100+ concurrent players.

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Essential Resources to Start

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Start with 50-75 core resources, add more based on player feedback.

Absolute Must-Haves (30 Resources)

Framework Core:

1. ESX Legacy or QBCore
2. oxmysql (database connector)
3. ox_lib (shared library)

Voice & Communication: 4. pma-voice (voice chat) 5. saltychat (alternative voice) 6. screenshot-basic (ID verification)

Jobs - Emergency Services: 7. esx_policejob / qb-policejob 8. esx_ambulancejob / qb-ambulancejob

Jobs - Civilian: 9. Mechanic job 10. Taxi job 11. Trucker job 12. Mining job 13. Lumberjack job

Economy: 14. Banking system 15. ATM script 16. Shops (24/7, weapon, clothing) 17. Garage system 18. Fuel system

Housing: 19. Housing script (qb-houses or esx_property) 20. Inventory for houses

Vehicles: 21. Vehicle shop 22. Vehicle customization (bennys) 23. Vehicle keys

UI/UX: 24. HUD (esx_hud or custom) 25. Progress bars 26. Notifications (mythic_notify) 27. Context menu (ox_lib or qb-menu)

Admin Tools: 28. txAdmin (server management) 29. Admin menu (esx_admin or qb-admin) 30. Anti-cheat (built-in or custom)

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Quality of Life (20 Resources)

Player Experience: 31. Phone system (GCPhone, lb-phone, qb-phone) 32. Death/respawn system 33. Character creation (fivem-appearance) 34. Clothing shops 35. Barber shops 36. Tattoo shops 37. ID cards 38. Inventory system (ox_inventory)

World Interaction: 39. Door locks 40. Elevators 41. Teleports 42. Blips/map markers

Realism: 43. Hunger/thirst system 44. Stamina system 45. Stress/mental health 46. Weather sync 47. Time sync

Social: 48. Emotes/animations 49. Pointing system 50. Carry/drag players

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Advanced Features (25+ Resources)

Crime: 51. Drug system (growing, processing, selling) 52. Robbery scripts (stores, banks, jewelry) 53. Chop shop 54. Money laundering 55. Gang territories 56. Weapon crafting

Business: 57. Real estate 58. Business ownership 59. Stock market 60. Farming 61. Fishing 62. Mining operations

Government: 63. Court system 64. Mayor/government 65. Laws and bills 66. Voting system

Immersion: 67. Realistic vehicle damage 68. Vehicle failures 69. Towing/impound 70. Racing system 71. Casino/gambling 72. Auction house 73. Radio stations 74. News system 75. Character aging/relationships

⚠️ Warning: More resources ≠ better server. Focus on quality over quantity. 100 well-optimized resources > 300 laggy ones.

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Resource Quality Checklist

Before installing any resource, verify:

✅ Performance:

• Check GitHub issues for performance complaints
• Test in dev server first
• Monitor server tick time after adding

✅ Compatibility:

• Verify framework compatibility (ESX/QB)
• Check conflicts with existing resources
• Read dependencies carefully

✅ Support:

• Active developer (commits within 6 months)
• Documentation available
• Support Discord/forum

✅ Security:

• No backdoors (scan with tools)
• Source code review
• Community reputation

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Building Your Economy

Your economy makes or breaks player retention. Too generous = no progression. Too harsh = frustration.

Economy Planning Worksheet

Starting Values:

• Starting cash: $________
• Starting bank: $________
• Starter vehicle: Yes / No
• Starter house: Yes / No

Income Rates (per hour):

• Lowest paying job: $________
• Mid-tier job: $________
• Police/EMS: $________
• Highest legal job: $________
• Average crime profit: $________ (with risk)

Major Purchases:

• Cheapest house: $________
• Average house: $________
• Luxury house: $________
• Cheapest car: $________
• Sports car: $________
• Supercar: $________

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Recommended Economy Tiers

Realistic/Slow Progression:

Starting: $5,000 cash + $0 bank
Jobs: $50-150/hr (legal), $200-400/hr (crime w/ risk)
Deaths: -$500 medical + item loss
Houses: $100k-500k
Cars: $15k-200k
Goal: 40-60 hours for first house, 100+ for luxury items

Balanced/Medium Progression:

Starting: $7,500 cash + $2,500 bank
Jobs: $80-200/hr (legal), $300-600/hr (crime w/ risk)
Deaths: -$300 medical + 50% item loss
Houses: $50k-300k
Cars: $10k-150k
Goal: 25-40 hours for first house, 60-80 for luxury items

Casual/Fast Progression:

Starting: $10,000 cash + $5,000 bank
Jobs: $150-300/hr (legal), $400-800/hr (crime w/ risk)
Deaths: -$150 medical + 25% item loss
Houses: $25k-150k
Cars: $5k-100k
Goal: 10-20 hours for first house, 30-50 for luxury items

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Economy Testing

Before launch, have beta testers play for 10 hours and track:

• Hours to first vehicle purchase
• Hours to first house purchase
• Total earnings per hour (average)
• Death penalty impact
• Crime vs legal job balance

Adjust if:

• Players reach endgame in <30 hours → Increase prices or reduce income
• Players can’t afford basics after 10 hours → Increase income or reduce prices
• Nobody does crime → Crime too risky or not profitable enough
• Everyone does crime → Legal jobs too weak or crime too easy

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Community & Rules

Your rules and culture determine your server’s reputation and longevity.

Whitelist vs Public

Whitelist (Application Required):

Pros:

• ✅ Higher quality roleplay
• ✅ Fewer trolls/RDMers
• ✅ Serious player base
• ✅ Better community culture

Cons:

• ❌ Slower growth
• ❌ Application review workload
• ❌ May exclude good players
• ❌ Higher barrier to entry

Best For: Serious RP, hardcore communities, 18+ servers

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Public (No Application):

Pros:

• ✅ Fast growth
• ✅ No application workload
• ✅ Lower barrier to entry
• ✅ Larger player pool

Cons:

• ❌ More trolls/rule breakers
• ❌ Inconsistent RP quality
• ❌ Higher moderation needs
• ❌ Reputation challenges

Best For: Casual RP, beginner-friendly, rapid scaling

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Essential Server Rules

1. General Conduct:

• No racism, sexism, homophobia, hate speech
• Respect all players and staff
• No advertising other servers
• English only (or specify language)
• Age requirement (if any)

2. Roleplay Rules:

• No RDM (Random Deathmatch)
• No VDM (Vehicle Deathmatch)
• No fail RP (unrealistic behavior)
• No metagaming (using OOC info IC)
• No powergaming (forcing RP on others)
• Value life (fear RP)
• New Life Rule after respawn

3. Combat/Crime Rules:

• Initiation required before shooting
• No combat logging (leaving during fight)
• No spawn killing
• No robbing new players
• No scamming out-of-character

4. Job-Specific Rules:

• Police: Proper procedures, no corruption (or allowed)
• EMS: Neutral, treat all equally
• Mechanics: Fair pricing
• Gang members: Territory rules

5. Voice/Communication:

• Push-to-talk required
• No voice changers (or specify allowed)
• IC in local, OOC in designated channels
• No music/soundboards

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Punishment System

Recommended Structure:

Minor Offenses (RDM, Fail RP, VDM):

• 1st: Verbal warning
• 2nd: 24-hour ban
• 3rd: 7-day ban
• 4th: 30-day ban
• 5th: Permanent ban

Major Offenses (Cheating, Racism, Harassment):

• 1st: 30-day to permanent ban
• Appeals reviewed case-by-case

Keep Records:

• Log all punishments
• Document evidence (clips, screenshots)
• Track repeat offenders
• Review bans monthly

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Launch Strategy

Don’t just open your server and hope people show up. Plan your launch.

Pre-Launch Phase (2-4 Weeks Before)

Week 1: Beta Testing

• Invite 10-20 friends/staff
• Test all jobs
• Balance economy
• Fix critical bugs
• Gather feedback

Week 2: Staff Training

• Train moderators on rules
• Practice admin tools
• Role-play scenarios
• Emergency protocols

Week 3: Marketing Prep

• Create Discord server
• Design server logo/branding
• Write announcements
• Prepare social media

Week 4: Soft Launch

• Open to 16-32 players
• Monitor closely
• Quick iteration on feedback
• Build initial community

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Launch Day Checklist

24 Hours Before:

• Final server backup
• Test all scripts one more time
• Verify txAdmin settings
• Check database connection
• Test spawn points
• Verify whitelist (if applicable)
• Staff availability confirmed
• Discord channels set up

Launch Day:

• Server online 1 hour before announced time
• Staff in Discord voice channels
• Announcement posted in Discord
• Post on Reddit (r/FiveM, r/FiveMServers)
• Post on FiveM server listing sites
• Monitor console for errors
• Staff ready to help new players

First 48 Hours:

• Staff online 24/7 if possible (rotate shifts)
• Quick response to issues
• Gather player feedback
• Fix critical bugs immediately
• Document all issues for future

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Marketing Your Server

Free Marketing:

1. FiveM Server Lists:

• TopRPServers.com
• FiveM-Servers.com
• JoinRP.com
• GTA5RP.com

2. Social Media:

• Reddit: r/FiveM, r/FiveMServers, r/gtaonline
• Discord: Server listing servers
• TikTok: Short clips of RP moments
• Twitter: Updates and events

3. Partnerships:

• Partner with small streamers (profit-share)
• Collaborate with similar servers
• Cross-promote with complementary communities

4. Content Creation:

• Record RP scenarios
• Create trailer video
• Share funny moments
• Highlight unique features

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Paid Marketing (Optional):

Server Boosting:

• TopRPServers: $10-30/mo for featured slot
• FiveM-Servers: $5-20/mo

Influencer Promotion:

• Small streamers (100-500 viewers): $50-100/stream
• Medium streamers (500-2000 viewers): $100-500/stream
• Large streamers (2000+ viewers): $500-2000+/stream

Discord/Reddit Ads:

• $50-200/month targeted advertising

💡 Budget Tip: Start with free marketing. Only pay for ads once you’ve proven retention (players returning after first visit).

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Growth & Scaling

Your server is live and has players. Now what?

Key Metrics to Track

Daily:

• Peak players online
• Average session length
• New player count
• Ban/kick count
• Server performance (TPS)

Weekly:

• Retention rate (players returning after first visit)
• Average daily players
• Popular jobs/activities
• Common complaints

Monthly:

• Total unique players
• Active player base
• Revenue (if monetized)
• Staff activity
• Resource usage

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Growth Milestones

0-10 Players (Survival Mode): Goal: Keep initial players engaged

• Daily events
• Personal attention to each player
• Quick iteration on feedback
• Build core community culture

10-30 Players (Foundation): Goal: Establish systems and culture

• Hire more staff
• Standardize procedures
• Create regular events
• Document everything

30-64 Players (Scaling): Goal: Maintain quality while growing

• Upgrade hosting
• Expand staff team
• More job opportunities
• Advanced features

64+ Players (Established): Goal: Innovation and retention

• Custom development
• Unique events
• Partnerships
• Community-driven content

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When to Upgrade Hosting

Signs You Need More Resources:

1. Server Tick Time >30ms consistently
2. RAM usage >85% regularly
3. Player complaints about lag
4. Hitting max player count daily
5. Restarts needed multiple times daily

Upgrade Path:

Launch: 4-6GB RAM, 32 slots
Month 2-3: 6-8GB RAM, 48 slots
Month 4-6: 8-12GB RAM, 64 slots
Month 6+: 12-16GB RAM, 96+ slots

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Keeping Players Engaged

Weekly:

• Scheduled events (races, treasure hunts, etc.)
• Community meetings
• Staff ride-alongs
• Featured player spotlights

Monthly:

• Major updates
• Seasonal events
• Economy tweaks
• New jobs/features

Quarterly:

• Major content expansions
• Map additions
• System overhauls
• Community surveys

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Monetization

If done ethically, monetization sustains your server long-term.

Allowed Monetization (Rockstar ToS)

✅ Acceptable:

• Donations (optional, no benefits)
• Cosmetic perks (custom clothing, vehicles)
• Priority queue
• Name colors/tags
• Custom license plates

❌ Not Allowed:

• Pay-to-win mechanics
• In-game money for real money
• Exclusive jobs behind paywall
• Gameplay advantages for donations
• Locking content entirely

⚠️ Critical: Violating Rockstar’s ToS can result in server takedown. Keep perks cosmetic only.

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Monetization Strategies

Tier 1: Basic ($5-10/mo per member)

• Priority queue (skip to front)
• Custom clothing access
• Discord role/badge
• Name color in-game

Tier 2: Premium ($15-25/mo per member)

• All Tier 1 benefits
• Custom license plate
• Exclusive vehicle skins
• Beta access to new features
• Supporter Discord channel

Tier 3: VIP ($30-50/mo per member)

• All previous benefits
• Custom apartment/house
• Unique vehicle
• Name in credits
• Monthly meetup with owner

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Donation Platform Options

Tebex (Recommended):

• Built for gaming communities
• Secure payments
• Recurring subscriptions
• Integration with FiveM

Patreon:

• Subscription-focused
• Community features
• Familiar to users

Ko-fi:

• Simple one-time donations
• Low fees

PayPal:

• Direct donations
• No platform fees (but PayPal fees)

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Realistic Revenue Expectations

Small Server (20 avg players):

• 2-5% donate
• Average $10/mo per donor
• Revenue: $4-10/mo
• Cost: $20-30/mo hosting
• Net: -$16 to -$26/mo (passion project)

Medium Server (40 avg players):

• 5-10% donate
• Average $12/mo per donor
• Revenue: $24-48/mo
• Cost: $30-50/mo hosting
• Net: -$6 to -$2/mo (break even)

Large Server (80 avg players):

• 8-12% donate
• Average $15/mo per donor
• Revenue: $96-144/mo
• Cost: $60-80/mo hosting + staff
• Net: +$16 to +$64/mo (sustainable)

Established Server (150+ avg players):

• 10-15% donate
• Average $18/mo per donor
• Revenue: $270-405/mo
• Cost: $100-150/mo hosting + staff
• Net: +$120 to +$255/mo (profitable)

💡 Reality Check: Most servers don’t make money. Run your server because you’re passionate, not to get rich.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to set up a FiveM server?

Using Managed Hosting (Recommended):

• Initial setup: 2-5 minutes
• Framework installation: 10-15 minutes
• Resource configuration: 4-8 hours
• Testing and balancing: 1-2 weeks
• Total: 2-3 weeks to launch-ready

Using VPS (Self-Hosted):

• VPS setup: 1-2 hours
• txAdmin installation: 30 minutes
• Framework installation: 15-30 minutes
• Resource configuration: 6-12 hours
• Testing and balancing: 1-2 weeks
• Total: 3-4 weeks to launch-ready

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How much does it cost to start a FiveM server?

Minimum Budget (Small Server):

• Hosting: $15-20/mo
• Domain: $10-15/year
• FiveM license: Free
• Resources: $0-50 (mostly free)
• Total First Month: $25-40

Recommended Budget (Medium Server):

• Hosting: $25-40/mo
• Domain: $10-15/year
• Premium resources: $50-200 one-time
• Marketing: $0-50/mo
• Total First Month: $85-255

Ongoing Monthly:

• Hosting: $25-40
• New resources: $20-50
• Marketing: $0-50
• Total: $45-140/mo

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Should I use ESX or QBCore?

Choose ESX if:

• First-time server owner
• Want maximum resource compatibility
• Prioritize stability over performance
• Need easy staff training
• Budget is tight (free resources)

Choose QBCore if:

• Experienced with FiveM
• Prioritize performance
• Comfortable developing custom scripts
• Want modern features out-of-box
• Planning for 64+ players

Both are excellent. Start with ESX, switch to QB later if needed.

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Can I run a profitable FiveM server?

Short Answer: Eventually, but don’t expect it immediately.

Reality:

• First 3-6 months: Expect to lose money
• Months 6-12: Break even if successful
• Year 2+: Potential profit if well-managed

Factors for Profitability:

• Server size (80+ avg players needed)
• Donation rate (10%+ needed)
• Operating costs (keep hosting under $100/mo)
• Staff costs (volunteers vs paid)

Advice: Run your server because you love it, not for money. Profit is a bonus, not a guarantee.

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How do I prevent my server from dying?

Top Reasons Servers Fail:

1. Lack of players → Improve marketing
2. Toxic community → Strict moderation
3. Boring gameplay → Regular updates/events
4. Admin abuse → Staff accountability
5. Poor performance → Optimize/upgrade

Success Formula:

• Consistent updates (weekly)
• Active staff presence
• Clear rules and enforcement
• Community-driven development
• Regular events
• Responsive to feedback

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What’s the best way to find staff?

Recruitment Strategy:

1. Promote from Within:

• Watch for active, helpful players
• Invite to staff application
• Trial period before full permissions

2. Application Process:

• Basic questions (age, experience, availability)
• Scenario questions (how would you handle X)
• Reference check (other communities)

3. Staff Roles:

• Moderators — Handle reports, enforce rules
• Admins — Advanced permissions, events
• Developers — Script development, fixes
• Support — Help new players
• Event Coordinators — Plan and run events

Staff Requirements:

• 18+ (for serious servers)
• Mature and professional
• Available 10+ hours/week
• Good communication
• Thick skin (handle criticism)

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How many resources should I install?

Recommended Count:

Small Server (8-16 players):

• 30-50 resources
• Focus on essentials
• Minimal custom scripts

Medium Server (32-48 players):

• 75-100 resources
• Core jobs and features
• Some custom content

Large Server (64+ players):

• 100-150 resources
• Comprehensive job system
• Significant custom development

⚠️ Warning: More resources ≠ better. 50 optimized resources > 200 laggy ones.

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Can I make money from donations?

Yes, with restrictions:

Rockstar Allows:

• Optional donations
• Cosmetic perks
• Priority queue
• Server costs coverage

Rockstar Prohibits:

• Pay-to-win
• In-game currency sales
• Exclusive gameplay locked behind paywall

Tax Implications:

• Donations are taxable income (US)
• Track all income and expenses
• Consult tax professional if making $500+/month

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Your Path to Success

Creating a successful FiveM server is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s your action plan:

First 30 Days

Week 1:

• Choose framework (ESX or QBCore)
• Select hosting provider
• Install framework and core resources
• Test basic functionality

Week 2:

• Install job scripts
• Configure economy
• Set up housing/vehicles
• Create server rules

Week 3:

• Beta test with friends
• Balance economy based on feedback
• Train staff
• Prepare marketing

Week 4:

• Soft launch (limited slots)
• Gather player feedback
• Fix critical bugs
• Adjust based on data

Months 2-3

• Regular weekly updates
• Build core community
• Expand features based on feedback
• Upgrade hosting if needed
• Hire additional staff

Months 4-6

• Major content updates
• Marketing push
• Monetization implementation (optional)
• Scale to target player count
• Establish server reputation

Beyond 6 Months

• Custom development
• Unique features
• Community-driven roadmap
• Consider profitability
• Long-term sustainability

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Start Your FiveM Server Today

Option 1: DIY Setup (3-4 weeks)

1. Rent VPS
2. Install txAdmin
3. Choose and install framework
4. Configure 100+ resources
5. Test and balance
6. Launch

Option 2: Managed Hosting (1-2 weeks)

1. Choose Mamba Host FiveM plan
2. Select RAM & location (4-6GB recommended)
3. Complete order (instant setup)
4. txAdmin auto-installed
5. Choose ESX or QBCore recipe
6. Customize and launch!

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Mamba Host FiveM Features:

• ✅ txAdmin pre-configured
• ✅ ESX/QBCore one-click install
• ✅ MySQL database included
• ✅ NVMe storage (critical for FiveM)
• ✅ DDoS protection included
• ✅ 24/7 Discord + ticket support
• ✅ Daily automatic backups
• ✅ 99.9% uptime guarantee
• ✅ Instant setup (<2 minutes)
• ✅ Easy scaling (upgrade anytime)
• ✅ Starting at $14.99/mo

View FiveM Hosting Plans →

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Need help planning your server? Join our Discord community where experienced FiveM owners share advice, or contact our team for personalized recommendations!

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Last updated: October 24, 2025 Target keyword: “fivem server creation” (3,200 monthly searches) Related: “how to make a fivem server”, “fivem server setup guide”