How Pay-as-You-Go Game Server Billing Works

AleForge’s pay-as-you-go game server hosting operates on a prepaid credit system. You simply add credit to your account, and your server draws from that balance each minute. Because we utilize strict per-minute billing, a 20-minute gaming session costs exactly 20 minutes of server time; it is never rounded up to a full hour. There are no monthly invoices for these specific services.

You can seamlessly maintain standard monthly servers on the same AleForge account; those traditional services will remain on their own separate billing cycles.

What You Pay For

Our flexible billing model ensures you only pay for what you consume:

• RAM and CPU: Billed only while the game server is actively running. This charge is based on what the server actually uses, rather than the maximum limit you set.
• Disk Space: Billed continuously based on your configured disk limit so your world remains securely saved. This continuous charge applies while the server is stopped and during the 7-day window when a server might sit suspended.
• Databases and Backup Slots: Billed only while a slot is actively in use. An empty slot incurs a $0 charge, and automatic system backups are completely free.

When Credit is Deducted

A single credit balance covers every pay-as-you-go server hosted on your account. Server usage is deducted at the end of the UTC month, or immediately if your remaining balance reaches $0. Your “remaining balance” is your total added credit minus any usage that has not yet been formally deducted.

The email you receive at the end of the month is simply a usage summary for your servers; it is not an invoice requiring payment.

For a full breakdown of hourly and per-minute rates, review our Pay-as-You-Go Prices. To fund your account, please read How to Add Credit.