How to Start Your Own FiveM Server in 2025

The complete 2025 guide for new server owners - simple, fast, and future-proof

Running your own FiveM server isn't just about hosting a game, it's about building a community and creating unique and fun game-play experiences. Whether you are a roleplay, freeroam, or any other type of server, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to get started in the right way.

1. Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have:

• A Windows or Linux machine (most preferably a VPS or a dedicated server)

• At least 4 GB RAM and 15+ GB of free storage

• A stable internet connection

• Basic understanding with file management

• A MySQL database

Got lost in the sauce? Don't worry, here is the short rundown of what you need and what we recommend:

What operating system should you use:

• Windows

  • Pros:

    • Most popular operating system

    • The simplest to get started with

  • Cons:

    • Takes a toll on performance

    • Heavy on the server

• Linux

  • Pros

    • Many options for distros (a distro for Linux is the operating system built on Linux, i.e Ubuntu, Kali Linux, etc)

    • Super lightweight and fast

  • Cons

    • Hard to get started with

    • Less popular than Windows

What we recommend?

While Windows is the obvious choice for some, we believe that the benefits of using Linux outweighs the benefits of using Windows for FiveM.
Our recommendation for Linux: get a game panel for a simple, user-friendly way to control and create servers, we recommend Pterodactyl, since it is open source, easy to install, lightweight, and super customizable and user friendly.
Many hosting providers will offer a pterodactyl panel installation with your purchase of a VPS.

2. Download a FiveM Server Build

A FiveM server build (aka an Artifact) will provide your system the tools to run a FiveM server at it's very core.

NOTE: if you are using Pterodactyl, this step is not required, as Pterodactyl will handle the installation of the latest build.

There are two options for getting a server build:

1. The Official Way

   1. You need to install the latest recommended build from either Windows server build listing, or from the Linux server build listing, depending on the operating system you chose earlier.

2. The Better Way

   1. Head to JG-Scripts FiveM Artifacts DB and download the Latest artifacts with no reported issues for your operating system

Why is the official way not the best?
FiveM server builds are notorious for having major issues and bugs, that can in some cases make your server nonfunctional. Thus, JG-Scripts, a popular script store, has taken the initiative of creating a listing with server builds that are buggy, nonfunctional, etc.

Once you have installed your server build, extract it in a location that you will remember, and run the FXServer executable (might be named different on Linux).

Congratulations! You are now one step closer to start your own server :)

3. TXAdmin, and the setup.

If you have done step 2 successfully, you should now have a terminal that says FXServer. That's a good sign!
You should now be able to access TXAdmin, which will be your best friend when managing a FiveM server.

Go to your preferred browser (i.e Chrome, Firefox, etc), and go to http://localhost:40120, you should now be greeted with a screen asking you to log in. It will ask you to put a code, which can be found in the terminal. Once you enter it, you'll be prompted to login using your FiveM account (or create one if you don't have one).

Now it is going to prompt you to create a txAdmin user, follow the steps and create an account.

You are now prompted with a form asking you for information about your server

Put the name you want for your server, and click next.

You are now prompted to pick your deployment type, pick "Popular Recipes", it will take take of installing the framework and configuring.

After clicking next, it is going to ask you for a template, the options are as follow:

1. FiveM Basic Server (CFX Default), default server with no scripts

2. ESX Legacy, the OG in the space, most used framework for RP.

3. QBCore, the most popular framework for RP

4. QBox, the new kids in town, a modern and optimized fork of QBCore, with full backwards compatibility

Picking a framework is purely preference, you can read our blog on "Which FiveM Framework To Use In 2025" for a detailed overview of each framework, including pros and cons of each.

Hit next until you reach the Recipe Deployer

4. Recipe Deployer

The recipe deployer handles installing and setting up everything needed for your server.

Head to Step 2: Input Parameters
In this step you need to:

1. Put your Server Registration key (aka License Key), can be obtained in the Cfx.re Portal

2. If you have set up your database outside of your current machine, changed password/user, click on Show/Hide Database options (advanced) and put the details

3. Click Run Recipe

Wait for the recipe to finish running, and click next.

This is the step most server owners skip on, Configure server.cfg.
Take the time and effort to look over the configuration, and change what you need.

When you are done, click Save & Run Server

Congratulations! You have successfully set up your server.

5. What's Next?

You have reached the fun part, you are now able to fully customize and create your server.

Here are our suggestion for what to do next:

1. Install necessary open-source scripts

   1. ox_lib, required by most frameworks and scripts

   2. ox_inventory, the best free inventory system available

2. Install extra open-source scripts

   1. ps_adminmenu, simple and reliable admin menu

   2. pickle_prisons, immersive prison system for RP servers

   3. JD_Logs, Discord-based logging and moderation tool

   4. it-drugs, complete drug system for deeper gameplay

3. Customize with Premium Content

   1. Want to go further? Browse trusted script and MLO stores to find unique assets that match your server’s theme. From custom interiors to advanced systems, this is where your vision comes alive.

   2. You can find many high quality stores on our stores page!

6. Grow Your Server

You’ve put in the work - now share it with the world.

List your server on 5m.network to reach more players, boost visibility, and connect with other creators.

Free forever, no strings attached.

7. Final Thoughts

Starting a FiveM server in 2025 is easier than ever - but building a community takes creativity, patience, and consistency.

Experiment, learn, don't be afraid to try new things. Every great server started as an idea - yours could be the next big one.

Keep exploring, keep building, and we'll see you on 5m.network 🚀