Head-to-head · Garry's Mod Server Hosting
Shockbyte vs Sparked Host
Shockbyte leads on 2 checks, Sparked Host on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreShockbyte · 8.9/10
- Lowest starting priceSparked Host · $2/mo
- Free trialonly Sparked Host
- Most featuresShockbyte · 2 of 3
Shockbyte scores higher on our rubric for garry's mod server hosting: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
Sparked Host is cheaper to start at $2/mo against $4.99/mo. Shockbyte leads on locations: 13 locations versus 11 locations. Shockbyte leads on refund window: 3 days versus 2 days.
Shockbyte is the better fit for A first GMod server built on Workshop content. Sparked Host is the better fit for tiny build servers and first-time owners.
- Shockbyte fits best
A first GMod server built on Workshop content
- Sparked Host fits best
Tiny build servers and first-time owners
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Side by side
| Feature | Shockbyte 8.9/10 Visit ↗ | Sparked Host 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.9 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #3 in Garry's Mod Server Hosting | #5 in Garry's Mod Server Hosting |
| Best for | A first GMod server built on Workshop content | Tiny build servers and first-time owners |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $4.99/mo | $2/mo (best) |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Features Shockbyte 2/3 · Sparked Host 1/3 | ||
| Workshop content | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Gamemode installs | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| DDoS protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Entry slots | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Entry RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Locations | 13 locations (best) | 11 locations |
| Refund window | 3 days (best) | 2 days |
| Priced by | Fixed plans by RAM | Per GB of RAM on three hardware tiers |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Shockbyte's Garry's Mod plans are named after in-game tools: Crowbar with 1 GB for $4.99 a month, Tool Gun with 3 GB for $9.99 and Physics Gun with 4 GB or more for $11.99, with 10 percent off quarterly and 25 percent off annually. Plans… Read the review → |
Sparked Host offers Garry's Mod on all three of its hardware tiers, which makes it the cheapest entry in this list. The Budget tier, dual Xeon E5-2698v4 with DDR4 and RAID SSDs at $1 per GB, starts at $2.00 a month for 1 GB, $4.00 for 2 GB… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Shockbyte — where it wins
- Steam Workshop collections supported, with a Workshop maps guide
- Guide for installing any gamemode, from Prop Hunt to TTT
- 72-hour self-serve refund on the GMod plans
Where it doesn't
- The Tool Gun plan jumps to $9.99 for 3 GB
- No MySQL database listed on the plans
- No trial before paying
Sparked Host — where it wins
- Budget tier sells 1 GB for $2.00 a month
- Advertises support for DarkRP, TTT, SWRP and Prop Hunt
- One-day free trial and a 48-hour refund
Where it doesn't
- Budget tier runs on older Xeon E5-2698v4 CPUs
- Enterprise hardware costs more than twice as much per GB
- No Workshop collection steps on the page
- Shockbyte8.9/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game
1 GB GMod servers from $4.99 with Steam Workshop collections, plugin support and a 72-hour refund.
Visit ShockbyteFull verdict → - Sparked Host8.6/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game
The cheapest GMod entry here, 1 GB for $2 a month on its budget tier, with DarkRP, TTT and Prop Hunt support.
Visit Sparked HostFull verdict →
More options
More comparisons
All garry's mod server hosting comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update