HelmForge
HelmForge: A free panel for self-hosters who need provisioning, backups and access controls. Ranked #18 of 32 in Game Server Control Panels by our editors (7.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free self-hosters wanting secure basics.
At a glance
- Editor score7.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree self-hosters wanting secure basics
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported gamesPalworld, Minecraft Java, Minecraft Modded, Minecraft Bedrock, Space Engineers, Empyrion, Star Rupture, VEIN, HumanitZ
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free Self-host plan with unlimited servers and custom templates
- Multi-node management with provisioning, backups, scheduling and updates
- 2FA, RBAC, audit logs and browser-based live console
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires your own hardware
- Built-in game coverage is limited to nine named templates
- Mod and plugin management is not verified
Our verdict on HelmForge
HelmForge is a self-hosted control panel for Dockerised dedicated game servers running on your own hardware. It suits individuals and teams that want to create, manage and update game servers through a web interface rather than configure each deployment manually. The panel runs on web and Linux, supports multi-node agents, and provides built-in templates for Palworld, Minecraft Java, Minecraft Modded, Minecraft Bedrock, Space Engineers, Empyrion, Star Rupture, VEIN and HumanitZ. Custom YAML templates extend its scope to additional containerised dedicated servers.
The published Self-host plan costs 0 forever and includes all nine built-in game templates, unlimited servers, custom templates and multi-node agents. It also includes backups, scheduling, updates, a file manager, a configuration editor and a browser-based live console. There is no paid tier described, so the product's value is concentrated in self-hosted operation and the included administrative features. That makes the pricing straightforward for users comfortable providing and maintaining their own infrastructure.
HelmForge's strongest fit is operational control: scheduled backups and updates cover recurring maintenance, while role-based access control, audit logging and TOTP two-factor authentication add administrative safeguards. Integrations with Cloudflare Tunnel, SMTP, SFTP, SMB, cloud storage and webhooks support connectivity, notifications and file or storage workflows. The main boundary is breadth: built-in coverage is limited to nine named games, and mod or plugin management is not verified. Choose HelmForge for free, self-hosted basics with custom templates and multi-node management; choose an alternative if broad game coverage or confirmed mod and plugin tooling is central to your requirements.
Your product? Our editors can test HelmForge in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
HelmForge pricing
All 1 HelmForge plans and prices →
HelmForge fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported games | Palworld, Minecraft Java, Minecraft Modded, Minecraft Bedrock, Space Engineers, Empyrion, Star Rupture, VEIN, HumanitZ |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Server provisioning | Yes |
| Mods and plugins | Not verified |
| Scheduled backups | Yes |
| Managed server limit | Not verified |
| Role access controls | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Linux |
| Compliance & security | 2FA |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Cloudflare Tunnel, SMTP, SFTP, SMB, cloud storage, webhooks |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | helmforge.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
HelmForge integrations
HelmForge lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Cloudflare Tunnel
- SMTP
- SFTP
- SMB
- cloud storage
- webhooks
Alternatives to HelmForge
- AMPA feature-rich paid panel for managing diverse self-hosted game-server deployments.9.4
- GameCPA flexible, low-cost control panel for operators managing multiple game-server nodes.9.3
- GameServerAppA broad cloud control panel with automation, integrations, and community revenue tools.9.1
See all HelmForge alternatives →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used HelmForge for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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