Dedicated server vs listen server
A listen server runs on one player’s machine, making that player both the host and a participant in the match. A dedicated server runs on separate hardware where no player is the host. The choice shapes fairness, cost, and how your game scales.
What is a listen server?
On a listen server, one player’s machine acts as both server and client at the same time. Other players connect to that player. Because the server is literally running on the host’s computer, the host has zero latency to the server — an inherent advantage over everyone else. If the host quits, the match ends or has to perform host migration to move the server role to another player.
Listen servers are common in co-op games, casual multiplayer, and titles where infrastructure cost would be high relative to revenue (small indie games with low concurrent players). They’re cheap — there’s no server hardware to pay for — but they trade away fairness and reliability.
What is a dedicated server?
A dedicated server runs on managed infrastructure (bare metal or cloud), and every player connects to it as a client. The server is authoritative: it runs the simulation, validates inputs, and sends state updates. No player gets a latency advantage from “being the host.” Dedicated servers are the standard for competitive multiplayer, esports, and any game where fairness matters — but they require infrastructure, either self-hosted or through a game server hosting platform.
When to use which
- Dedicated server — competitive games, ranked modes, games with anti-cheat, anything where fairness is non-negotiable, and sessions with more than ~4 players.
- Listen server — co-op games (2–4 players), games where one player “hosts” by design, and prototyping before committing to infrastructure costs.
Most Unreal Engine and Unity games start with listen servers during development and switch to dedicated servers before launch. The engine code is largely the same — the difference is where the server binary runs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a listen server? A game server that runs on one player’s own machine, making that player both the host and a participant. Other players connect to them. The host has zero latency to the server, and if they leave, the match ends or has to migrate the host role.
What’s the difference between a dedicated server and a listen server? A dedicated server runs on separate, neutral hardware with no player as host — everyone connects as a client. A listen server runs on a player’s machine, so that player is both host and participant and has a built-in latency advantage.
Which is better, a dedicated or a listen server? For competitive or fairness-sensitive games, dedicated — no player has a host advantage and the server stays up when players leave. For small co-op or casual games, a listen server is cheaper and good enough.
Do listen servers cost money to host? No — that’s their appeal. The server runs on a player’s own machine, so there’s no infrastructure bill. The trade-off is fairness, reliability, and the match ending if the host quits.