The two ARK games host very differently: ARK: Survival Ascended is the newer Unreal Engine 5 version that needs far more RAM and loads mods from CurseForge, while ARK: Survival Evolved is lighter to run and uses Steam Workshop mods.
Same panel, two different games
Both games run on the same GuavaHost Pterodactyl control panel, both use GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini for their settings, and both share the same admin commands like enablecheats. Where they differ is in resources, mods, ports and maps. Here is what actually changes when you choose one over the other.
RAM and hardware
This is the biggest practical difference.
- ARK: Survival Evolved: 6 to 12 GB covers most servers.
- ARK: Survival Ascended: 16 GB is a sensible minimum, and 16 to 24 GB once you add players or mods.
If you are on a tighter budget, ASE is much friendlier to run. ASA buys you the newer visuals at the cost of a lot more memory.
Mods
- ASA: mods come from CurseForge, added by their numeric mod IDs.
- ASE: mods come from the Steam Workshop, added by their Workshop IDs.
The two libraries are separate, and a mod built for one game will not work on the other.
Maps
- ASE has every map and DLC available today, including The Island, Scorched Earth, Aberration, Extinction and Genesis, plus free maps like Ragnarok, Valguero, Crystal Isles, Fjordur and Lost Island.
- ASA maps release over time, and their internal names carry a WP suffix, for example TheIslandWP`, reflecting the engine's World Partition system. Use that exact name when you set the map or transfer a save.
Ports and the server browser
- ASE uses game port 7777 plus a separate Steam query port, often 27015, that Steam favorites rely on.
- ASA dropped the separate query port and uses just the game port.
That changes how players find your server, which is worth knowing if you point friends at a favorites entry.
Crossplay
ASA is built around crossplay, so PC and console players can share a server more easily. ASE dedicated servers for unofficial hosting are generally PC-focused. If mixing PC and console players matters to you, ASA is the safer bet.
Which should you pick
- Choose ASA for the latest visuals, an active modding scene and crossplay, and budget for 16 GB or more of RAM.
- Choose ASE for lower running costs, a huge and mature mod library, and every map available right now.
Either way you get free DDoS protection, NVMe SSD storage, instant setup and your choice of region (United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Poland, Australia or South America) on GuavaHost. You can upgrade RAM any time from guavahost.com/account. Just note that saves do not transfer between the two games, since their world formats are not compatible.
Still stuck? Jump into our Discord at discord.gg/GuavaHost and the team will help you out.