Best Lightweight Game Servers for self-hosting

Open-source remake of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

Replaces RollerCoaster Tycoon

Containerized Minecraft Java server image

Replaces Minecraft Realms

Self-hostable browser version of the 2048 sliding puzzle

Replaces Mobile puzzle games

High-performance Minecraft server software

Replaces Vanilla Minecraft server

Open-source reimplementation of Civilization V

Replaces Civilization V

Open-source transport simulation game with servers

Replaces Transport Tycoon

Open-source factory-building puzzle game

Replaces Factorio

Turn-based fantasy strategy with multiplayer server

Replaces Heroes of Might and Magic

Bridge that lets Bedrock players join Java Minecraft servers

Replaces Minecraft cross-play workarounds

Lightweight, scalable game server framework in Go

Replaces proprietary game backends

Free 3D kart racing game with online servers

Replaces Mario Kart

Narrative scripting language for interactive fiction games

Replaces Yarn Spinner

Command-line tool for dedicated game servers

Replaces TCAdmin, Multicraft

Open-source 3D real-time strategy game

Replaces Command & Conquer

Open-source tool for telling interactive nonlinear stories

Replaces Inklewriter

Free historical real-time strategy game

Replaces Age of Empires

Maintained Quake III Arena engine with dedicated server

Replaces Quake III Arena original

3D web-based map renderer for Minecraft worlds

Replaces Dynmap

Retro 2D multiplayer shooter with servers

Replaces Worms, Soldat

Self-hosted block-stacking puzzle game in the browser

Replaces Tetris

Essential commands and tools plugin for Minecraft servers

Replaces commercial server management plugins

Modern high-performance Minecraft server proxy

Replaces BungeeCord

Self-hosted server list redirect for Minecraft Bedrock consoles

Replaces Console server restrictions

Open-source reimplementation of Chris Sawyer's Locomotion

Replaces Chris Sawyer's Locomotion original

Docker image for running Minecraft Bedrock Edition servers

Replaces Minecraft Realms

Dedicated server for the Freeciv turn-based strategy game

Replaces Civilization

Lightweight Java server software for Minecraft Bedrock Edition

Replaces Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server

Free open-source control panel for self-hosted game servers

Replaces AMP, Pterodactyl

Open-source voxel FPS compatible with Ace of Spades servers

Replaces Ace of Spades

Open-source interpreter for RPG Maker 2000 and 2003 games

Replaces RPG Maker RTP runtime

Browser idle and incremental game host

Replaces Cookie Clicker, Universal Paperclips

Performance-focused Paper fork for Minecraft servers

Replaces Vanilla Minecraft server

Lightweight multiplayer first-person shooter

Replaces Counter-Strike

Minecraft protocol and bot library written in Go

Replaces commercial game bot frameworks

Hostname-based reverse proxy router for Minecraft servers

Replaces Manual port mapping

Minecraft proxy with domain-based routing and idle hibernation

Replaces Manual server management

Cooperative platformer based on Teeworlds

Replaces Teeworlds

Community patchpack extending OpenTTD multiplayer servers

Replaces Transport Tycoon

BungeeCord fork for proxying Minecraft Java multiplayer networks

Replaces BungeeCord

Maintained engine and server for Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory

Replaces Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory original

Fast-paced free arena first-person shooter

Replaces Quake, Unreal Tournament

Sandbox voxel game with multiplayer servers

Replaces Minecraft

Turn-based artillery strategy game with servers

Replaces Worms

Bash control script for managing multiple Minecraft servers

Replaces Minecraft server panels

Open-source multiplayer action and tactics game

Replaces Clonk

Fast-paced real-time strategy game for the Linux terminal

Replaces commercial RTS games

Open-source voxel sandbox game for Luanti

Replaces Minecraft

3D Tron-style lightcycle multiplayer game

Replaces Tron

Free Quake III-style arena shooter with servers

Replaces Quake III Arena

Self-hostable server software for YGOPro card game clients

Replaces Commercial card game servers

Free Lemmings-inspired puzzle game with network multiplayer

Replaces Lemmings

Survival voxel game playable on self-hosted Minetest servers

Replaces Minecraft

Dedicated server engine for the Nexuiz arena shooter

Replaces Quake III Arena

Open-source transport and economy simulation game

Replaces Transport Tycoon

Survival sandbox game for self-hosted Luanti/Minetest servers

Replaces Minecraft

Tunnel server for hosting Command and Conquer multiplayer games

Replaces proprietary game matchmaking servers