SteamCMD Server vs Enshrouded Dedicated Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted game servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | SteamCMD Server | Enshrouded Dedicated Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 64 · Good | 76 · Good |
| Category | Game Servers | Game Servers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Shell | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 6,144 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 185 | ★ 267 |
| First released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Replaces | commercial game server hosting | commercial game server hosting |
What are SteamCMD Server and Enshrouded Dedicated Server?
SteamCMD Server
SteamCMD Server is a family of Docker images that install and run a wide range of SteamCMD-based dedicated game servers from a single base image. It standardizes hosting for many different multiplayer titles.
- Supports many game titles
- Shared SteamCMD base image
- Automatic installation
- Configurable startup parameters
Enshrouded Dedicated Server
Enshrouded Dedicated Server is a Docker image that runs an Enshrouded game server with configurable settings, automatic updates, and backup support. It lets a group host a persistent shared world without renting commercial hosting.
- Configurable server settings
- Automatic game updates
- Backup support
- Lightweight container
SteamCMD Server vs Enshrouded Dedicated Server: key differences
Both projects are written in Shell. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for SteamCMD Server versus MIT for Enshrouded Dedicated Server. SteamCMD Server is the lighter option, starting around 2,048 MB of RAM against 6,144 MB for Enshrouded Dedicated Server. SteamCMD Server is the more established project (first released 2020), while Enshrouded Dedicated Server arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose SteamCMD Server if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Shell
Choose Enshrouded Dedicated Server if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Shell
Frequently asked questions
Is SteamCMD Server or Enshrouded Dedicated Server better?
Neither is universally better. Enshrouded Dedicated Server has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are SteamCMD Server and Enshrouded Dedicated Server free and open-source?
Yes. SteamCMD Server is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Enshrouded Dedicated Server under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run SteamCMD Server and Enshrouded Dedicated Server with Docker?
SteamCMD Server: yes. Enshrouded Dedicated Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, SteamCMD Server or Enshrouded Dedicated Server?
SteamCMD Server has the smaller minimum footprint at 2,048 MB of RAM, compared to about 6,144 MB for Enshrouded Dedicated Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.