OpenRCT2 vs Zero-K

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted game servers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
FeatureOpenRCT2Zero-K
CategoryGame ServersGame Servers
LicenseGPL-3.0GPL-2.0
LanguageC++Lua
Setup difficultyMediumHard
Min. RAM512 MB2,048 MB
Deploymentbare-metal, binary, sourcebare-metal, binary, source
GitHub stars★ 16,049★ 820
First released20142010
ReplacesRollerCoaster TycoonSupreme Commander

Why pick each one

Choose OpenRCT2 if…

  • Faithful modern remake
  • Active community
OpenRCT2 details

Choose Zero-K if…

  • Deep strategy
  • Completely free
Zero-K details

Frequently asked questions

Is OpenRCT2 or Zero-K better?

OpenRCT2 is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Zero-K if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are OpenRCT2 and Zero-K free and open-source?

Yes. OpenRCT2 is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Zero-K under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run OpenRCT2 and Zero-K with Docker?

OpenRCT2: check the project docs for container support. Zero-K: check the project docs for container support.

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