How to Launch Your Own FiveM Server: A Step-by-Step Guide

/ Main / By

Ever dreamed of running your own GTA V multiplayer world — where you set the rules, control the economy, design the jobs, and build a thriving community? With FiveM, that dream is completely within reach.

But how do you actually go from “idea” to a fully working server?

Whether you’re looking to launch a roleplay server, a freeroam experience, or something totally unique, this guide will walk you through the core steps to starting your own FiveM server — the right way.

Let’s break it down.

1. Plan Your Server Vision

Before writing a single line of code, you need a clear plan. Ask yourself:

  • What kind of server will this be? Roleplay, racing, survival, etc.
  • What features do you want? (e.g., custom jobs, inventories, police systems)
  • Will you use a framework like ESX or QBCore?
  • Are you targeting public players or a private community?

This will guide your setup decisions and help keep your project focused.

📝 Pro Tip: Write down your top 3 features and must-have systems. Stay focused early on — scope creep kills servers before they even launch.

2. Get a Server Host

You’ll need a server machine to run your FiveM server. You have two main options:

  • Self-hosting (good for testing, not recommended long-term)
  • Using a VPS or game server provider (reliable and scalable)

Look for hosts that offer:

  • DDoS protection
  • Easy FTP or file access
  • Windows support (for FiveM)
  • Good performance for your player base location

Some popular options include ZAP-Hosting, OVH, and DigitalOcean (with manual setup).

3. Set Up Your FiveM Server Files

To install your server:

  1. Download the latest FiveM server artifacts from the FiveM website.
  2. Create a server directory and extract the files.
  3. Generate a license key from keymaster.fivem.net.
  4. Configure your server.cfg file with the correct info:
    • Server name
    • License key
    • Port
    • Max players
    • Resource start order

Need help? Our upcoming LearnFiveM Server Setup Module will walk you through it all step by step.

4. Choose a Framework (ESX or QBCore)

For most roleplay servers, you’ll want a framework to build on. The two most popular:

  • QBCore – Modern, modular, active development
  • ESX – Classic, widely supported, huge resource library

Both offer:

  • Jobs and society systems
  • Inventory and UI frameworks
  • Database integration (usually MySQL)
  • Event-based scripting architecture

Pick one based on your needs — and community support. Either way, it’s Lua under the hood!

5. Start Learning Lua (Seriously!)

You don’t need to be a professional developer to run a server — but knowing basic Lua scripting gives you a HUGE advantage.

You’ll be able to:

  • Customize or fix scripts
  • Add new features without relying on others
  • Understand what’s causing bugs or crashes
  • Build truly unique content that players haven’t seen before

🧠 LearnFiveM Tip: Enroll in our upcoming FiveM Lua Development Course to go from zero to scripter, with real-world projects and step-by-step guidance.

6. Add & Configure Resources

Once your base server is running, it’s time to:

  • Add cars, maps, and scripts
  • Configure permissions (ACE or admin roles)
  • Set up your database with phpMyAdmin or a tool like HeidiSQL
  • Start and test your resources (e.g., start myscript in server.cfg)

Pro tip: Keep track of which resources are causing issues — not all scripts are plug-and-play. Always test new additions one at a time.

7. Build a Community

A server is nothing without players. You’ll want to:

  • Create a Discord server for communication and rules
  • Post your server to FiveM server listings
  • Promote via TikTok, YouTube, and FiveM forums
  • Consider adding whitelisting for quality control

Don’t forget to invest time in staff, moderation, and feedback. A well-managed community makes all the difference.

8. Optimize and Secure Your Server

With players comes responsibility. You’ll need to:

  • Optimize scripts to reduce lag (monitor CPU usage, remove unused features)
  • Add anti-cheat protection and logs
  • Back up your server regularly
  • Control file permissions and access levels

🛡️ Use tools like txAdmin for easy server monitoring and configuration.

9. Keep Innovating

The best servers are always improving. With development skills and community input, you can:

  • Launch custom jobs or event systems
  • Create economy tweaks or skill progression
  • Build dynamic world events or missions
  • Add new UIs or integrations

The possibilities are endless — especially if you’re comfortable with development.

🧠 Ready to Learn Development the Right Way?

That’s why we created LearnFiveM.com — to give new and aspiring server owners the tools they need to build, script, and launch their dream servers.

With support from the expert developers at London Studios, our upcoming FiveM Lua Development Course will teach you how to:

  • Script your own features
  • Understand frameworks like ESX and QBCore
  • Optimize and customize resources
  • Take control of your server’s future

👉 Join the waitlist today and become the FiveM developer your server needs.

Scroll to Top