How to install a FiveM server on a Linux VPS

What is FiveM?

FiveM is a multiplayer framework for GTA V allowing you to create roleplay servers. It's the most popular platform for GTA V RP, with millions of active players.

Prerequisites

Step 1: SSH connection and update

Connect to your VPS:

ssh root@YOUR_IP

Update the system:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

apt install -y curl wget git xz-utils screen

Step 2: Create a dedicated user

Never run FiveM as root:

useradd -m -s /bin/bash fivem

su - fivem

mkdir -p ~/FiveM/server-data

cd ~/FiveM

Step 3: Download FiveM artifacts

wget https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/LATEST-RECOMMENDED.tar.xz

tar xf LATEST-RECOMMENDED.tar.xz

rm LATEST-RECOMMENDED.tar.xz

Step 4: Download cfx-server-data

cd server-data

git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git .

Step 5: Create server.cfg

nano server.cfg

Basic content:

endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"

endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"

start mapmanager

start chat

start spawnmanager

start sessionmanager

start basic-gamemode

start hardcap

sv_scriptHookAllowed 0

sv_hostname "My FiveM Server - VexCloud"

sv_maxclients 32

sv_licenseKey "YOUR_LICENSE_KEY"

Replace YOUR_LICENSE_KEY with the key from keymaster.fivem.net.

Step 6: Open firewall port

ufw allow 30120/tcp

ufw allow 30120/udp

ufw enable

Step 7: Start the server

cd ~/FiveM

bash run.sh +exec server-data/server.cfg

To run in background (survives SSH disconnection):

screen -S fivem bash run.sh +exec server-data/server.cfg

Detach with Ctrl+A then D. Resume with screen -r fivem.

Join your server

In FiveM on your PC, press F8 and type:

connect YOUR_IP:30120

Recommended RP resources

Recommended VexCloud configuration

Up to 32 players: VPS 4 GB RAM, 4 vCPU, NVMe. Gcore + XDP DDoS protection is essential — FiveM servers are frequent UDP attack targets.