How to Play BeamMP in 2026: Download, Install & Join Servers

BeamMP turns BeamNG.drive — the most realistic vehicle physics simulator on PC — into a multiplayer experience. Drive with friends, race strangers, or just mess around in open-world maps together. It's free, it's easy to set up, and thousands of players are online right now.

This guide walks you through everything: what BeamMP is, how to install it, and how to get into your first server in under 10 minutes.

What Is BeamMP?

BeamMP is a free multiplayer mod for BeamNG.drive. If you've played BeamNG, you know it has the best crash physics and vehicle simulation of any game — but it's single-player only. BeamMP fixes that.

With BeamMP installed, you can:

• Drive with friends on any BeamNG map
• Join public servers with dozens of other players
• Race, drift, do police chases, or just cruise — whatever the server allows
• Use mods — most BeamNG mods work in multiplayer
• Host your own server with custom rules and maps

The mod syncs vehicle physics across all connected players in real time. You see other cars move, crash, and deform just like they would in single-player. It's genuinely impressive.

BeamMP is developed independently from BeamNG but is officially recognized by the community. It has hundreds of thousands of active users and a thriving server ecosystem.

What You Need Before Starting

Before you install BeamMP, make sure you have:

1. BeamNG.drive — available on Steam for around £20/$25. This is a paid game and there's no way around it. BeamMP is a mod for BeamNG.drive, so you need the base game.
2. A PC that can run BeamNG.drive — minimum 16GB RAM recommended for multiplayer (more players = more RAM). A decent CPU matters more than GPU here.
3. A stable internet connection — nothing extreme, but a wired connection helps reduce lag.
4. Windows — BeamNG.drive and BeamMP only run on Windows. No Mac, no Linux (natively).

Already have BeamNG.drive installed? You're 5 minutes away from multiplayer.

How to Install BeamMP

The installation is straightforward:

Step 1: Download the BeamMP Launcher

Go to beammp.com and click Download. You'll get a small installer file.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts. It installs the BeamMP launcher — a separate program that launches BeamNG.drive with multiplayer enabled.

Windows Defender or your antivirus might flag it (common with modding tools). It's safe — BeamMP is open-source and well-established.

Step 3: Launch BeamMP

Open the BeamMP Launcher (not BeamNG.drive directly). It will:

1. Detect your BeamNG.drive installation automatically
2. Launch the game with multiplayer support enabled
3. Add a Multiplayer option to the main menu

That's it. No config files to edit, no manual file copying. The launcher handles everything.

How to Join a Server

Once BeamNG.drive opens through the BeamMP launcher:

1. Click Multiplayer from the main menu
2. You'll see the server browser — a list of all public servers
3. Browse or search for a server that interests you
4. Click a server and hit Connect

You'll load into the map and can start driving immediately. Other players appear as vehicles around you.

Types of Servers

Not all servers are the same. Here's what you'll find:

• Freeroam — open-world driving with no rules. The most common type. Just drive around, crash into things, explore.
• Racing — organized races on tracks or street circuits. Some have lap timing and leaderboards.
• Drift — dedicated drift maps and courses. Popular with the tuning community.
• Roleplay (RP) — players take on roles like police, civilians, truckers. These usually have rules and application processes.
• Demolition Derby — exactly what it sounds like. Pure chaos.
• Off-road / Trail — crawler and off-road maps with challenging terrain.

Most servers show their type and rules in the description. Start with a freeroam server to get comfortable, then branch out.

Quick Tips for the Server Browser

• Player count shows how busy a server is — busier isn't always better if you want less lag
• Ping matters — look for servers in your region for the best experience
• Favourite servers you enjoy so you can find them again easily

How to Play with Friends

There are two ways to play BeamMP with friends:

Option 1: Join the Same Public Server

The simplest approach. Pick a server, tell your friends the name, and everyone connects. You'll see each other in-game. No setup required.

For a more private experience, look for servers with fewer players or password-protected community servers you can join together.

Option 2: Host Your Own Server

If you want full control — your maps, your mods, your rules — you can run your own BeamMP server. This is where it gets interesting.

Hosting Your Own BeamMP Server

Running your own server means you decide everything: which map to play on, which mods are allowed, how many players can join, and who gets access.

You have two options:

Self-Hosting (Free, but Technical)

You can download the BeamMP server software from beammp.com and run it on your own PC.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Full control over everything

Cons:

• Your PC needs to stay on 24/7 if you want the server always available
• You need to set up port forwarding on your router (port 30814 by default)
• Performance depends on your hardware and internet upload speed
• If your PC crashes or restarts, the server goes down
• Troubleshooting is on you

Self-hosting works fine for occasional sessions with friends. For anything more permanent, it gets old fast.

Using a Hosting Provider (Easy, Always Online)

A hosting provider runs the server for you on dedicated hardware. You get a control panel to manage settings, mods, and maps — no command line needed.

Pros:

• Server runs 24/7 without touching your PC
• Better performance and lower ping for players
• No port forwarding or networking headaches
• Easy mod and map management
• Automatic backups and updates

Cons:

• Usually costs money

Here's the thing though — it doesn't have to cost anything.

Connect Hosting is an official BeamMP partner and the only provider that offers a permanent free tier. Not a trial. Not "free for 7 days." A free BeamMP server that runs 24/7, forever.

Get a Free BeamMP Server →

If you outgrow the free tier — more player slots, more RAM, priority support — paid plans start low and scale with what you need.

View Server Pricing →

Tips for New BeamMP Players

Starting out? Here's what I wish someone told me:

1. Try different servers — every server has a different vibe. Don't judge BeamMP by one bad experience. Browse around.

2. Download popular mods — BeamNG's mod repository is huge. Cars, maps, parts — most work in multiplayer. Check the BeamNG mod repository or the Steam Workshop.

3. Join the community — the BeamMP Discord is active and helpful. Great place to find people to play with, get server recommendations, and troubleshoot issues.

4. Be respectful — especially on RP servers. Read the rules before joining. Don't ram people on racing servers. Common sense stuff.

5. Adjust your graphics settings — multiplayer is more demanding than single-player. If you're getting low FPS, turn down reflections and traffic.

6. Try different vehicles — don't just drive the fastest car. BeamNG's strength is variety. Try a bus. Try a semi-truck. Try an off-road crawler on a mountain trail.

7. Use the in-game chat — press T to chat. Coordinate with other players, ask about the server, or just say hello.

FAQ

Is BeamMP free?

Yes. BeamMP itself is completely free to download and use. However, you need to own BeamNG.drive on Steam, which costs around £20/$25.

Can I play BeamMP on Mac or Linux?

No. BeamNG.drive is Windows-only, so BeamMP is too. You may have luck with compatibility layers like Proton on Linux, but it's not officially supported and your mileage will vary.

How many players can be on a server?

It depends on the server's hardware. Most public servers support 8–20 players. Dedicated hosted servers can handle more. The practical limit is usually around 30+ before physics sync becomes unstable — every player's vehicle is fully simulated, which is CPU-intensive.

Can I use mods in multiplayer?

Yes. Most BeamNG mods work in BeamMP. Some servers require specific mods (they'll download automatically when you join), and some restrict mods to keep things fair. Server-side mods are managed by the server host.

Do I need a BeamMP account?

You'll need a free BeamMP account to play. You can sign up at beammp.com or through the launcher. It takes 30 seconds.

Why is my game lagging in multiplayer?

Multiplayer is more resource-intensive than single-player. Try: lowering graphics settings, connecting to servers with fewer players, choosing servers closer to your location (lower ping), and making sure nothing else is hogging your bandwidth.

Can I host a server for free?

Yes — two ways. You can self-host on your own PC (free but requires your machine running 24/7), or grab a free server from Connect Hosting that runs 24/7 on dedicated hardware with zero setup.

Start Playing

That's everything you need. To recap:

1. Own BeamNG.drive on Steam
2. Download the BeamMP launcher from beammp.com
3. Launch BeamMP, browse servers, and connect
4. Want your own server? Get one free

See you online. Try not to crash into everyone. Or do — that's half the fun.