With so many RSPS available today, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Every server claims to be unique, active and “the best,” but the reality is that quality and longevity vary a lot. Whether you’re completely new to private servers or a returning veteran, this guide will help you find an RSPS that actually fits your playstyle.
Decide what kind of gameplay you want
Before you even look at specific servers, it helps to be clear about what you want from an RSPS. Ask yourself a few questions:
- Do I want slow, progression-based gameplay or fast leveling?
- Am I more into PvM and skilling or PvP and duels?
- Do I enjoy OSRS-style accuracy or heavier custom content?
- Am I looking for nostalgia or something completely new?
If you know this up front, it’s much easier to filter the huge number of servers listed on ranking pages like our RSPS toplist.
Check the server type
Most RSPS fall into a few common categories:
- Economy servers – slower progression, trading and long-term goals.
- PvP or spawn servers – instant gear and constant fighting.
- Custom servers – new gear, bosses and unique systems.
- OSRS-style servers – focused on authentic mechanics and nostalgia.
If a server doesn’t fit your preferred type, you’re unlikely to stay for long, no matter how popular it is. Apart from the type, you should also think of your preferred device to play on. Most servers do not support mobile gameplay, but the games listed on the mobile RSPS list do.
Look at player count and activity
Player count isn’t everything, but it does matter. Servers with:
- a healthy player base in your time zone
- active chat and trading
- group activities like raids or events
tend to feel more alive and engaging. You can quickly get a sense of this by:
- logging in during your usual play hours
- joining the server’s Discord
- checking whether it appears consistently on the active RSPS rankings
Evaluate stability and uptime
Nothing kills motivation like constant crashes or rollbacks. A good RSPS should have:
- strong uptime (rare downtime outside of updates)
- no frequent rollbacks
- clear communication when maintenance happens
Servers that remain online for years instead of months often earn their position on long-running toplists. New projects can also be exciting, but it’s smart to keep an eye on them for a while—many of them are listed on the new RSPS servers page.
Check how often the server is updated
A good RSPS doesn’t have to release huge updates every week, but it should show signs of:
- recent patches or changelogs
- bug fixes and improvements
- community suggestions being implemented
Servers with no updates for months are often in maintenance mode or slowly fading away. Active development is one of the best indicators that a server is worth your time.
Study the economy and progression
For economy-based servers, the state of the market is crucial. Things to look at:
- Are items extremely inflated or reasonably priced?
- Does money feel meaningful, or is everything practically free?
- Is there room to merch, flip or build wealth over time?
Talk to existing players and see how they describe the economy. If everyone says “It’s already dead” or “Everything is maxed,” it might not be ideal for long-term progression.
Check community and staff interaction
An RSPS can have great content but still feel bad to play if the community is toxic or staff are inactive. Good signs include:
- helpful responses in public chat
- active staff presence in-game or on Discord
- clear, fair rules and consistent enforcement
- events hosted by staff or community managers
Servers that care about their community usually communicate regularly via announcements and feedback channels.
Don’t judge based on shops or donator zones alone
Many players quickly teleport to shops or donator zones and decide within 30 seconds whether they like a server. While this can show some aspects of the economy, it doesn’t tell the full story. Instead, spend at least a short session:
- trying starter PvM content
- exploring early-game zones
- testing skilling, teleports and QoL features
This gives you a much better idea of how the server actually plays.
Try multiple servers before committing
You don’t have to choose the perfect RSPS on your first attempt. It’s completely normal to test several servers before settling down. A good approach is:
- pick 2–4 servers from the live RSPS list
- play each one for a few hours
- compare progression, community and how “fun” it feels
Once you find a server that clicks with your playstyle, it becomes much easier to commit and build a long-term account.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right RSPS is mostly about matching your preferences with the right type of server and community. Look at player activity, stability, updates, economy and staff behaviour rather than just flashy features or starter gear. If you’re ready to start exploring, begin with the established projects on our RSPS toplist and keep an eye on fresh releases through the new RSPS servers page.