FiveM lets PC players join custom Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 5 servers for roleplay, racing and other community-made modes. These servers run separately from GTA Online. On a GTA Roleplay (RP) server, you play a character within the community's rules, rather than follow the usual GTA Online progression.

What is FiveM?

FiveM is a modding framework for GTA 5, created by CitizenFX (Cfx) Collective. It allows players to create and join custom and dedicated multiplayer servers, offering a wide range of gameplay experiences beyond the official GTA Online servers provided by Rockstar Games. It basically serves as a platform for community-driven mods, enabling players to enjoy various game modes, custom content, and role playing experiences.

How to Install FiveM?

Installing FiveM is a straightforward process:

  • Download FiveM: You need a Windows 10 or 11 PC and an installed, updated copy of GTA V. Go to the official FiveM website and choose the client for your game edition: Legacy or Enhanced. The Enhanced client is currently in Early Access. Check which edition your chosen server supports before downloading; there is no native Linux, macOS or console player client.
  • Install FiveM: Run the downloaded executable. As the installation guide explains, running it in an empty folder installs FiveM there; otherwise, it uses your Windows local application-data folder.
  • Launch FiveM: Start FiveM from the Windows Start menu and let it validate your game copy. If automatic validation fails, FiveM may ask for your Rockstar account details to check ownership. For client problems, use the Cfx.re support forum.

How to Join a FiveM Server?

After FiveM has validated your game, click on the 'Play' button in the top-left corner of the screen, and it will show you a list of thousands of FiveM servers to choose from. While FiveM is widely recognized for its GTA RP servers, it also offers a multitude of other servers tailored to diverse gaming preferences and interests.

Players can filter these servers based on language, game mode, country, and tags, to find a server that aligns with their specific requirements.

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Types of FiveM Servers

The following are some of the most popular game modes on FiveM:

  • RP Servers: It's no surprise that roleplaying servers reign supreme among FiveM's server options. These servers simulate real life scenarios where players can immerse themselves in different roles, as the name implies. They can play the roles of criminals, cops, civilians, thieves, doctors, army veterans, and beyond. Players can assume virtually any profession imaginable within these servers.
  • Free Roam Servers: In Free Roam servers, players can experience an open world similar to a single-player environment but within a multiplayer environment. Players can explore, interact, and do different activities in these sandbox modes without any set objectives. These Free Roam servers also allow players many customization options, not just for them but also for their weapons, properties, and vehicles. And that means they also have several mods installed. Think of Free Roam servers as the most relaxed and fun mode with no restrictions, like the ones you would have on RP servers.
  • Racing Servers: As the name suggests, Racing servers are dedicated to racing enthusiasts. These servers have custom tracks, competitive racing events, vehicle mods, and dedicated leaderboards where players can compare their lap times and racing achievements with others.
  • Survival Servers: On survival servers, players must navigate and survive in harsh environments where resources are quite scarce. These servers often feature elements such as hunger, thirst, stamina, and natural environmental dangers such as extreme weather conditions. Players can survive by building a shelter, teaming up with other players, or fighting against them. Some servers also incorporate RP elements into the survival game mode.
  • Custom Game Modes: All the modes we've discussed above also fall under the category of "custom game modes." However, they are so popular that they've become their own category. We discuss custom game modes separately, as they are also often added to the RP or Racing Servers. Custom Game Modes are community created modes that offer different gameplay experiences. For example, different parkour challenges or murder mysteries where players must find the hidden murderer. These are just a few examples among the pool of hundreds of different custom mini-games.

FiveM Versus GTA Online

While both FiveM and GTA Online are multiplayer experiences within the world of GTA 5, there are some key differences between the two:

Customization and Modding: FiveM allows for extensive customization and modding, enabling players to create and join servers with unique game modes, custom content, and roleplay experiences. GTA Online, on the other hand, does not allow modding whatsoever. Players can create jobs through Rockstar's Creator tools, but that is different from installing FiveM server mods.

Server Control: In FiveM, players can create and manage their own dedicated servers, setting their own rules, mods, and gameplay styles. GTA Online servers are controlled by Rockstar Games and have a more standardized experience across all servers.

Roleplay Focus: FiveM is well-known for its thriving roleplay community, with many servers dedicated to immersive, character-driven experiences. While GTA Online does offer some roleplay elements, it is not as heavily focused on this aspect compared to FiveM.

Community-Driven Content: FiveM relies heavily on community-created content, mods, and game modes. This allows for a wide variety of experiences and the ability for players to tailor their gameplay to their preferences. GTA Online is primarily driven by content updates from Rockstar Games.

FiveM is part of Rockstar Games: Rockstar acquired Cfx.re, its developer, in August 2023. It is a supported way to play on custom GTA V servers, not a mod to install in GTA Online.

Can FiveM Lead to a GTA Online Ban?

Playing FiveM does not by itself cause a GTA Online ban. FiveM validates your game ownership but does not modify your GTA V installation, so you can switch between the two. That is not permission to use cheats or mods in GTA Online.

However, this does not mean you can hack or cheat on FiveM servers, as they have their own set of rules and guidelines to follow. As long as you adhere to the rules of whatever server you're playing on, you should be fine.