How much RAM does a Discord bot need?
Typical memory use for small, medium and music bots in Python and Node.js, what makes a bot use more RAM, and how to check your own bot.
Short answer: a small bot usually runs in a few hundred MB, and you only need 1 GB or more for music, heavy caching or a bot that sits in a lot of servers. The best number is the one you measure, so this page gives starting points and shows how to check.
Starting points #
| Bot | Rough RAM | ESN plan to start on |
|---|---|---|
| Small slash-command bot, a few servers | 256–384 MB | Nano (256 MB) or Micro (384 MB) |
| Moderation or utility bot with a small database | 384 MB–1 GB | Starter (512 MB) or Basic (1 GB) |
| Music bot, image generation, dashboards | 1 GB and up | Basic (1 GB), Plus (1.5 GB) or bigger |
These are rough ranges, not promises: your code, library and number of servers change them. Bot hosting on ESN starts at $0.50/month; every plan is on the plans page.
What makes a bot use more RAM #
- Caches. Libraries keep members, messages and channels in memory. More servers and the members intent mean a bigger cache.
- Intents. The members and message content intents bring in a lot more data. Turn on only what your bot uses.
- Music and audio. Audio processing (for example with FFmpeg) adds a lot on top of the bot itself.
- Images. Pillow, canvas and similar libraries load whole images into memory.
- Leaks. Lists or dictionaries that grow forever (a log of every message, for example) slowly fill memory until the bot crashes.
Measure your own bot #
- Start the bot on your server and open its page in the panel.
- Watch the memory graph while the bot is idle, then while people use it.
- Check again a day later. If memory keeps climbing and never drops, look for something that grows forever.
- If it sits close to your plan's limit, move up a size, or trim caches and intents first.
Ways to cut memory use #
- discord.py: limit the message cache (
max_messages) and only request the intents you need. - discord.js: use cache limits (
makeCachewithOptions.cacheWithLimits) and sweepers for old messages. - Store large data in a database file instead of in Python lists or JavaScript objects.
Out of memory errors and crash loops are covered in troubleshooting.
FAQ #
Is 256 MB of RAM enough for a Discord bot? #
Often, yes, for a small bot in a few servers. Music bots, big caches and bots in many servers need more.
Does a Python bot use more RAM than a Node.js bot? #
It depends more on caches, intents and what the bot does than on the language. Measure your own bot on the server graph.
What happens if my bot runs out of memory? #
The process is stopped and the Console shows an out of memory error. Trim caches and intents or move to a bigger plan.
Can I change my plan later? #
Yes. Start small and move up when the memory graph shows you need it. Plans are on the plans page.
Still stuck? Use the live chat on the panel or ask in the ESN Systems Discord. Last updated October 31, 2026.