Best FiveM Loading Screen Scripts 2026 — Custom Screens That Impress
Your loading screen is the first thing players see when they connect. Before they explore your city, interact with NPCs, or start their roleplay story, they're staring at your…
Disclosure: This article links to products sold on VertexMods. Product order is based on editorial judgment, not paid placement.

Your loading screen is the first thing players see when they connect. Before they explore your city, interact with NPCs, or start their roleplay story, they're staring at your FiveM load screen script for 30 seconds to two minutes. That screen sets the tone for everything that follows.
A generic black screen with a spinning wheel tells players nothing. A polished loading screen with your server branding, music, rules, and a progress indicator tells them they've joined a server that cares about quality. In 2026, players expect more — and the bar keeps rising.
Whether you want a quick drag-and-drop solution or a fully custom HTML build, this guide covers the best FiveM loading screen scripts available right now. We also cover the Loading Screen Builder tool from VertexMods that lets you create screens visually without writing a single line of code.
What Makes a Great Loading Screen

Not all loading screens are equal. The best ones balance aesthetics with function. Here's what separates a good FiveM load screen script from a forgettable one:
Visual Branding — Your server logo, name, and color scheme should be front and center. Players should immediately know which server they're joining.
Music Player — Background music keeps players engaged during loading. The best scripts let you configure playlists, volume controls, and mute buttons so players aren't forced to listen.
Server Information — Display your Discord link, server rules, staff list, or update changelog. Loading time is dead time — use it to communicate with your community.
Progress Indicator — A progress bar or percentage counter reassures players that the game is actually loading. Without it, players often think the game has frozen and disconnect.
Responsive Design — Players connect from all kinds of monitors. Your loading screen should look good on 1080p, 1440p, ultrawide, and even 720p laptop screens.
Fast Load Time — Ironic, but the loading screen itself shouldn't be heavy. Avoid uncompressed 4K videos or 20MB background images. Optimize your assets so the screen appears instantly.
Top 5 Loading Screen Scripts for FiveM
We tested dozens of loading screen resources across the FiveM ecosystem. These five stand out for design quality, features, and ease of use.
1. Starter Loading Screen (Free)
The simplest option that still looks professional. A clean HTML/CSS loading screen with your server name, background image, and a basic progress bar. No JavaScript dependencies, no build tools — just edit the HTML and drop it in.
Features:
- Static background image with overlay
- Server name and tagline
- CSS-animated progress bar
- Fully responsive layout
Pros:
- Zero cost, zero complexity
- Works with any framework
- Loads instantly (under 100KB)
- Easy to customize with basic HTML knowledge
Cons:
- No music player
- No dynamic server info
- Limited visual effects
- Looks basic compared to premium options
Best for: New servers, low-budget projects, or admins who want maximum simplicity.
2. Starter Plus Loading Screen
A step up from the basic starter. Adds a music player, server rules section, and smooth CSS animations. Still lightweight but significantly more polished.
Features:
- Background image or video support
- Built-in music player with volume control
- Server rules display
- Animated progress bar with percentage
- Social media links (Discord, YouTube, etc.)
Pros:
- Good balance of features and simplicity
- Music player keeps players engaged
- Rules display reduces in-game rule violations
- Still lightweight (under 500KB without media)
Cons:
- Limited customization without CSS knowledge
- Music files increase resource size
- No staff list or changelog section
Best for: Servers that want more than a basic screen without the complexity of premium options.
3. Interactive Premium Loading Screen
A feature-rich loading screen with a full music player, staff roster, server statistics, and tabbed navigation. Players can browse different sections while waiting.
Features:
- Tabbed interface (Rules, Staff, Updates, Features)
- Full music player with playlist support
- Live server statistics (player count, uptime)
- Staff list with roles and profile images
- Animated background with particle effects
- Keyboard shortcut to mute audio
Pros:
- Professional appearance that rivals AAA game loading screens
- Tabbed layout organizes information cleanly
- Live stats make the screen feel dynamic
- Particle effects add visual depth
Cons:
- Requires more configuration time
- Larger resource size (1-3MB with assets)
- May need tweaking for ultrawide monitors
- Higher price point
Best for: Established servers that want to impress new players and communicate server info effectively.
4. Cinematic Video Loading Screen
Built around a full-screen background video with overlay elements. Perfect for servers with custom cinematic trailers or atmospheric footage of their map.
Features:
- Full-screen looping video background
- Customizable overlay with server branding
- Progress bar synced to actual load progress
- Audio from video or separate music track
- Fallback image for slow connections
Pros:
- Cinematic feel that sets a strong mood
- Video background is immediately eye-catching
- Fallback handling for slow connections
- Clean, minimal UI over the video
Cons:
- Video files significantly increase resource size (10-50MB+)
- Longer initial load for the screen itself
- Requires video editing skills for custom content
- Can feel laggy on lower-end hardware
Best for: Servers with custom trailers, cinematic content, or a strong visual identity.
5. Fully Animated React Loading Screen
The most advanced option. Built with React and modern web technologies for smooth animations, real-time data, and a component-based architecture that developers love.
Features:
- React-based component architecture
- Smooth Framer Motion animations
- Real-time server data via NUI callbacks
- Theme system with multiple color presets
- Modular sections (drag and drop in config)
- Built-in dark/light mode toggle
Pros:
- Smoothest animations of any loading screen
- Highly modular and extensible
- Real-time data integration
- Modern codebase for developers who want to customize
Cons:
- Requires Node.js build step (npm run build)
- Highest complexity and learning curve
- Largest resource footprint
- Overkill for servers that just need a basic screen
Best for: Developer-run servers that want cutting-edge technology and full customization control.
Loading Screen Builder — Create Without Code
Not a developer? Don't want to edit HTML files? The VertexMods Loading Screen Builder lets you create a custom FiveM load screen script visually in your browser.
How it works:
- Open the Loading Screen Builder
- Choose a template or start from scratch
- Upload your server logo and background image
- Configure colors, fonts, and layout
- Add your server rules, Discord link, and staff info
- Optionally add music tracks
- Export the ready-to-use resource folder
The builder generates clean, optimized HTML/CSS/JS that you can drop directly into your server's resources folder. No build tools, no dependencies, no coding required.
Why use the builder over a pre-made script?
- Your screen is unique — no other server has the same one
- You control every detail without touching code
- Export is optimized and lightweight
- You can re-export anytime with changes
Check out the Loading Screen Builder and have a custom screen ready in under 10 minutes.
How to Install a Loading Screen
Installing a FiveM load screen script follows the same pattern regardless of which option you choose:
Step 1: Download or export your loading screen
Get the resource folder from your chosen source. If you used the Loading Screen Builder, download the exported ZIP file.
Step 2: Extract to your resources folder
Place the loading screen folder in your server's resources directory:
server-data/
resources/
[loadscreen]/ <-- your loading screen resource
__resource.lua (or fxmanifest.lua)
index.html
style.css
script.js
images/
audio/
Step 3: Configure server.cfg
Add these two lines to your server.cfg file:
ensure loadscreen
loadscreen loadscreen
The first line starts the resource. The second line tells FiveM to use it as the loading screen. Replace loadscreen with your resource folder name if it's different.
Step 4: Add media files
If your loading screen supports music or video, place those files in the resource folder and update the paths in index.html or the config file.
Step 5: Test locally
Start your server and connect with a FiveM client. The loading screen should appear immediately. If it doesn't, check your server console for errors and verify the resource name matches in both ensure and loadscreen directives.
Customization Tips
Even if you're using a pre-made loading screen, a few tweaks make it feel custom to your server.
Optimize your background image. Use WebP format at 1920x1080 resolution. Keep file size under 500KB. Tools like Squoosh or TinyPNG compress images without visible quality loss.
Match your server's color scheme. Open style.css and look for color values (hex codes like #ff5500 or RGB values). Replace them with your server's brand colors. Most loading screens use CSS custom properties (--primary-color) making this a single-line change.
Add your Discord invite link. Players who disconnect during loading often want to report the issue. A visible Discord link on the loading screen lets them reach you immediately.
Keep text concise. Players scan, they don't read paragraphs during loading. Use bullet points for rules, short descriptions for features, and clear headings for sections.
Test on multiple resolutions. Open your loading screen's index.html in a browser and use DevTools (F12) to test responsive behavior at 1280x720, 1920x1080, and 2560x1440.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Starter (Free) | Starter Plus | Interactive Premium | Cinematic Video | React Animated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background Image | Yes | Yes | Yes | Video | Yes |
| Music Player | No | Yes | Yes (playlist) | Video audio | Yes (playlist) |
| Progress Bar | Basic | Animated | Animated + % | Synced | Smooth |
| Server Rules | No | Yes | Yes (tabbed) | Overlay | Yes (modular) |
| Staff List | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Responsive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Resource Size | < 100KB | < 500KB | 1-3MB | 10-50MB+ | 2-5MB |
| Setup Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Medium | Medium | Advanced |
| Customization | HTML only | HTML/CSS | Config file | Video editing | React/JS |
| Framework | Any | Any | Any | Any | Any |
Choosing the Right Loading Screen
Your choice comes down to three factors: budget, technical skill, and server identity.
Budget-conscious? Start with a free HTML template and customize it with your branding. A clean, simple screen with your logo is better than a flashy screen that doesn't match your server.
Want features without coding? Use the Loading Screen Builder or grab a mid-range script that offers configuration files instead of raw HTML editing.
Running a serious server? Invest in a premium loading screen or the React option. Your loading screen is a one-time setup that every single player sees — the ROI on a quality screen is massive.
Browse more loading screen options in the FiveM Loading Screens category on our shop, or check out our complete guide to setting up a FiveM server if you're starting from scratch. For a broader overview of available scripts and mods, see our best FiveM mods 2026 roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best FiveM loading screen script?
The best loading screen depends on your needs. For feature-rich screens with music players, try premium options from [VertexMods](/shop). For simple branded screens, free HTML templates work well.
Can I use the VertexMods Loading Screen Builder?
Yes! The [Loading Screen Builder](/loading-screen-builder) lets you create custom loading screens visually without coding. You can customize colors, music, server info, and export ready-to-use files.
How do I install a loading screen on my FiveM server?
Place the loading screen resource in your server's resources folder, add 'ensure loadscreen' to your server.cfg, and set 'loadscreen loadscreen' in your cfg file.
Do loading screens affect server performance?
Loading screens run client-side only and don't affect server performance. However, large images or videos can increase initial load time for players.