Valheim is a unique survival video game that gained renewed popularity with the Mistlands update. However, hosting and playing Valheim simultaneously can be taxing on midrange setups, especially during intense boss fights or with multiple in-game entities. This strain can cause crashing at critical moments.
To avoid these issues, hosting a dedicated Valheim server on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is your best bet. It delivers seamless gameplay and 24/7 access – ensuring a superior gaming experience in resource-heavy situations.
However, picking the right VPS provider is crucial. That’s why I carefully tested numerous providers and shortlisted the three best Valheim server hosting solutions based on pricing, resources, performance, security, and more.
3 best server hosting for Valheim
- Hostinger – best Valheim server hosting overall
- 1&1 IONOS – cheap Valheim hosting service to run mods
- Namecheap – secure Valheim server hosting at affordable prices
In Valheim, a community server is an externally hosted dedicated server, usually open to a specific group of players or the public. It has a few advantages, including:
- 24/7 accessibility. Community servers are always online and accessible to players.
- Improved performance. With dedicated resources, these servers can better handle the demands of hosting multiple players – reducing lag and crashes.
- Better control. You have complete control over the server settings, such as mods and updates.
- Enhanced security. High-quality dedicated servers often include features like automated backups and DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) protection for better overall security.
In contrast, a start server is typically hosted on your personal computer. While it’s easier to set up, it operates only when your computer is active. The server goes offline if you leave the game or turn off your computer. Additionally, its performance depends on your hardware and internet connection.
Best Valheim hosting services – detailed list
As I searched for the best Valheim server hosting solution, our research team looked at 48 top providers’ pricing, resources, security, performance, ease of use, and more. Here are the three providers that excelled regarding Valheim hosting performance.
1. Hostinger – best Valheim server hosting in 2024
| Valheim hosting price: | From $14.99/month |
| Root access: | Full root access |
| Uptime guarantee: | 100% |
| Current deal: | Get up to 78% OFF Hostinger + 3 months free! |
Hostinger offers the best Valheim server hosting. The only provider we tested with a game hosting panel, Hostinger delivers generous resources, robust security, and fantastic performance for just $14.99/month.
Pricing. Hostinger’s game hosting plans, though marketed as Minecraft Server Hosting, work for any video game – including Valheim. Prices start from $5.99/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Given Valheim’s high CPU requirements, the suitable plans are Game Panel 4 ($14.99/month, renews at $39.99/month) and Game Panel 8 ($21.99/month, renews at $99.99/month).
Resources. Game Panel 4 offers four virtual CPU cores (AMD Epyc), 16GB RAM, and 200GB NVMe SSD storage. Game Panel 8 has eight virtual CPU cores (AMD Epyc), 32GB RAM, and 400GB NVMe SSD storage for double the power.
Security. Hostinger’s features include automated backup for easy recovery via Game Panel and DDoS protection to fend off attacks that could interrupt your adventuring.
Performance: Hostinger’s 100% uptime guarantee means you can count on smooth, uninterrupted Viking adventures. Meanwhile, its servers in six countries – France, Lithuania, India, the USA, and Brazil – allow picking the closest one to minimize latency.
Setup options. The setup process is a breeze with Hostinger’s intuitive Game Panel, which also allows easy mod installation. For extra help, it has a detailed guide on how to set up your Valheim server.
Pros
Cons
2. 1&1 IONOS – fast and cheap Valheim hosting
| Valheim hosting price: | From $12.50/month |
| Root access: | Full root access |
| Uptime guarantee: | 99.9% |
| Current deal: | Get up to 91% OFF IONOS! |
IONOS is one of the cheapest providers, and its VPS plans start at just $2/month. For Valheim server hosting, plans are available for just $12.50/month.
Pricing. Since IONOS doesn’t offer specific game server hosting plans, its VPS plans are the next best option. For Valheim server hosting, choose between VPS Linux L ($12.50/month, renews at $15/month) and VPS Linux XL ($21.50/month, renews at $28/month) plans. Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Resources. VPS Linux L includes four virtual CPU cores, 8GB RAM, and 240GB NVMe SSD. Meanwhile, VPS Linux XL doubles with eight virtual CPU cores and 16GB RAM, and 320GB NVMe SSD. Both plans offer good hardware for their prices.
Security. The IONOS feature package includes DDoS protection to keep your Valheim server stable and accessible.
Performance. Like Hostinger, IONOS has a 99.9% uptime guarantee. IONOS has servers in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Spain, so players in these regions will see minimal latency whether they’re exploring biomes or farming.
Setup options. With no specialized gaming management panel, your setup and modding processes require manual installation using command line tools. But IONOS does have a helpful guide for setting up a Valheim server.
Pros
Cons
3. Namecheap – budget-friendly Valheim server hosting with robust security protection
| Valheim hosting price: | From $12.88/month |
| Root access: | Full root access |
| Uptime guarantee: | 100% |
| Current deal: | Get Namecheap, now 70% OFF |
Secure and reliable with a 100% uptime guarantee, Namecheap is an excellent option for affordable Valheim server hosting.
Pricing. Namecheap doesn’t have a specific game server hosting package, so you’ll need to pick one of its VPS plans. Options for Valheim are between Quasar ($12.88/month, same price upon renewal) and Magnetar ($24.88/month, same upon renewal), both with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Resources. Quasar offers four CPU cores, 6GB RAM, and 120GB SSD (RAID 10, mirrored and striped to improve speed and redundancy). Meanwhile, Magnetar provides eight CPU Cores, 12GB RAM, and 240GB SSD (RAID 10). Compared to Hostinger, Namecheap is more conservative with its resources and has a bandwidth cap, potentially limiting bigger servers with more players.
Security. Namecheap’s noteworthy security features include RAID 10 to prevent data loss and disruptions, server monitoring to detect breaches, and ConfigServer eXploit Scanner (CXS) for malware protection.
Performance. Since Namecheap’s servers are all in Phoenix, Arizona, US players will benefit from reduced latency. Namecheap also has a 100% uptime guarantee for 24/7 server availability.
Setup options. Installing Valheim and mods on Namecheap requires command-line skills, as the provider doesn’t have a dedicated gaming panel. This could be challenging for those unfamiliar with the text-based interface. However, 24/7 live support is available.
Pros
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How we tested and ranked Valheim Hosting
To determine the best Valheim server hosting, we conducted web hosting tests on 48 providers. From there, we narrowed the options to the top three VPS options and ran meticulous in-house testing to rank them. Here’s a breakdown of our process:
- We searched for VPS plans designed for gaming or well-suited to handle gaming demands. We assessed their pricing, resources (bandwidth, processing power, RAM, and storage type), security features, and server locations.
- We set up servers to evaluate their control panels, ability to install mods, and overall ease of use. We also contacted customer support representatives to judge their responsiveness and expertise.
- Over the next two months, we monitored and tested each host’s performance, focusing on latency and its ability to manage increased traffic. We reviewed their uptime guarantees to ensure reliable service, too.
- From our tests and findings, we compared the providers. Finally, we ranked them according to affordability, resource allocation, security, performance, and ease of use.
Conclusion
It’s worth upgrading to a dedicated gaming server to avoid performance, control, and security issues while playing Valheim. A VPS can offer an uninterrupted and enhanced gaming experience.
Our extensive research and testing shows that Hostinger is the best Valheim server hosting solution. It’s wallet-friendly and impresses with its robust resources, strong security, and remarkable performance with minimal latency. Plus, the user-friendly Game Panel simplifies server setup and management, making hosting Valheim as enjoyable as playing the game.
FAQ
How many people can play on 1 Valheim server?
You can play Valheim solo if you wish. However, a Valheim server can support up to 10 players simultaneously.
Can you host a Valheim server for free?
Yes, you can host a Valheim server for free using the “Start Server” toggle in the game or by setting up a server on your computer. However, free Valheim hosting may compromise load times, uptime, security, control, and customizations.
How much does Valheim hosting cost?
Valheim hosting varies by provider, ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per month. One of the cheapest options is 1&1 IONOS, which offers Valheim hosting services starting at just $12.50/month.
How much RAM do I need for Valheim server hosting?
The minimum RAM requirement for hosting a Valheim server is 2GB. However, for the best gaming experience, it’s recommended to have 4GB of RAM or more. Modded servers may require additional RAM.
Does a Valheim dedicated server allow crossplay?
Yes, Valheim dedicated servers allow crossplay. You must add the parameter “-crossplay” to your dedicated server settings to enable crossplay. This will generate a code that players on different platforms can use to access the server.
Can you host a Valheim server with mods?
Yes, you can host a Valheim server with mods. Several providers, like Hostinger, let you easily install mods through their web management panels. Meanwhile, others, like IONOS and Namecheap, also support mods but require a manual installation.
What is the difference between Valheim local and dedicated?
Valheim local refers to hosting the server on your playing computer. It’s easy to set up but may face performance issues due to hardware limitations. The server also shuts down when you quit the game or turn off your computer. In contrast, dedicated servers run independently 24/7 without taxing your computer’s resources.
How much bandwidth does a Valheim dedicated server need?
The bandwidth required for a Valheim dedicated server largely depends on the number of players on the server. Typically, each player uses about 800 kilobits (kbps).
Can my friend play on my Valheim server without me?
Yes, your friend can play on your Valheim server without you if it’s hosted on a dedicated server. However, if the server is hosted on your computer, it’s only accessible while your computer is on and running Valheim.
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