Valheim server hosting means renting a server that keeps your Viking world online for friends, so nobody's PC has to stay switched on. Some hosts built a dedicated Valheim page with mod versions and guides; at others you reach it through a general game list. Ten hosts follow in no particular order, and none is an official Iron Gate partner.
Valheim's co-op works on a friend's machine until that friend wants to log off, and then the longhouse is out of reach for everyone else. A rented server keeps the world running.
Valheim is Iron Gate's game, and none of the hosts below is an official partner. They're listed alphabetically, in no particular order, and every description comes from each host's own website, read as of Nov 2026. Plans change often, so I've stuck to what each service does.
Valheim hosts at a glance
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Hosting | Minecraft-first game host | Valheim alongside 20+ other games |
| CreeperHost | Independent game host | Modded Valheim, with saves kept after you leave |
| Fragnet | Game server host | Crossplay Valheim without config files |
| GameServers.com | Game, clan and voice host | Valheim with voice servers and many locations |
| Nodecraft | Game host with a Valheim page | Groups who play at set times |
| ScalaCube | Virtual and dedicated game host | A quick Valheim setup with a free domain |
| Shockbyte | Minecraft-first multi-game host | Valheim on a host covering 70+ games |
| Sparked Host | Game and cloud host | Valheim from a host with 30+ games |
| Survival Servers | Survival game host | Valheim guides and a seed map |
| ZAP-Hosting | Game, VPS and web host | Valheim Plus and BepInEx versions |
Ten places to rent a Valheim server
Apex Hosting
Best for: Groups who'd like one-click mod and plugin installs, offsite automatic backups and live chat support, from a host that leads with Minecraft.
CreeperHost
Best for: Modders who want a Valheim server that supports mods, from an independent host that keeps supported game saves for up to a year after a server closes.
Fragnet
Best for: Clans who'd rather manage mods, worlds, backups and schedules from a panel than edit config files, with a crossplay Valheim option.
GameServers.com
Best for: Gaming clans wanting a Valheim server plus TeamSpeak or Ventrilo voice hosting, with data centres listed across six continents.
Nodecraft
Best for: Small groups whose server can sleep when nobody's on and wake from Discord or a share link, with cloud backups on every plan.
ScalaCube
Best for: Players who want a Valheim server ready in minutes, with a free domain, easy settings changes and DDoS protection listed on its Valheim card.
Shockbyte
Best for: Players hosting several games on one account, from a host listing over 70 games with a new control panel, backups and a config manager.
Sparked Host
Best for: Anyone wanting Valheim from a host that lists 30+ games, its own Apollo control panel, DDoS protection and support around the clock.
Survival Servers
Best for: Explorers who'd use a Valheim Seed Map and a crossplay setup guide beside their server, from a host whose menu also lists Valheim on PS5.
ZAP-Hosting
Best for: Vikings bringing an existing world, since it lets you copy savegames to the server, runs automatic backups and offers Valheim Plus and BepInEx versions.
A Valheim page or a general game list?
Reading the host pages, the first split is how a company treats Valheim. Nodecraft has a page titled 'Valheim Server Hosting', and ZAP-Hosting's title carries 'Valheim server hosting', with Valheim Plus and BepInEx versions listed beside the standard server. Survival Servers adds a 'Valheim Seed Map' to its free tools.
At other hosts you reach Valheim through a wider menu. Sparked Host's title is 'Game Servers For 30+ Games', GameServers.com sells 'Dedicated Clan Server Host' hosting, Fragnet describes 'Premium Server Hosting - Built for Gamers', and ScalaCube's title is 'Game Server Hosting - Virtual & Dedicated'. Apex Hosting's title leads with 'Minecraft Server Hosting', so Valheim sits in its game list rather than its headline.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
That's the split a new server owner wouldn't guess. A host with its own Valheim page tends to list the mod versions and guides you'll want, while a host where Valheim is one card among dozens may still run it well and leave more of the setup to you. Neither is wrong, but it changes how much time you'll spend reading config guides on a Sunday night.
Mods, crossplay and world files
- Modded or vanilla. Most Valheim mods run through BepInEx or Valheim Plus. If your group wants mods, check the host offers those versions or lets you upload mod files yourself, and remember that most mods also need installing on each player's game.
- Crossplay. Valheim supports crossplay between Steam and Xbox players, but the server has to be started with crossplay switched on. Look for a crossplay option in the host's panel.
- Bringing your own world. If you've already built a world on your PC, check the host lets you upload the world files so you don't start from scratch.
- Backups. A crash mid-save can damage a Valheim world. Automatic backups, and a simple restore button, are worth more than extra slots.
- Player count and memory. A Valheim world gets heavier as you build. A few friends need far less than a busy community server, so ask how plans scale.
When a sleeping server makes sense
Not every group needs a server running all day. If you play on set evenings, a host that lets the server sleep when it's empty and wake on demand suits the way you play. If players log in at all hours from different time zones, an always-on server is the better match. Either way, check what happens to your world when you stop renting, since some hosts keep saves for a while and others don't.
Looking for more survival games to play with a friend? My list of survival games for two players has a few for when you're away from the PC.
Six things to ask a Valheim host
- Does the host offer modded versions such as BepInEx or Valheim Plus, or can I upload mods myself?
- Is there a crossplay option for friends on Xbox or the Xbox app?
- Can I upload an existing world from my PC?
- How often are backups made, and can I restore one from the panel?
- Which locations can I choose, and is one close to most of my group?
- What happens to my world files if I stop renting?
Do you make a Valheim server hosting service? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice for picking a Valheim host
Decide first whether your group plays vanilla or modded, and whether anyone's on Xbox. Those two answers narrow the field fast. Then choose a location close to most of your players and check that backups and world uploads are included. If you play at set times, a server that sleeps when empty is a sensible match; if your crew logs in whenever they like, go for an always-on plan. Start short, play through a boss or two, and only commit for longer once the server's proved itself.
Want more to play once the longhouse is built? My guide to online multiplayer party games is a good next stop.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is Valheim server hosting?
It's renting a server from a hosting company that runs Valheim's dedicated server for you, so your world stays online even when the friend who started the world has logged off.
Can I run a Valheim dedicated server myself?
Yes. Valheim's dedicated server tool is free on Steam, but your computer has to stay on and your connection carries every player. Renting moves that work to a host.
Do Valheim servers support mods?
Many do. Look for hosts that offer BepInEx or Valheim Plus versions, or that let you upload mod files, and remember that most mods also need installing on each player's game.
Can Xbox players join a rented Valheim server?
They can if the server runs with crossplay switched on. Check that the host offers a crossplay option before you rent, since not every plan shows one.
Can I move my existing Valheim world to a host?
Usually, yes. Most hosts let you upload your world files through a file manager or FTP. Back up the world on your PC first, then follow the host's own guide.
Are any of these hosts official Valheim partners?
No. Valheim is Iron Gate's game, and the hosts here are independent companies that offer Valheim among their game servers.
