How to host a Valheim server for free?
Par Benjamin Dayan · PDG
· Lecture 6 min
Contents
"Free" and "always-online Valheim server" don't go well together. There are indeed ways to play without paying for hosting, but each one comes with trade-offs. Here's the complete rundown on hosting a Valheim server for free, and when a small paid plan quickly becomes more worthwhile.
The real free options in 2026
- Built-in peer-to-peer: in Valheim, the host can open their game to friends directly from within the game. It's free, but the world only exists when the host is connected: you can't play without them.
- Self-hosting on your PC: the dedicated
valheim_server(free to download on Steam) runs on your own machine. Free, but you have to open ports and keep the PC turned on. - Free trials from hosts: a few plans offer a trial period, handy for testing before committing.
The limits that hurt as the group grows
As long as you play as a duo on weekends, free is enough. The problems start with a real group:
- Dependence on the host: in peer-to-peer, no one can progress without the host connected.
- Port forwarding: self-hosting requires opening ports 2456-2458 on your router, sometimes with CGNAT blocking everything.
- No Anti-DDoS protection: exposing your personal IP is risky.
- Backups and availability: everything relies on your machine, which has to stay on permanently.
Free is perfect for discovering the game. As soon as you want a world that's always accessible, even while you sleep, it becomes a bottleneck.
The paid alternative: cheaper than you'd think
A Valheim server hosted by a professional starts at 4.99 €/month, the price of a coffee. In exchange, you get a server that never shuts down, a high-frequency Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor (ideal since Valheim relies mostly on a single core), included Anti-DDoS protection, PC/Xbox crossplay and the FlyPanel dashboard to manage everything in one click. Discover Fly-Serv's Valheim server plan.
Our recommendation
Start in peer-to-peer to discover Valheim with friends. As soon as you're aiming for a world available 24/7, switch to a dedicated Valheim host, delivered instantly from 4.99 €/month, with no commitment. For the technical setup, see our guide How to create a Valheim server.
Read next
- How to create a Valheim server? The complete guideTwo methods to create your Valheim server: self-hosting with the dedicated Steam tool (free but technical) or a turnkey host. Detailed steps.
- How to set up a dedicated Valheim server?Name, password, backups, crossplay, launch arguments: set up your dedicated Valheim server the right way, from the start_server file to the advanced settings.
- How to join a server on Valheim?Direct connection by IP, community list, crossplay with a code, invitation between friends: all the ways to join a Valheim server, step by step.