Valheim hosting service provides dedicated servers that are configured to host private multiplayer gaming sessions of Valheim. Valheim is a popular exploration and survival game with procedurally generated environments inspired by Viking mythology and culture. Hosting a dedicated server for Valheim enables players to collaborate and explore the game’s massive world.
Specialized and private server hosting is required for Valheim, as generic hosting servers don’t have specific versions of Valheim’s game files, which players require for multiplayer gameplay.
The server hosts also need to set up their servers with enough RAM and game-specific support files for Valheim to run without common issues such as lag, disconnections, and game-breaking glitches. The best Valheim server hosting providers provide all these benefits for Valheim multiplayer gameplay at low costs for their customers while giving users access to several other features.
The Geekflare server hosting experts have compiled a list of the best Valheim server hosting providers based on factors such as price, mod support, server slot limit, server location, and DDoS protection.
- 1. GTXGaming – Best for Experienced Users
- 2. ScalaCube – Best for Simple Servers
- 3. SparkedHost – Best for Budget Servers
- 4. G-PORTAL – Best for Easy Setup
- 5. Dathost – Best for Global Locations
- 6. Gravel Host – Best for Simplified Valheim Gaming
- 7. Indifferent Broccoli – Best for User-Friendliness
- 8. XGamingServer – Best for Large Communities
- 9. Survival Servers – Best for High-Performance Servers
- 10. LOW.MS – Best for Low Latency
- 11. Host Havoc – Best for Customer Support
- 12. BisectHosting – Best for Heavily Modded Servers
- 13. Apex Hosting – Best for Unlimited Slots
- Show less
You can trust Geekflare
At Geekflare, trust and transparency are paramount. Our team of experts, with over 185 years of combined experience in business and technology, tests and reviews software, ensuring our ratings and awards are unbiased and reliable. Learn how we test.
1. GTXGaming
Best for Experienced Users
With great features like an automatic mod updater, offsite server backups, plenty of mod support, and even servers for Xbox consoles, GTXGaming is the best Valheim dedicated server hosting provider for experienced users. Thanks to having game servers all over the world, you’re unlikely to get latency-related issues, like lag.
GTXGaming’s servers are backed up by powerful hardware such as 2288G and 13900K Intel CPUs, plus 5800X and 79503DX Ryzen CPUs. This is also one of the few server hosting providers viable for South American gamers, as GTXGaming has a data center in São Paulo, Brazil.
An overwhelming number of users find GTXGaming to be an excellent server hosting provider. Most people are happy thanks to amazing customer service, as the customer service representatives help users solve problems with easy solutions. There are also very few complaints about the quality of the servers or concerns about their speed and reliability.
GTXGaming Pros
Powerful hardware means very few technical concerns
Great customer support makes solving problems quick and easy
Full Xbox support is convenient if you’re a console gamer
GTXGaming Cons
Rare complaints from users about pricing and cancellation policies
On occasion, customers have bugs with the instant setup of servers
Few users consider GTXGaming’s server pricing to be expensive
Price of GTXGaming Valheim Servers
There are no set payment plans. Instead, as you’re signing up for a server, you can configure your plan as you see fit.
2. ScalaCube
Best for Simple Servers
Known most for its excellent Minecraft servers, ScalaCube also has servers for other games, like Valheim. With around-the-clock uptime, a free domain, and mod support, ScalaCube is a solid choice for those who need cheap yet reliable servers. There’s also full FTP access and enough freedom to modify your servers without many issues.
ScalaCube’s gaming servers are hard to beat, according to many users. The most notable trait users will enjoy is that there’s almost no lag whatsoever. It’s also easy to set up and use. Most importantly, ScalaCube’s servers have arguably the most affordable price on the market, letting even those with the tightest budget restrictions play their favorite game with friends.
ScalaCube Pros
Server uptime is excellent, with almost no server issues
Mod support lets you customize your gameplay
Servers are fairly cheap
Setup is quick and simple
It’s easy to manage your server
ScalaCube Cons
The customer support can potentially be poor
Some complain that the cheaper servers don’t run well
Refunds can take a long time to be processed
Price of ScalaCube Valheim Servers
ScalaCube has only 1 plan for their Valheim servers at $14 monthly, and it comes with a 20% discount for the first month.
3. SparkedHost
Best for Budget Servers
If you have a small group of friends and don’t need more than a few player slots, consider getting a Valheim server from SparkedHost. While their prices aren’t proportionally better than most other server hosting providers, SparkedHost’s low-player-population servers will save you money without needing to compromise on speed and reliability. You can also enhance your server’s potential by using multiple add-ons.
SparkedHost also comes with great customer support. Furthermore, the servers are fairly priced in comparison to competitor platforms. Due to SparkedHost’s clever optimization, users will find the servers to be reliable and fast.
SparkedHost Pros
Fast and reliable servers for smooth gameplay
Great customer support
Ideal for small groups of players, as the plans have low-population server options
Prices are low without compromising the quality of the servers
The setup is straightforward
SparkedHost Cons
On occasion, backups will fail, leading to a loss of save data
Sometimes, server setup takes longer than expected
Refunds are always with store credit—no money gets returned
Price of SparkedHost Valheim Servers
SparkedHost’s Valheim servers start at $4.80 monthly.
4. G-PORTAL
Best for Easy Setup
With one of the easiest servers to set up for Valheim, G-PORTAL is the perfect pick for those with little to no technical knowledge regarding community servers. However, this convenience comes at an increased cost compared to other server hosting options. Despite the initial high prices, you can customize your plan to fine-tune your server from G-PORTAL to suit your needs.
G-PORTAL also comes with decent customer support. The response time from customer support representatives is often fast and helpful. There are very few problems with lag and crashes as well.
G-PORTAL Pros
Top-notch customer support
Servers are easy to set up
Plans are customizable
Very few crashes or lag problems
Server experience is decent thanks to consistent uptime
G-PORTAL Cons
Rare issues with IP address changing unexpectedly
Some users have issues logging into their server
Backups don’t last beyond 30 days, resulting in a loss of save data unless you backup your in-game world every month
No automatic backups—it must be backed up manually
Price of G-PORTAL Valheim Servers
G-PORTAL allows you to customize your servers, and the server requirements decide the payment plans.
5. Dathost
Best for Global Locations
Boasting multiple Tbps (Terabits per second) networks, Dathost has excellent technology backing up its powerful servers—which indicates the lowest ping possible. Furthermore, Dathost has 26 locations across 21 countries making for a wide range of servers and locations covered! Users also get the benefits of automatic updates and daily backups, which makes playing Valheim convenient and accessible for players the world over.
Dathost has reliable servers. While there are a few concerns about lag and disconnection problems, but these are not common. In summary, users will be happy with Dathost’s server speed, reliability, and customer service—although the pricing is considered more expensive than that of the competitors.
Dathost Pros
The wide global spread of servers means international friends can play together easily
Automatic updates are a novel and useful feature not seen on many server-hosting websites
The dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly
Servers are robust and can handle huge amounts of players
Top-tier customer support
Dathost Cons
The price could be better
Occasional disconnection issues
Lag spikes occur but are uncommon
Price of Dathost Valheim Servers
Dathost’s Valheim server hosting plan is priced at $10.55 monthly (fluctuates regularly).
6. Gravel Host
Best for Simplified Valheim Gaming
GravelHost is known for providing a simplified Valheim hosting experience. It offers the cheapest and most affordable one-click server hosting and a user-friendly web interface where you can customize your game according to your needs.
With NA/EU/AU/AS server locations, you can choose from multiple servers based on your location and latency. The platform also supports Steam and Xbox crossplay, enabling you to invite players from different platforms to join your Valheim gaming sessions.
As for performance, it provides ample RAM and NVME storage for a lag-free experience and fast switching between worlds. Modding support for maps and plugins is provided through the Easy Mod install feature. Moreover, with full FTP access, you can easily modify server files. It also offers scheduled tasks for advanced players, such as maintenance or server upgrades.
You can contact customer support either by raising a ticket or through their Discord channel, which provides 24/7 access to their agents.
Gravel Host Pros
Cheapest pricing on the market
Offers global server locations for lower latency (NA/EU/AU/AS)
Performance-optimized with NVME storage
Supports one-click mod installation
Gravel Host Cons
Has minor server lag issues under heavy load
Few customers face refund delays
Gravel Host Pricing
Gravel Host offers 5 pricing plans, starting from $7/month, which gives access to 8 GB RAM and 25 GB NVMe. Its most expensive server is priced at $19/month, offering 14 GB RAM and 100 GB NVMe, ideal for hosting multiple Valheim servers.
They offer a 72-hour money-back guarantee.
7. Indifferent Broccoli
Best for User-Friendliness
Indifferent Broccoli attempts to create a user-friendly experience for those looking to set up a Valheim server. It does so by providing a generous length of time (7 days) for users to ask for a refund—a fair money-back guarantee. Users also get full file access and an intuitive control panel, which makes using Indifferent Broccoli’s servers relatively simple.
Most customers are impressed by how dedicated the Indifferent Broccoli customer support staff members are to helping them. Not only do the support staff address issues quickly and compassionately, but they are also acting on Indifferent Broccoli’s transparent and fair terms of service policies.
Indifferent Broccoli Pros
The refund policy is better than that of most competitors
Transparent terms of service instead of convoluted documentation
Customer service representatives are helpful
Very high RAM allocation for the price
Fast and easy server setup
Indifferent Broccoli Cons
Only 1 payment plan
Not many technical stats are available prior to server purchase
Price of Indifferent Broccoli Valheim Servers
A Valheim server with Indifferent Broccoli costs $14 monthly, and a 2-day free trial is available.
8. XGamingServer
Best for Large Communities
With AMD Ryzen 5600X CPUs supporting its servers, XGamingServer guarantees you excellent performance. XGamingServer also provides you with an unlimited number of slots, so—as its website mentions—you’re paying for performance, not server slots. Its custom control panel is intuitive and visually pleasing, so you can manage your files easily.
Despite the power behind its servers, some of XGamingServer’s server operations are questionable—such as the use of automated server setup instead of real humans setting up your servers. There have also been reports of delayed server setups. Nonetheless, such issues are rectified through decent customer service.
XGamingServer Pros
Powerful CPUs make the server performance reliable
Global data centers on most continents make international multiplayer viable
Extensive documentation on server setup helps new users
The custom control panel is well-designed
Unlimited player slots enable you to play with many people
XGamingServer Cons
The automated server setup is bug-ridden
Customer service is not the best
Some users complain about lag
The refund policy is worded in a misleading way
Price of XGamingServer Valheim Servers
Valheim servers with XGamingServer start at $15 monthly.
9. Survival Servers
Best for High-Performance Servers
By creating a user-friendly custom game server management panel, Survival Servers aims to give you the best server hosting experience possible. This extends to PC gamers as well as those on Xbox consoles, as there’s support for both platforms. Furthermore, the access to various Valheim DLCs (Hearth and Home and Mistlands) gives you more gameplay options to explore with your friends.
The servers are reliable, fast, and rarely have technical issues. The Survival Servers‘ staff is also quick to assist those who submit a service ticket for server issues. The only major downside is the relatively expensive server plans.
Survival Servers Pros
The servers are fast and reliable
Xbox compatibility is a welcome addition for those who want to play on console
The custom game panel is intuitive
Access to Valheim DLC enhances gameplay
Solid customer service
Survival Servers Cons
All payment plans are quite expensive
Only North America and Europe have consistent data center distribution
Unexpected server shutdowns and data loss are reported—but rare
Price of Survival Servers Valheim Servers
The base membership with 10 player slots on Survival Servers is available at $17.50 monthly.
10. LOW.MS
Best for Low Latency
If you’re not happy with your other hosting services, you can migrate to LOW.MS for free. While this is enticing by itself, LOW.MS has other server settings worth considering, such as offering a decent amount of RAM (10GB) for beginners. Additionally, the LOW.MS servers are supported by robust CPUs: Intel i9s, Ryzens, and Xeon E-series.
Migrating over to LOW.MS may seem complex and intimidating; however, LOW.MS has a solid track record of helping new customers move their server files and other important data. In fact, LOW.MS’ customer service is excellent overall. Additionally, the server consoles are easy to use.
LOW.MS Pros
Servers are reliable thanks to robust CPUs
Free migration is a considerate way to encourage new customers to sign up
Excellent service for both new and advanced customers
The control panel is intuitive
The prices are affordable for most people
LOW.MS Cons
Price plans are slot-based and don’t scale up sensibly (for example, plan 1 is 10 slots, but plan 2 is 24 slots)
Not many bonus features besides the free migration
The instant setup can take longer than expected
Price of LOW.MS Valheim Servers
You can purchase a 10 player slot plan on LOW.MS for $12.68 monthly.
11. Host Havoc
Best for Customer Support
Host Havoc offers unlimited storage to all its users. Additionally, the one-click mod installation for Host Havoc’s Valheim servers makes this hosting provider a decent choice for users who want a simple option. Easy data restoration also lets you recover data that’s been lost. This is particularly true for those in North America and Europe. Host Havoc also has high-performance servers for a reliable gameplay experience.
Compared to some other server hosting providers, Host Havoc has a great customer support reputation. Even low-priority service tickets can be resolved in as little as 10 minutes. There’s also less likelihood of encountering issues online while using Host Havoc’s servers.
Host Havoc Pros
Customer support representatives are quick to help customers
The servers are reliable due to high-performance CPUs
One-click installation for mods is convenient
Unlimited storage space is great for long-term gameplay
Restoring data is easy
Host Havoc Cons
The lack of data centers outside North America and Europe means other parts of the world will likely have latency issues
Only 1 plan is available
There aren’t many unique bonuses
Price of Host Havoc Valheim Servers
Host Havoc offers a single plan for its Valheim servers, available at $15 monthly.
12. BisectHosting
Best for Heavily Modded Servers
For a heavily modded server, try Valheim with BisectHosting! In addition to getting a new and enhanced gaming experience, you’ll get most of the staples found on vanilla servers. The one-click mod installation helps you customize your gameplay experience to your liking.
BisectHosting invests its resources into providing a consistent performance with its servers. It also has great customer support. In the rare chance that users encounter issues, the customer support resolves them swiftly.
BisectHosting Pros
Modded Valheim servers provide a novel experience
There are many plans to choose from
The plans are based on RAM, not slots, thereby providing quality instead of quantity
Great customer support
Global data center distribution offers more coverage than many competitors (there are servers even in South-East Asia and South America)
BisectHosting Cons
Backups only last for 7 days
The plans are a bit expensive
You need to pay to update your server
Price of BisectHosting Valheim Servers
BisectHosting’s base plan for Valheim servers is priced at $15.99 monthly.
13. Apex Hosting
Best for Unlimited Slots
Apex Hosting provides unlimited player slots, so users can play Valheim with as many friends as they want. Server overloads are rare, as there are automatic offsite backups in case there’s a crash. Apex Hosting also includes modpack support with its servers, thereby creating a fresh experience for Valheim players.
Despite there being a large number of positive reviews on Trustpilot, it should be mentioned that Apex Hosting has been known to display Trustpilot reviews incorrectly in favor of gaining more positive attention.
Based on genuine reviews, Apex Hosting has solid customer support, reliable servers, and almost no general problems. However, Apex Hosting has a tendency to put buzzwords onto their basic features, such as claiming their DDoS protection is “advanced” without explaining why—and similar oddities.
Apex Hosting Pros
Good customer support
Decent server reliability
Wide data center distribution
Modpack support is useful for those looking to take a fresh, new look at Valheim
Unlimited player slots are great for huge group gaming
Apex Hosting Cons
The company has some questionable business practices—which may extend to its terms and conditions
The plan pricing ramps up disproportionately to the GBs of RAM provided
In general, the higher-end plans are exorbitant
Uses buzzwords on their website to (poorly) mislead customers
Price of Apex Hosting Valheim Servers
You can purchase the base membership for Valheim servers on Apex Hosting for $7.99 monthly, and it’s available at $5.99 for the first month.
Valheim Server Hosting Providers Comparison
Here’s a table that compares the server hosting providers in this list based on their pricing, mod support, player slot numbers, and server locations.
Valheim Server Hosting Platform | Rating Geekflare’s ratings are determined by our editorial team, considering various factors to help you choose the right business software for your needs. | Maximum Player Slots | Server Locations | Starting Price USD (Monthly) | Explore |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GTXGaming | 64 | North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $12.50 | ||
ScalaCube | 10 | North America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $14 | ||
SparkedHost | 10 | North America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $4.80 | ||
G-PORTAL | 9 | Global | $13.55 | ||
Dathost | 10 | Global | $10.55 | ||
Gravel Host | Unlimited | North America, Australia, Europe, Asia | $7 | ||
Indifferent Broccoli | 10 | North America, Europe | $14 | ||
XGamingServer | Unlimited | North America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $15 | ||
Survival Servers | 30 | North America, Europe, Asia | $17.50 | ||
LOW.MS | 64 | North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $12.68 | ||
Host Havoc | 10 | North America, Europe, Asia | $15 | ||
BisectHosting | 10 | North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $15.99 | ||
Apex Hosting | Unlimited | North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia | $7.99 |
Benefits of Using a Valheim Hosting Server
There are 7 main benefits of using a Valheim Hosting Server.
- Lets you play privately with friends and avoid strangers
- Saves you from the effort of having to set up your own server
- Requires little to no technical knowledge from the end-user
- Allows for modded gameplay without needing to mod your own copy of Valheim
- Prevents resource usage on the user’s computer as the game runs on a remote server
- Saves money as it is cheaper than setting up a manual server
- Makes it easier to play with international friends
How to Choose a Good Valheim Hosting Server?
There are 7 key factors to consider when choosing a Valheim hosting server.
- Determine how many people you want to play with. Each server hosting provider has different maximum player slots, so it’s important to gauge this factor before picking a provider. Most server hosting providers offer up to 10 player slots, but some go up to 30 or 64. Rarely, a few server hosting providers let you have an unlimited number of players on your server.
- Check the price of the hosting provider. Server hosting relies on expensive equipment and software; however, some companies have better access to such components than others. Consider the prices and the features that the platform offers for your budget before making a commitment.
- Look at the RAM you get and compare it to the price. It’s best to use RAM allocation as a price-point comparison, as this technical trait directly correlates to performance. Using a ratio (like GB of RAM per dollar) is a good way to tell whether or not you’re overpaying for a server hosting service. This is not the only area you should research when determining if the price for a server hosting service is fair, but it’s arguably the most important. In addition to GB of RAM per dollar, consider the type of CPUs used, the number of player slots, and the various bonus features of each of your top hosting provider choices.
- Think about whether or not you want to play with mods. While vanilla Valheim is enjoyable, you may want to try new features—like with the mod Valheim Plus. If that sounds intriguing to you, discuss with your friends if it’s worth investing in a server hosting provider that has better mod support—or even join a pre-modded server hosting provider.
- Consider server location and where your gameplay friends live. For example, if you and all of your friends live in the US, almost any server hosting provider can be chosen without worrying about your latency. However, if you and some friends are in Asia or Australia, you should pick a provider that has data centers in this part of the world to reduce lag and related concerns.
- Examine customer service through user case reports. The average user rating on review websites like Trustpilot helps you understand how easily you’ll be able to resolve problems that arise with your server. If you need technical assistance often, choose a provider that can aid you when you need it.
- Read the fine print for more details before signing up. Sometimes, companies word their terms and service agreements in a way that can take advantage of customers. This is why you often see complaints about refunds not being issued or billing continuing after a plan is canceled. Read the details of your purchase agreement thoroughly!
FAQ
The best server host for Valheim depends on what factor is most important to you. For a huge number of players, XGamingServer or Apex Hosting is the best. Alternatively, for international gaming, G-PORTAL and Dathost are the best. As for the cheapest option, Sparked Host is the best.
Yes, Apex Hosting is good for Valheim, but its plan prices are relatively expensive, and users on Trustpilot have also reported the platform for shady business practices. Do check out the features and reviews to make an informed choice.
The most user-friendly distros for Valheim servers are Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Debian 9. Experienced Linux users can use CentOS 7 as well.