Best Valheim Server Hosting (2026 Comparison)

Current Survival Servers offer: 25% off the first payment with code VALHEIM25. Checked October 23, 2026. The 10-slot monthly plan is $9.71 for the first month, then $12.95/month. The provider advertises crossplay, automatic backups, full FTP access, a custom control panel, mod installers, and unlimited RAM and storage. See the Survival Servers Valheim offer. This is a sponsored affiliate link; Valheim Companion may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Confirm the selected location, billing term, promo, and renewal total at checkout.

If you've decided not to self-host, the next question is which managed host. They all run the same Valheim dedicated-server software, so compare the renewal price, group size, crossplay support, backup policy, mod support, and server location rather than choosing on the introductory price alone. This page uses documented provider terms and calls out the main drawback of each option. See the site's data sources and editorial policy.

This page includes affiliate links. If you buy hosting through one, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See the full disclosure. Placement is based on the offer and fit described here, not commission size.

Self-host vs managed hosting

Self-hosting means running valheim_server.exe or valheim_server.x86_64 on your own hardware or a VPS you control. You avoid a hosting bill, but you handle updates, port forwarding, backups, security, and uptime. The dedicated server setup guide covers the process, and the configuration generator builds the launch command.

Managed hosting puts the server on a provider's hardware and gives you a web control panel, automated updates and backups, DDoS protection, and a choice of datacenter. It is the simpler option when nobody in the group wants to maintain a machine.

Crossplay matters for which backend you pick

Valheim's dedicated server can use the Steam backend or the PlayFab crossplay backend (-crossplay). PlayFab is required when your group spans PC and console platforms. A host may support crossplay without enabling it by default, so confirm the setting before inviting players. The crossplay guide explains the practical differences.

At a glance

Survival Servers was checked on October 23, 2026; the other prices were checked on October 7. Taxes, currencies, promotions, and regional availability can change.

The hosts, with source notes

Survival Servers — best all-around feature set for a 10-slot plan

Survival Servers currently lists its 10-slot Standard plan at $9.71 for the first month with code VALHEIM25, then $12.95/month. The code takes 25% off the first payment, so it can be worth more when a longer initial billing term is selected. Check the exact first invoice and renewal total before paying.

The plan includes the provider's custom control panel, full FTP access, automatic world backups, crossplay, location switching, and advertised unlimited RAM and storage. ValheimOne adds a live map and web admin console, while the panel provides installers for ValheimPlus and BepInEx. Survival Servers currently lists eight locations: Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Miami, Germany, France, and Singapore.

The main caveat is the refund policy. The provider's FAQ says purchases can be refunded within 72 hours when a customer is not satisfied, while its April 2026 terms say refunds are generally not processed except in special circumstances at staff discretion. Treat a refund as something to confirm with support before ordering. Third-party mods are also offered as a configuration convenience rather than being developed or warranted by the host. Compare Survival Servers billing options.

DatHost — strongest introductory offer for 10 slots

DatHost currently charges €1 for the first month, followed by €14.90/month on monthly billing. The six-month plan costs €45.50 upfront and shows an effective renewal rate of €8.90/month; the yearly plan costs €76.90 upfront and shows €6.90/month at renewal. Longer terms reduce the effective monthly price but require a larger prepayment.

Every Valheim plan includes 10 slots, automatic updates and backups, a world manager, mod and plugin support, and Steam/Xbox crossplay. DatHost also advertises 49 locations, 30GB NVMe storage, up to 2Tbps DDoS protection, and a 14-day refund policy. The €1 offer is the clearest reason to try it, but use the renewal price when comparing long-term cost. Check DatHost's current Valheim price.

Supercraft — straightforward tiers for 5, 10, or 30 players

Supercraft offers S at $7.99/month for 5 players, M at $12.99/month for 10, and L at $24.99/month for 30. All tiers include crossplay, automatic daily backups, and 17Tbit/s DDoS protection. The four listed locations are Oregon, Toronto, Paris, and Sydney.

Choose M or L if you need BepInEx or one-click Thunderstore installs; S is a vanilla-only plan. Supercraft offers a 48-hour refund window. It is a clear value choice when its four-region network puts a server close enough to your group. Compare Supercraft's three plans.

Shockbyte — useful sizing for small and medium groups

Shockbyte lists Eikthyr at $9.99/month (3GB, 4 players), Bonemass at $12.99/month (4GB, 7 players), and Yagluth at $16.99/month (6GB+, 10 players). This makes the real monthly cost easy to compare with the size of your group.

The provider advertises instant setup, crossplay, BepInEx and ValheimPlus support, automatic backups and updates, FTP access, 24/7 support, and a 72-hour self-service refund period. The tradeoff is that modest entry RAM can force an upgrade when a world grows or a modpack becomes heavier. See Shockbyte's Valheim tiers.

Nitrado — broad cross-platform support with a promo-dependent price

Nitrado currently lists a 10-slot Valheim server at $9.72 for 30 days with code DEEPNORTH40, down from a regular $16.19. The same campaign shows $2.46 for three days and $26.16 for 90 days. Treat those as promotional checkout prices and compare the regular rate before subscribing.

Nitrado advertises crossplay across PC and current console platforms, daily backups, and locations in Frankfurt, London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney. A subscription can also switch among several supported games. It suits groups that value provider scale and platform coverage more than the lowest regular monthly price. Check Nitrado's live Valheim offer.

GPORTAL — flexible short-term rental and strong built-in tools

GPORTAL lists $6.24 for three days, $15.59 for 30 days, $42.09 for 90 days, and $79.51 for 180 days with 10 slots. The three-day term is useful for a weekend event or returning-player session; use a longer term for a persistent world.

The product page advertises PC and console crossplay, one-click BepInEx and Thunderstore support, ValheimPlus, 50GB of backup space, 24/7 support, and DDoS protection. GPORTAL is the most flexible short-term choice in this comparison, although it is not the cheapest regular monthly option. See GPORTAL's Valheim terms.

Apex Hosting — low entry price, but compare RAM tiers

Apex Hosting currently applies code APEX25 to the first order. Its 2GB plan is $5.99 for the first month and $7.99 recurring, 4GB is $11.24 then $14.99, and 8GB is $20.99 then $27.99. Apex also lists a seven-day refund policy.

The low headline price fits a small vanilla world. For a larger group or mods, compare the recurring price of a 4GB or 8GB plan rather than judging Apex by its 2GB entry tier. Check Apex's current RAM-tier pricing.

Which should you pick?

• Choose Survival Servers for the strongest all-around feature set: a custom panel, full FTP, backups, crossplay, location switching, and no separate RAM or storage tiers.
• Choose DatHost for the strongest current introductory offer, 10 slots, and broad location choice.
• Choose Supercraft when its four locations work for your group and you want simple player-based pricing.
• Choose Shockbyte when you want a smaller plan sized by both player count and RAM.
• Choose Nitrado for broad cross-platform support, after comparing the regular price behind its promo.
• Choose GPORTAL for a short event server or built-in mod and backup tools.
• Choose Apex for a small world and guided hosting experience, after checking the RAM tier you need.

For most groups, the best shortlist starts with Survival Servers, DatHost, and Supercraft. Choose by renewal total and nearest server location, then check whether the host's backup, refund, and mod policies match how you plan to run the world.

Other option: WinterNode

WinterNode remains a reasonable RAM-priced alternative, but its realistic price needs context. A 6GB configuration starts at $11.94/month, while the provider's recommended 8GB configuration starts at $15.92/month. It advertises nine global locations, crossplay, BepInEx and ValheimPlus support, twice-daily backups with 45-day retention, and a 48-hour refund window. CPU and storage are described as unmetered but remain subject to fair-use terms.

Consider it when long backup retention is a priority. At the recommended 8GB price, compare it directly with the primary options above before ordering. Review WinterNode's current configuration.

Already leaning toward self-hosting?

The dedicated server setup guide walks through the launch scripts and required libraries, server requirements covers the official minimums Iron Gate has published, and the configuration generator builds the exact launch line for the Steam or PlayFab backend.

Disclosure

This page contains affiliate links to Survival Servers, DatHost, Supercraft, Shockbyte, Nitrado, GPORTAL, Apex Hosting, and WinterNode. If you buy hosting through one, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Placement is based on the documented price and product fit described on this page, not affiliate payout. See the Privacy Policy for the full data-handling and affiliate-tracking disclosure.

Survival Servers pricing and features checked October 23, 2026; other providers checked October 7, 2026 against their own product and pricing pages. Promotional codes, taxes, currencies, renewal terms, and availability can change; confirm the final amount at checkout.

Sources: Survival Servers Valheim hosting, Survival Servers FAQ, Survival Servers terms, DatHost Valheim hosting, Supercraft Valheim hosting, Shockbyte Valheim hosting, Nitrado Valheim hosting, GPORTAL Valheim hosting, Apex Valheim pricing, WinterNode Valheim hosting, and WinterNode fair-use terms.