How Much Does It Cost to Host a Valheim Server?
What a Valheim server really costs — and why it's one of the cheapest games to host. The factors that set the price (RAM, group size, world age, mods), the typical monthly ranges, and how to size it for a Viking co-op group without overpaying.
Valheim is light, so it's cheap: roughly €5-10 a month for a small group, and €10-15 for a larger or long-lived world. The main price driver is RAM, but Valheim needs far less than heavy survival games, and its small group sizes (a soft cap around 10 players) mean you almost never need a big plan.
Below is what each factor does to the price. For exact pricing, see our Valheim server hosting plans.
What you'll need
A quick checklist before you begin — have these ready and the rest is easy.
- A realistic (small) player count — Valheim tops out around 10.
- A sense of whether the world will be long-lived or modded.
- A host with 2-8 GB plans and crossplay support.
- DDoS protection included for a public server.
- The option to scale RAM as the world grows.
What actually drives the price
RAM — but not much of it
Valheim is light. 2-4 GB comfortably runs a small group, and 4-8 GB covers a larger party or a long-explored world. That's a fraction of what ARK or Rust need, which is why Valheim is cheap to host.
2-4 GB small group 4-8 GB larger party / long-lived world
Group size
Valheim's recommended player count is small — around 10. You don't pay for big slot counts because the game isn't built for them, so a small plan covers most groups.
World age
A long-explored world holds more map data, which raises RAM use over months. A veteran server needs a bit more than a fresh one — the main reason to nudge up from 2-4 GB to 4-8 GB.
Mods (BepInFn)
Vanilla Valheim is tiny. Adding BepInEx mods (content, QoL, bigger worlds) increases RAM a little, but it stays light compared with other survival games. Mods are a minor cost factor here.
Managed vs self-host
Because Valheim is so light, self-hosting on a spare PC is genuinely viable for a small group — but it still ties up the PC 24/7 and exposes your IP. Managed hosting keeps it always-online with crossplay and protection for a low monthly fee.
Cheap and simple
Start at 2-4 GB
Valheim rarely needs more early on. Begin small and only move to 4-8 GB if the world gets large or you add mods — no reason to overbuy.
No big slot plans needed
Valheim tops out around 10 players by design. Don't pay for a 30-slot plan — the game isn't built to use it.
Crossplay-ready matters more than size
For a mixed-platform group, a crossplay-ready host is worth more than extra RAM. Pick that over a bigger plan you won't use.
Protection included
Even a small server can be attacked. A host that includes DDoS protection keeps game nights safe without an add-on fee.
Common problems & fixes
Hit a snag? These are the issues people run into most — and how to solve them.
My Valheim server got slower after months
A long-explored world holds more data. Nudge RAM from 2-4 GB to 4-8 GB — it's the usual fix for a veteran world.
I bought a big slot plan I don't use
Valheim only supports ~10 players. Downsize to a small plan; the extra slots aren't usable.
Some friends can't see the server
That's crossplay, not plan size. Make sure the host runs crossplay-ready (see our best Valheim server settings) rather than buying more resources.
Self-hosting ties up my PC
Valheim is light, but the PC must stay on 24/7 and exposes your IP. A cheap managed plan removes both problems.
Skip the setup — host it with ESAGAMES
Want a cheap, always-online Valheim server? Our Valheim hosting is crossplay-ready with DDoS protection and backups included, on a low-latency Frankfurt network — online in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Valheim server cost per month?
Typically €5-10 for a small group and €10-15 for a larger or long-lived world. Valheim is one of the cheapest games to host because it needs little RAM and only small player counts.
How much RAM does a Valheim server need?
2-4 GB for a small group and 4-8 GB for a larger party or a long-explored world. It needs far less than heavy survival games like ARK or Rust.
Is it cheaper to self-host Valheim?
Valheim is light enough that self-hosting on a spare PC is genuinely viable for a small group — but the PC must stay on 24/7 and your IP is exposed. For an always-online, crossplay-ready, protected server, a cheap managed plan is usually the better deal.
How many players can a Valheim server hold?
The recommended count is small — around 10. The game isn't built for large populations, so you don't need (or pay for) big slot counts.
Why did my Valheim server need more RAM over time?
A long-explored world holds more map data, which gradually raises RAM use. Moving from 2-4 GB to 4-8 GB covers a veteran world — it's normal as the map grows.
Do mods make a Valheim server much more expensive?
Not much. BepInEx mods add a little RAM, but Valheim stays light compared with other survival games. Mods are a minor cost factor here rather than a major one.
Keep reading
Valheim is a trademark of Iron Gate AB / Coffee Stain Publishing. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Iron Gate. Prices vary by provider and configuration; see our plans for current pricing.
