Thunderstore mods, set up for you
Search Thunderstore from the Mods tab and add mods like Epic Loot or Plant Everything. HostForge installs each with what it needs and BepInEx, and gives your group one r2modman code for the same mods.
Free Valheim server hosting with mods
Keep your Viking world online when the host logs off. Launch a free dedicated Valheim server for up to 10 players, add Thunderstore mods, pick its world modifiers, turn on crossplay, list it in the community directory, and bring the world you already play.
Meadows LonghouseRunning
Europe
203.0.113.24:16400Players4/10
Memory2.1 GB / 4 GB
Uptime5d 2h
- Game version
- Valheim 1.0
- World modifiers
- Normal
- Mods
- 9 from Thunderstore
- Last backup
- Today, 10:00
Illustrative values, not a live server.
Choose how your world plays. We keep it running.
No spare PC left on overnight and no port forwarding. HostForge runs the dedicated server, installs your mods, keeps it on the current game version, and gives you an address and password to share.
- 01
Set up your world.
Pick a world modifier preset such as Casual, Hard or Hammer Mode, or set combat, death penalty, resources, raids and portals yourself. Add mods from Thunderstore.
- 02
Choose a region.
North America or the EU, for up to 10 players.
- 03
Start it and invite your group.
Follow live progress, then share the address and password your group adds in Join Game, and the r2modman code that installs your mods.
Built for groups
Everything a shared world needs.
The practical tools your group needs once the world is running, without a separate server admin.
Crossplay when you want it
Turn on crossplay and players on every platform can join, by address or with the join code the server shows.
Bring your world with you
Upload a ZIP of your world, from Valheim 1.0 or an earlier version, and download it whenever you want.
Free while HostForge is in beta
Run a dedicated Valheim world for your group at no cost. Spots are limited and no end date is set. If that ever changes, you get at least 30 days' notice and time to download your world.
Start free beta server- Server
- One free Co-op world per account, for the 10 players Valheim allows.
- Regions
- North America and Europe
- Included
- Thunderstore mods, daily backups, world upload, team access, live server log
- How long
- Free until further notice. You can download your world at any time.
Guides for your server.
All Valheim guides- Set up a Valheim dedicated serverInstall the Valheim dedicated server with Steam Tools or SteamCMD, set a name, world and password, open UDP ports 2456 and 2457, and get your group in.
- Join a Valheim server by IP addressHow to join a Valheim dedicated server with Add server, which port to use, crossplay join codes, and what to do about a wrong password or version.
- Move your Valheim world to a dedicated serverFind your Valheim world, copy the 1.0 world folder or older .fwl and .db files to a dedicated server, and keep its world modifiers.
- Valheim world modifiers on a dedicated serverEvery Valheim world modifier and preset, what each value really changes, and how to set them on a dedicated server with -preset and -modifier.
- Valheim server admins, bans and the permitted listMake yourself admin on a Valheim server with adminlist.txt, find player IDs, ban and kick from the F5 console, and use permittedlist.txt.
- Add mods to a Valheim dedicated serverInstall BepInEx on a Valheim dedicated server, add Thunderstore mods and what they need, and give players the same mods with r2modman.
- Join a modded Valheim server with r2modmanInstall a modded Valheim server's mods with r2modman: pick Valheim, import the server's profile code or file, then start modded and join.
A few practical answers.
How does beta access work?
HostForge is in beta, and beta servers are free. Each account can run one free Co-op server, which takes the 10 players a Valheim server allows. For a long-explored world with large bases, pick Co-op High Performance when you create it.
How do players join?
In Valheim, choose Start Game and a character, open Join Game, choose Add server and enter the address from the server page as IP:port, then select it, choose Connect and type the server password. A public server also appears in the community server list.
Can I run Valheim mods on my server?
Yes. Search Thunderstore from your server's Mods tab and add any Valheim mod or modpack. HostForge adds the mods it needs and BepInEx, pins exact versions, installs them at the next start and updates them all with one click. Each mod's settings file is editable under Configuration files.
How do players install the server's mods?
With r2modman. The Mods tab shows the steps and a profile code: in r2modman, pick Valheim, choose Import / Update, paste the code, import it as a new profile and choose Start modded. Our guide to joining a modded Valheim server walks through every screen.
Which Valheim mods can I use?
Any mod or modpack published on Thunderstore for Valheim, such as Epic Loot or Plant Everything. Mods that only change what one player sees, like a minimap, can stay in players' own profiles instead of on the server.
Can console and Game Pass players join?
Yes, with crossplay turned on in the server settings. Players on any platform can then join by address or with the join code shown in the server console.
What happens when Valheim updates?
Players can only join a server on the same version as their game. HostForge checks Steam for new dedicated server builds several times a day and prepares them on every host; a restart, or the Update button, moves your server onto the new version.
Can I change the world modifiers?
Yes. Choose Normal, Casual, Easy, Hard, Hardcore, Immersive or Hammer Mode, or Custom to set combat, death penalty, resource rate, raids, portals, no build cost, passive enemies, player based raids and no map. Changes apply the next time the server starts.
Can I bring my existing world?
Yes. Stop the server, open the Backups tab, and upload a ZIP of your world: the world folder Valheim 1.0 saves, or the .fwl and .db files of an older world, which the game converts when the server starts. Choose "As saved in the world" in the settings to keep its modifiers.
How do I make myself an admin?
Add your player ID, shown in the game's F2 panel, to adminlist.txt under Configuration files while the server is stopped. bannedlist.txt and permittedlist.txt work the same way.
Do saves persist?
Yes. Your world lives outside the game container, the server saves it as you play and when it stops, and HostForge takes a daily backup, keeping the last seven. You can also download the world at any time.