Valheim is a great game for a small group that wants to build, explore, and survive together in a shared world. If you want a server that your friends can use when you play, EpheHost lets you start one in the browser or with a Discord command, pay only for the time it runs, and let it pause itself after the session while the world stays saved.
What you need
Before you begin, it helps to have a few basics ready:
- An EpheHost account
- Some prepaid credit on your account
- A Discord account if you want to use Discord commands to control the server
- The friends you want to invite
- A plan for how many player slots you want
EpheHost uses prepaid credit without a subscription, and that credit never expires. If you sign in with a Discord account that is at least 30 days old, you can get €2 starter credit.
For Valheim, the important thing to know is that the server only needs to run while your group is actually playing. EpheHost game servers run while you play, and after 20 minutes with nobody online, the server pauses by itself while the world stays saved. That can make it easier to share one world with friends without paying for time you are not using.
Step by step with EpheHost
1. Create the server in the browser
Start by creating your Valheim server through the EpheHost website. Choose Valheim from the available games and set up your server for your group.
EpheHost supports 20 games, including Valheim, Palworld, Enshrouded, Minecraft, Rust, and Counter-Strike 2, so make sure you select the Valheim option for this guide.
Once the server is created, it will be ready for you to manage from the panel.
2. Pick the slots
Choose the number of player slots that fits your group. Think about how many people will join at the same time, not just how many friends might want access in total.
If you usually play with a small, regular group, keep the slot count matched to that group. If you are planning a larger session, you can choose enough room so everyone can join together.
Keeping the setup close to your actual group size can make the server easier to manage and helps you pay for what you need.
3. Start it in the panel or with /start in Discord
When your group is ready to play, start the server either in the EpheHost panel or by using /start in Discord.
This is one of the main benefits for a friend group: you do not need to leave the server running when nobody is around. You can start it when game night begins, play your session, and let it pause later if everyone logs off.
If your group already talks in Discord, using the command there can be a simple way to get everyone moving quickly. If you prefer the website, you can start it from the browser instead.
4. Give your friends the address the panel shows
After the server is running, open the panel and copy the server address it shows. Send that address to your friends so they can join your shared world.
Keep the address in your group chat, Discord server, or wherever your friends coordinate your sessions. That way, when you start the server again for the next play session, everyone knows where to connect.
The game page lists the steps to join, so your friends can follow those when they are ready to connect.
What it costs
Valheim on EpheHost starts from 0.25 €/h.
EpheHost charges per minute, based on a public price list that includes 19% VAT. That means you are not locked into paying for large blocks of unused time if your session is short.
For a group of friends, this can be useful because many shared worlds are active only on certain evenings or weekends. You start the server when you want to play, and after 20 minutes with nobody online, it pauses by itself while the world stays saved.
EpheHost uses prepaid credit, not a subscription. You add credit to your account and use it over time. Your prepaid credit never expires, so you can keep it there for future Valheim sessions without needing a recurring plan.
If you are just getting started and your Discord account is at least 30 days old, you can receive €2 starter credit. That can help you try a first session with your group before adding more credit.
Tips for playing together
Decide who starts the server
Pick one or two people in the friend group who are responsible for starting the server before each session. That keeps things simple and avoids confusion about whether the world is already running.
Share the address in one place
Post the server address in a single, easy-to-find chat channel. If someone joins late, they can quickly find it without asking the group again.
Set a regular play time
Valheim works well as a shared world, so it helps to agree on a regular time for group sessions. Even a loose schedule can make it easier to gather everyone for exploration, building, or boss prep.
Think about your slot count before a bigger session
If your usual group is small but you are inviting extra friends for one night, check your slot choice before the session begins. It is easier when everyone can join without last-minute changes.
Let the pause behavior work for you
Because the server pauses after 20 minutes with nobody online and the world stays saved, you do not need to treat it like something that has to stay active all week. That is a good fit for a friends-only world that comes alive when the group is online together.
Start your Valheim world
If you want to set up a shared world for your group, take a look at Valheim on EpheHost for the game page and the price list for current pricing details.