How to host a Veloren server (2026)

Short answer. You can host a Veloren server yourself for free: download the Linux or Windows build from the project's download server, unzip it, run veloren-server-cli once to create the userdata folder, and forward port 14004 on your router. Or rent a Veloren server and skip the networking.

Veloren is not on Steam. Players type your server address into the Server field on the game's main menu and press Multiplayer.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the weekly build of 27 October 2026. The latest tagged release is v0.18.0 (23 January 2026).

This guide uses the official Veloren book, the Veloren source code and the setup our Veloren servers use. To go straight to the rental route, see Option 2.

What you need

• Operating system: a 64-bit Linux or Windows PC. The server program is veloren-server-cli (veloren-server-cli.exe on Windows).
• Hardware: the Veloren book does not list server requirements, so we do not give a figure.
• Network: port 14004 (TCP by default) reachable from the internet. The book also lists optional 14005 (TCP, web interface) and 14006 (UDP, server query).
• Accounts: no Steam account is involved. Players log in with a Veloren account by default.
• The game: every player needs the Veloren client, which the project distributes through its Airshipper launcher.

The server software is free. You pay for the machine, power and bandwidth.

Option 1: host it yourself

This works on a spare PC, a home server or a cloud virtual machine.

1. Download the server build. The project's download server answers with a redirect to the newest build. The weekly channel is the one we install:

   sudo apt install curl unzip
   mkdir ~/veloren && cd ~/veloren
   curl -fsSL -o veloren.zip https://download.veloren.net/latest/linux/x86_64/weekly
   unzip veloren.zip

   The archive (about 470 MB) also holds the game client (veloren-voxygen), which a server does not need. Keep the assets folder: the book says it must sit next to the server program. On Windows, use https://download.veloren.net/latest/windows/x86_64/weekly in a browser and extract it. We have only run the Linux build ourselves.
2. Make it executable and start it once.

   chmod +x veloren-server-cli
   ./veloren-server-cli

   The first start creates the userdata folder next to the program.
3. Stop it and edit the settings. The main file is userdata/server/server_config/settings.ron. Some of the keys in it:

   max_players: 100,
   auth_server_address: Some("https://auth.veloren.net"),
   world_seed: 25269,
   max_view_distance: Some(65),

   The book's example uses these values. Our own file also sets server_name, day_length, max_player_group_size and gameplay: ( battle_mode: ... ).
4. Open the port. Forward 14004 on your router to the machine and allow it in its firewall (with ufw: sudo ufw allow 14004/tcp). TCP is the default. settings.ron can also add a QUIC listener, which runs over UDP and needs a TLS certificate and key file.
5. Start the server again with ./veloren-server-cli and share your public IP. On the same network, use the local IP instead.
6. Make yourself an admin. In the server console, type admin add <USER> <ROLE>, where the role is admin or moderator. The list is stored in admins.ron as player UUIDs.

No port forwarding possible? The book suggests ZeroTier, Netbird or Hamachi for a small group.

Option 2: host it on PlayNHost

Renting removes the router, firewall and download steps. The panel assigns the port and writes the settings file for you.

1. Pick a plan. Open the Veloren server hosting page and compare the plans (IRON, COBALT and ORICHALCUM at the time of writing, for 12, 32 and 64 players). Press Create Server (Customize Plan on ORICHALCUM) and finish the order. Prices change, so check them on that page.
2. Wait for the install. You get an email saying your Veloren server is ready and the server appears at panel.playnhost.com. The panel counts the server as running when the Console prints Server is ready to accept connections.
3. Open Settings, then Game Settings. These fields feed the server's config files at each start:
   • Server name: your server's name, up to 64 characters.
   • Welcome message: shown to players as they arrive, up to 200 characters.
   • Player slots: the player limit that comes with your plan, marked Read only.
   • Combat rules: PvP, PvE or per player.
   • Day length, View distance limit and Party size limit.
   • Require Veloren accounts: on by default. Turn it off and anyone can join under any name.
4. Restart. After you save, the panel says the server must restart; press Restart now and wait for the ready line.
5. Join. Type the server address and port from the panel (for example address:port) into the game's Server field and press Multiplayer. Our guide How to join your Veloren server covers it step by step.

What the panel does for you

• The settings file is rewritten at every start. veloren-server-cli reads its port, player limit and world seed only from settings.ron, so our launcher writes that file from Game Settings each time. Hand edits to that file are replaced at the next restart: change values in Game Settings.
• Your world survives settings changes. The world seed is generated once on the first start, then read back out of the file and reused, so changing other settings does not reshape the map. The console says whether it is a new world or the existing one. See How to keep or reset your Veloren world.
• A safe name. Quotes and backslashes are dropped from the server name, because one would break the settings file and the server would fall back to its built-in defaults, including 100 players.
• Admins. See How to make yourself an admin on your Veloren server.

Self-hosting or renting: an honest comparison

• Cost. Self-hosted: the software is free, and you pay for hardware, power and bandwidth. Rented: a monthly fee set by plan. See the current plans.
• Availability. Self-hosted: as reliable as your machine and home internet, and it must be on when friends play. Rented: runs on the host's hardware.
• Network exposure. Self-hosted: players connect to your public IP and you manage the router and firewall. Rented: your home IP is not involved.
• Skill needed. Self-hosted: command line, port forwarding and editing a RON file. Rented: a web panel with form fields.
• Updates. Self-hosted: download the new build and replace the files. Rented: the install downloads the project's current weekly build.

Self-hosting suits you if a machine already runs all day and you are comfortable with networking. Renting suits you if you would rather not look after hardware.

FAQ

Can I host a Veloren server for free?

Yes. The server is free to download. You still pay for the machine and internet, and it must stay on while people play.

Which port does a Veloren server use?

14004 for the game (TCP by default). The book also lists 14005 (TCP, web interface) and 14006 (UDP, query) as optional.

Is Veloren on Steam?

No. The server and client come from the project's own downloads.

Do players need an account?

By default yes, a Veloren account checked against https://auth.veloren.net. The book warns that a custom auth server shows players a security warning.

Ready to skip the setup? See the Veloren server plans.