Valheim vs Enshrouded: Which Server Should Your Group Host?

Host Valheim if your group is 10 or fewer, wants console friends in through crossplay, or wants the cheaper server: a vanilla Valheim server for 5 runs on 4 GB. Host Enshrouded if your group is bigger than 10, cares most about building and RPG progression, and everyone plays on PC: it holds 16 players but needs 8 GB for 4 and 12 GB for 8. Both keep the world online when the host logs off, which is the main reason to rent a server for either.

These are the two games groups argue about most when picking a survival world, because they look similar on paper: biomes, crafting tiers, bosses and base building. In practice they differ in group size, server cost, crossplay and how much the building matters. Here is the comparison that decides it.

Side by side

Prices are GamezServers monthly plans priced by RAM. Our Enshrouded plans hold 4, 8 and 16 players on 8, 12 and 16 GB, and Valheim plans hold 5, 10 and 10 on 4, 6 and 8 GB.

Group size and cost

This is usually the deciding factor. Valheim's server is light: 4 GB for vanilla with up to 5 Vikings, 6 GB for a full crew of 10 or big late game bases. Enshrouded is one of the heavier survival servers, because its world is more detailed and it tracks a lot of voxel terrain changes. For a group of 5 the difference is roughly three times the monthly cost.

The other side: Valheim stops at 10. If your group is 12, Valheim is simply not an option without mods, and Enshrouded's 16 is the answer.

Details: Valheim server requirements and Enshrouded server requirements.

Crossplay

If anyone in your group is on console, it is Valheim. Since 1.0, Valheim's vanilla server type supports crossplay with Xbox, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and PC Game Pass, with console players joining through a join code. Enshrouded is not crossplay at its 1.0 launch, PS5 players cannot join a Steam server, and Xbox is planned for spring 2027. See Valheim dedicated server crossplay and is Enshrouded crossplay.

Gameplay differences that matter on a server

Progression. Both gate progress behind biomes. Valheim uses bosses that unlock the next tier. Enshrouded adds a skill tree and level cap, so it feels more like an RPG, and 1.0 raises the level cap to 50 with a skill tree reset.

Building. Valheim's structural integrity makes building a puzzle: wood needs support, stone needs foundations. Enshrouded's voxel building lets you reshape terrain and build almost anything, with far more detail. Builders tend to prefer Enshrouded, while people who enjoy making a longhouse stand up properly prefer Valheim.

Exploration. Valheim's world is generated from a seed, so each new world is different and sailing is a big part of exploring. Enshrouded's world is handmade with dungeons and puzzles, which makes it tighter but the same every time.

Permissions. Enshrouded's role groups let you give one password to trusted builders and another to guests who cannot open chests or edit bases. Valheim has one server password plus an admin list, so you trust everyone who joins. Enshrouded server password and permissions explains the roles.

Mods. Valheim has a large modding scene through BepInEx and Thunderstore, from quality of life to full overhauls, but mods are PC only. Enshrouded's modding is much more limited.

Which to host

1. Group of 2 to 5 on a budget: Valheim. 4 GB does it.
2. Console players in the group: Valheim.
3. Group of 11 to 16: Enshrouded.
4. Builders and RPG fans, all on PC: Enshrouded.
5. Want mods: Valheim.
6. Can't decide: start Valheim on the small plan. If the group loves it but wants more building depth, switch.

Try one, switch if it does not stick

On GamezServers you can switch the game on your server from the panel, so you are not locked into a choice: start a Valheim server for a few weeks, then turn it into an Enshrouded server and change plan, prorated. Both are live within minutes, with settings in the panel, one click backups, and the bill split with up to 10 friends.

FAQ

Is Enshrouded better than Valheim?

Neither is better overall. Enshrouded has deeper building and RPG systems and holds 16 players. Valheim is cheaper to host, supports console crossplay and has more mods.

Which needs more server RAM, Valheim or Enshrouded?

Enshrouded. It needs 8 GB for up to 4 players and 12 GB for up to 8, while Valheim runs 5 players on 4 GB.

Can more than 10 people play Valheim?

Not in vanilla. 10 is the limit per world. Enshrouded supports up to 16.

Can PS5 players join a Valheim or Enshrouded server?

PS5 players can join a Valheim server through crossplay since 1.0. Enshrouded has no crossplay at launch, so PS5 players cannot join a Steam server.