Read this first
Vintage Story multiplayer isn’t Bedrock or Java — it’s its own thing
- There’s no account-based friends system. Unlike Minecraft Bedrock, there’s no built-in “join a friend’s world” list — you connect by IP address, the same way for everyone.
- You don’t necessarily need a dedicated server. A single-player world can be opened up to others directly from the pause menu — genuinely the fastest path if you just want a weekend session.
- Mods sync automatically since version 1.16. If the host’s world has mods, your game sets them up for you when you connect — you don’t need to track down and install anything yourself beforehand. Server owners still need to install those mods on their end first, though.
Still deciding whether to buy the game with friends in mind? Our honest breakdown of how hard multiplayer actually is answers that directly.
Quick answer
Which method is right for you?
Answer honestly and jump straight to your method below.
🏠
Same house, same WiFi?
Use Method 1: Open to LAN — zero setup, works in seconds.
🌍
Different houses, want it free?
Try Method 2: Open to Internet first, or Method 3: SaveSync if it fails.
🔌
Don’t want to touch your router at all?
Use Method 3: SaveSync — no port forwarding, ever.
⏰
Want it online 24/7, more than a few players?
Use Method 4: A dedicated server.
All methods, in detail
Four ways to play Vintage Story with friends
Ordered from easiest and free, to most control and paid.
1
Open to LAN — same house or WiFi
Zero setup · works instantly · same network only
If everyone’s physically in the same house on the same router, this is the fastest way in — built directly into the pause menu, no extra downloads.
1
Load your single-player world
Open Vintage Story and load into any existing world as normal.
2
Open the escape menu and click “Open to LAN”
This immediately makes your world visible to other devices on the same local network — no further configuration needed.
3
Friends join through the multiplayer server list
On their device, they open Vintage Story, go to the server browser, and your world should appear automatically as a local game.
The catch: this only works while you’re physically on the same network. Once anyone leaves the house, you need Method 2, 3, or 4 instead.
2
Open to Internet — different houses, still free
Automatic UPnP · ~60% success rate · fallback: manual port forward
The same “Open to LAN” screen has a second button — “Open to Internet” — which attempts to configure your router automatically so friends outside your house can join too.
1
Load your world and click “Open to LAN”, then “Open to Internet”
This attempts a technique called UPnP, which asks your router to automatically forward the right port. According to Vintage Story’s own wiki, this works instantly without issues roughly 60% of the time.
2
Share your public IP with friends
If it worked, give friends your public IP address (search “what is my IP”) — they connect via the Direct Connect option in the multiplayer menu.
3
If it fails, forward the port manually
Log into your router’s admin page, find Port Forwarding, and forward both TCP and UDP port 42420 to your PC’s local IP address. This is the same port used for both LAN and internet play.
The catch: a ~40% failure rate on the automatic option isn’t rare, and manual port forwarding trips up a lot of first-timers. If that sounds like hassle you’d rather skip, Method 3 avoids routers entirely — or if a friend still can’t connect after forwarding the port, our troubleshooting guide covers the usual culprits.
3
SaveSync — no router, no port forwarding, ever
Community tool · uses Steam’s network directly
SaveSync is a popular community-made tool that creates a VPN-like connection over Steam’s own network, so there’s genuinely nothing to configure on your router — it just works through Steam itself.
1
Everyone installs SaveSync
It’s available as a companion tool through Steam — both the host and any joining friends need it installed.
2
Host shares their world through the tool
SaveSync keeps everyone’s copy of the world file updated automatically — whoever is playing continues from the same shared progress.
3
Connect through your Steam friends list
You’ll get a connection notification once linked — no IP addresses, no ports, no router settings.
The catch: it’s a third-party tool rather than an official feature, so support is community-driven rather than from Anego Studios directly. It also works best for smaller groups taking turns rather than everyone playing simultaneously long-term.
4
A dedicated server — most control, always online
Self-host free, or rent one · no player caps
If your group wants the world online whether or not the original host is playing, mods, or just doesn’t want to rely on someone’s home PC staying on, a dedicated server is the real answer.
A
Run it yourself, for free
Vintage Story’s dedicated server software is a free download from the same client install — it just needs a
--dataPath pointed at its own folder so it doesn’t clash with your single-player settings, plus the same port 42420 forwarded on your router.B
Rent one instead
Kinetic Hosting is our top pick for Vintage Story specifically, with LOW.MS, Indifferent Broccoli and AleForge also strong options — all handle the setup, port forwarding and uptime for you. If you’d rather not commit before trying one, see our free Vintage Story hosting guide for trial and no-cost options.
Worth knowing: once you’ve got a dedicated server running, our server settings guide and mods guide cover getting it configured properly. Already got a single-player world you love? You don’t need to start over — see how to bring an existing world to a server.
Side by side
All four methods compared
| Method | Cost | Setup difficulty | Works across houses? | Always online? | Touches your router? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Open to LAN | Free | None | ❌ Same WiFi only | ❌ Host must be playing | No |
| 2. Open to Internet | Free | Easy (auto) / Moderate (manual) | ✅ Yes | ❌ Host must be playing | Sometimes |
| 3. SaveSync | Free | Easy | ✅ Yes | ❌ Whoever’s turn it is | No |
| 4. Dedicated server | Free (self-host) — from $4.99/mo (rented) | Self-host: moderate · Rented: easy | ✅ Yes | Self-host: only while PC is on · Rented: ✅ always on | Self-host: yes · Rented: no |
FAQ
Playing Vintage Story with friends — common questions
Not for a quick session — “Open to LAN” or “Open to Internet” from the pause menu takes seconds. It gets more involved only if you want something always-on, which is where a dedicated server comes in. We cover this in more depth in our is Vintage Story multiplayer hard? guide.
Port 42420, both TCP and UDP. This is the same port whether you’re using Open to Internet, a self-hosted dedicated server, or a rented one.
No, not since Vintage Story 1.16. When you connect to a server running mods, your client automatically downloads and sets them up to match. See our mods guide for how server owners install them in the first place.
It relies on UPnP, which your router needs to support and have enabled — roughly 40% of the time it doesn’t work automatically. Manually forwarding TCP and UDP port 42420 in your router’s settings usually fixes it. If your connection uses CGNAT, port forwarding won’t work at all regardless of configuration, and SaveSync or a rented server become your only reliable options.
SaveSync keeps a shared save file updated between players who take turns hosting — there’s no server running continuously. A dedicated server stays online independently of any one player’s PC, so multiple people can be in the world at the same time whenever they like, not just when the host happens to be online.
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