When your co-op group gets frustrated with the host-dependency problem, two solutions come up most often: renting a dedicated server or using a save-sharing tool like SaveSync. Both solve the core issue of letting anyone play without the original host, but they do it in fundamentally different ways.

This is an honest comparison of both approaches so you can decide which one fits your group.

How Dedicated Servers Work

A dedicated server is a remote machine that runs your game world 24/7. Players connect to it like they would connect to any multiplayer server. The world exists independently of any individual player.

You can either rent a server from a hosting provider (Nitrado, GPortal, Shockbyte, etc.) or run one yourself on a spare computer or a cloud instance.

What dedicated servers do well:

  • The world is always available, even when nobody is playing
  • Multiple players can join and leave without any coordination
  • Works well for large groups or communities
  • The game runs on dedicated hardware, so the host’s PC performance does not affect the session

How SaveSync Works

SaveSync takes a different approach. Instead of running the game on a separate server, it keeps the save file synchronized across all players in your group. When someone wants to play, they pull the latest save and host the game from their own machine, just like normal peer-to-peer co-op.

The game still runs on a player’s computer. What changes is that any player can be the host, not just the person who started the world.

The Comparison

Cost

Dedicated servers typically cost between $5 and $15 per month, depending on the game, the server specs, and the provider. For Valheim, expect around $8 to $12 per month. For Satisfactory or Minecraft, similar ranges. Over a year, that is $60 to $180. If your group plays multiple games, multiply accordingly.

SaveSync is a one-time purchase on Steam. No subscription, no recurring fees. It works across all 27 supported games with a single purchase.

For a casual group that plays a few hours a week, SaveSync is dramatically cheaper.

Setup Difficulty

Dedicated servers require configuration. You need to choose a hosting provider, set up the server, configure game settings, manage ports and firewalls, keep the server updated when the game patches, and troubleshoot when things break. Some hosting providers simplify this with one-click installs, but you are still managing an external service.

SaveSync installs from Steam like any other application. You create a group, invite friends, select a game, and start syncing. Setup takes minutes, not hours.

Game Support

Dedicated servers are only available for games that have dedicated server software. Many popular co-op games do not offer this. Schedule I, Stardew Valley, and several others have no dedicated server option at all.

SaveSync works with 27 games including many that have no dedicated server alternative. Since it syncs save files rather than running game servers, it can support games that were never designed for dedicated hosting.

Performance

Dedicated servers offload the game processing to a separate machine, which means the host player does not take a performance hit. This matters for games where hosting is CPU-intensive.

SaveSync still relies on one player’s machine to host the session. If the host has a weak PC or a slow internet connection, other players may notice. However, since any player can host, the group can choose whoever has the best setup.

Always-On Availability

Dedicated servers win here. The world is literally always running. Players can drop in and out at any time without coordination.

SaveSync requires a player to actively host. The world is not running in the background. However, since any player can start a session with the latest save, someone just needs to be online and willing to host.

Maintenance

Dedicated servers need ongoing attention. Game updates can break server configurations. Mods need to be updated on the server separately. If something crashes, someone needs to fix it.

SaveSync requires no maintenance beyond keeping the app and the game updated through Steam, which happens automatically.

When to Choose a Dedicated Server

A dedicated server makes sense if you have a large group (10+ players), play a single game very frequently, need the world to be online 24/7, and are comfortable with the technical management and ongoing costs. For Minecraft communities and large Valheim clans, dedicated servers are the standard for good reason.

When to Choose SaveSync

SaveSync makes sense if you play in a small to medium group of friends, play multiple co-op games, want to avoid monthly costs, do not want to manage server infrastructure, or play games that do not support dedicated servers. For the typical co-op friend group of two to six people who play together a few times a week, SaveSync is the simpler and more economical choice.

They Can Coexist

These are not mutually exclusive options. Some groups use dedicated servers for their primary game and SaveSync for everything else. Use whatever makes the most sense for each game and each group.