Windows 10/11 or Linux · One friendly control panel

Turn the PC you own into the game server you want.

Use the Windows 10/11 or Linux PC, mini PC, home server, or VPS you already own. Swarm Hosts provides the browser control plane for launching and managing supported game servers while your worlds stay on your hardware.

Start with Minecraft See the product
  • Windows + LinuxKeep the operating system you already know
  • 1 free swarmhostConnect one machine at no cost
  • Browser managedNo shell access for everyday tasks
  • Zone failoverThree-host quorum recovery from verified replicas

A short flight path

Spare hardware to playable server in three steps.

Swarm Hosts handles the repeatable management layer. You keep the machine, the game files, and the decision-making.

  1. 01

    Connect your PC

    Install the lightweight agent on Windows 10/11 with Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode, or Linux with Docker Engine or rootful Podman.

  2. 02

    Choose a game

    Start with Minecraft or pick another game from the validated catalog.

  3. 03

    Invite your friends

    Check reachability, share the player address, and operate it from your browser.

One operational workspace

A calm view of the things that matter.

Once your host is connected, Swarm Hosts brings its real runtime state, resource signals, player access, and local recovery tools into one place.

Swarm Server workspaceHost-reported
After launchLive state from your host
RuntimeState & safe actions
ResourcesCPU & memory signals
RecoveryLocal backup history
Player addresses appear after Swarm Hosts confirms reachability. Host-confirmed only
Explore the interactive product tour

Pick your world

Start with a game you already love.

Minecraft is the recommended first server. Every game shown here is enabled in the current Early Access catalog.

Minecraft Java artworkRecommended first serverMinecraft Java ARK: Survival Ascended artworkValidated Early AccessARK: Survival Ascended Valheim artworkValidated Early AccessValheim Factorio artworkValidated Early AccessFactorio Terraria artworkValidated Early AccessTerraria Garry's Mod artworkValidated Early AccessGarry's Mod Counter-Strike: Source artworkValidated Early AccessCounter-Strike: Source Left 4 Dead 2 artworkValidated Early AccessLeft 4 Dead 2 Minetest artworkValidated Early AccessMinetest Team Fortress 2 artworkValidated Early AccessTeam Fortress 2
View supported games and hardware guidance

Ownership without the busywork

Your server stays yours.

Swarm Hosts does not provide compute. It coordinates supported game servers on hardware you control, using account tokens instead of your host password.

Tokens, not passwordsRotate access without exposing a host login.
Quorum-based failoverWith three hosts and 3-copy protection, two LAN witnesses can recover an unavailable server from a verified replica.
Managed player accessShared relay and custom DNS where supported.

Before you connect a host

The practical answers.

What hardware can I use?

A supported Windows 10/11 or Linux PC, mini PC, home server, or VPS with Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode on Windows, or Docker Engine or rootful Podman on Linux and enough resources for your game. Windows 10/11 is supported through Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode, so you can keep using Windows instead of replacing it with Linux.

Do I need port forwarding?

Not when a supported deployment uses the managed shared relay. Direct-connect paths may still require it; the game guide explains the right path.

What does “free” include?

One connected host, unlimited local Swarm Servers on it, and the core browser control plane. Swarm Hosts does not provide the compute.

Where are my game files?

Worlds, configuration, and local backups remain on the host you control. Browser workflows help you operate them without moving ownership away from you.

How does automatic failover work?

Enable it on a Swarm Zone with at least three hosts and use 3-copy protection. After the grace period, both healthy LAN peers must agree the host is unreachable before Swarm Hosts fences the source and restores from a recent verified replica on a surviving host.

Your first host is free

Ready to wake up that spare PC?

Create an account, connect your Windows 10/11 or Linux computer, and launch from the browser.

Start with MinecraftRead setup guide