There is no permanent, officially hosted free server for Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2). You can still play multiplayer without paying a hosting bill in three practical ways: join the free TruckersMP network, run SCS Software’s free Convoy dedicated-server software on your own computer, or use a short third-party trial. A rented server that stays online 24/7 normally requires a monthly payment.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Euro Truck Simulator 2 servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
For a private group, self-hosting is the only official no-hosting-fee route. The current SCS Modding Wiki documents an eight-player limit, default connection and query ports, and the networking settings needed to make a server discoverable. TruckersMP is free to join but cannot be self-hosted or rented by players.
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Search results often mix together three different things: a free multiplayer service, free server software, and a free trial from a commercial host. They have different limits and obligations.
| Option | What costs nothing | What you control | Availability and limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| TruckersMP | Joining the community mod and its servers | Your game and in-game activity, not the server | Use TruckersMP’s infrastructure; you cannot create or rent a TruckersMP server |
| SCS Convoy dedicated server on your PC | The dedicated-server software | Server settings, access and schedule | Your computer and internet connection must remain available; the official session limit is eight players |
| Third-party free trial | Hosting for a limited promotional period | Usually the control panel and settings offered by the host | Ends when the trial expires; terms and duration change |
| Paid dedicated host | Nothing beyond any advertised trial | Hosted server rather than your home machine | Normally available 24/7 while the subscription is paid |
Therefore, “free” can mean free access to someone else’s servers, free software that uses your own hardware, or temporary credit from a host. It does not mean a permanently maintained, official cloud server at no cost.
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Option 1: play on TruckersMP for free
TruckersMP is a community multiplayer modification with servers operated by TruckersMP. It is free to join, but it is not an SCS-operated service. A hosting knowledge-base description states that TruckersMP “runs its own servers” and is “in no way affiliated with or supported by SCS Software.”
What you can do
- Install the TruckersMP client and create the required community account.
- Launch the TruckersMP client rather than the standard single-player executable.
- Choose a TruckersMP server from its browser and meet your friends there.
This is the simplest answer to “how can I play ETS2 with friends for free?” when you do not need a private server or custom server ownership. The community infrastructure handles the hosting bill and uptime.
What you cannot do
Players cannot download TruckersMP’s server software, run it at home, or rent an instance from a hosting company. If you need a private session whose settings and availability you control, use SCS’s Convoy dedicated server instead.
Option 2: self-host SCS’s Convoy dedicated server
SCS’s current Modding Wiki documents a dedicated server for Convoy sessions. The software itself is free; your real costs are the computer’s electricity, your internet service and any hardware you choose to use. This is the closest match to an “ETS2 dedicated server free” setup.
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Before you start
- A computer capable of running the dedicated-server software continuously for the periods your group wants to play.
- A stable internet connection. A server that stops when the computer sleeps, reboots or loses connectivity is not continuously available.
- Access to your router if you want the session listed publicly. Port forwarding is not needed for every private arrangement, as explained below.
- A separate logon token for each server instance. Running two instances requires two tokens and separate ports.
- Confirm the game and content requirements for everyone in your group. A provider’s marketing copy says players need to own the game and matching map DLC, but that requirement is not independently established by the primary documentation cited here; verify compatibility for your particular session.
Setup procedure
- Obtain the dedicated-server files. Follow the current SCS Modding Wiki documentation for the Convoy dedicated server rather than relying on the old 2021 FAQ. That FAQ said a dedicated server was not yet available; the current wiki now documents one.
- Create the server’s logon token. Treat the token as belonging to that instance. Do not reuse one token across multiple instances if you expect them to run independently.
- Open the configuration file. Set the session name, access options and player limit appropriate for your group. The official sample includes this line:
max_players: 8 // Maximum players in session, limit is 8 players. - Keep the documented ports available. The sample configuration uses connection port
27015and query port27016by default. If another application already occupies either port, change the server’s ports and make the corresponding router and firewall changes. - Decide whether the session should be public. For a session that appears in the browser, configure a public IP or forward the required ports from your router to the server computer. For a private group behind NAT, share the session ID directly; direct search by session ID can work even when the server is not publicly listed.
- Start the server and test locally. Watch the server log for token, port or configuration errors. Join with one client before inviting the whole group so you can catch networking problems without disrupting everyone.
- Share the joining details. Give friends the server name and browser information for a public listing, or the session ID for a private connection. Keep the host computer awake and the server process running for the entire play period.
Public listing versus a private session ID
These are separate networking goals. A public listing requires a reachable public IP address or correctly configured port forwarding, plus firewall rules that allow the server traffic. A private session can avoid public listing: friends can search for the session ID while the host remains behind NAT. The latter is convenient for a closed group, but it does not turn the server into a publicly discoverable service.
Running more than one instance
Each instance needs its own logon token and its own ports. Assigning the same connection or query port to two processes produces a conflict, so plan a distinct port pair for every additional server and update any forwarding rules accordingly.
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The official sample configuration sets the Convoy maximum at eight players. That is the supported limit documented by SCS’s Modding Wiki, not merely a default that can be raised through a normal menu.
Community reports describe an experimental workaround that changes the client setting to:
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uset g_max_convoy_size "128"The same reports refer to a server-side config_ds.cfg change. This is not documented or supported by SCS. It can stop working after a game update, create compatibility problems, or produce an unstable session. Treat 128 as an unverified community experiment, not as a supported capacity promise; plan a normal self-hosted session around eight players.
Free trials from hosting companies
Some commercial hosts offer a trial instead of a permanently free server. A trial can be useful when you want to test a control panel, compare latency with your home connection, or run a one-off event without exposing your home network. Read the expiry, renewal and data-retention terms before creating the server.
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- Duration is variable. Trial length, eligibility and required payment details can change, so check the host’s current terms.
- Configuration may be restricted. A trial may limit locations, player slots, CPU time or restart controls.
- Migration may require planning. Export the configuration and any save data you are allowed to keep before the trial expires.
A hosted server can remain online while your own PC is shut down, but that convenience is normally paid. One provider advertises dedicated Convoy servers from £2.48 per month; the advertised starting price is subject to change and should not be treated as a universal market rate.
Which free route fits your group?
| Your priority | Best fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You want to join friends quickly and do not need a private server | TruckersMP | No hosting setup or home-server maintenance; you use the community’s infrastructure |
| You want a private session and can leave a PC online | SCS Convoy dedicated server | No hosting subscription and direct control of the configuration |
| You need the server online while your PC is off | Paid hosting | Hosted hardware supplies the uptime, but it is not permanently free |
| You want to test hosted performance before paying | Third-party trial | Useful for evaluation, but it expires |
| You need more than eight players | No officially supported free option identified here | The documented SCS limit is eight; the 128-player method is unsupported |
Self-hosting also exposes your home IP address to people who connect. That exposure is noted in hosting-provider descriptions and is not independently verified here, but it is a practical privacy consideration when choosing between home hosting and a paid provider.
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Troubleshooting a free self-hosted server
The server does not appear in the browser
Check that the host has a public IP or that the router forwards the documented connection and query ports to the correct computer. Confirm the operating system firewall allows the server process. If you do not need public discovery, test by sending friends the session ID instead.
Friends cannot connect by session ID
Verify that the server process is still running, the session ID was copied accurately, and the host did not change networks. Check the server log for a token or port error, then test with one friend before changing several settings at once.
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The server fails to start
Look for a duplicate port assignment, an invalid configuration entry or a missing/invalid logon token. If you operate multiple instances, confirm that every one has a unique token and port pair.
The group exceeds eight players
The supported configuration cannot accommodate more than eight. Splitting the group across sessions is the reliable solution. The reported 128-player edit is unsupported and may break after updates, so do not depend on it for an event.
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The server disappears during play
Because the server runs on your hardware, sleep mode, a reboot, a power outage or an internet interruption ends the session. Disable automatic sleep for the hosting period, monitor the process and tell players that the session’s uptime depends on the host computer.
What changed since the original Convoy FAQ?
SCS’s 2021 Convoy FAQ recorded an eight-player limit and said a dedicated server was not yet available. That statement describes the situation at the time it was published, not the current tooling. The newer SCS Modding Wiki documentation now includes a dedicated-server configuration and confirms the eight-player maximum. When instructions conflict, use the current wiki and check its revision status rather than following the older FAQ.
Bottom line for free ETS2 multiplayer
Choose TruckersMP when you simply want free multiplayer on infrastructure you do not control. Choose the SCS Convoy dedicated server when you want a private group and can provide the computer, connection and maintenance yourself. Free trials are temporary, and a 24/7 hosted server becomes a paid service after the trial. For an officially supported self-hosted setup, configure the documented ports and token, plan for eight players, and use a session ID when public listing or port forwarding is not practical.
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