Homerun Desktop runs Terraria's dedicated server on your Windows PC, so the world stays up when you're not in it. No port forwarding and no router settings. $1.99 a month, or every game with Premium.
Open the Homerun Desktop installer from your downloads.
If Windows says "Windows protected your PC", check the publisher is Ethereal Network Sciences PBC, then choose More info and Run anyway.
Pick Terraria, press Start, and send your friends the address.
Who can join: friends playing Terraria on PC, from Steam or GOG. Phone and console players can't join yet.
ONLINE
PlayStop
Terra FirmaTerraria 1.4.5 · Large world, Expert · on This device
0:48:023 of 8 playing
Hostterraria.gethomerun.appPort26117Share invite
MEMORY1.1 of 2 GB
CPU9% of this PC
GATEWAY PING28 ms · us-east
Two things to type, on two screens
Terraria asks for the address and the port separately. Friends on Steam can skip both.
What you send
terraria.gethomerun.appAddress
26117Port
Copy both from Homerun Desktop. Their game has to be on the same Terraria version as the server, which you pick when you create it.
Where they paste it
In Terraria: Multiplayer, then Join via IP. Type the address and press Accept, then the port on the next screen.
Friends on Steam can press Play in your invite instead, and Terraria connects for them.
Host & Play, or a dedicated server
Terraria's Host & Play is free and fine while you're in the game. A dedicated server is for a world friends can drop into without you.
Swipe to see the rest
Feature
On your PC
Host & PlayBuilt into Terraria
When you quit
The world stays up while your PC is on
The world closes for everyone
How friends join
Play in their invite, or Join via IP with your address
Join via Steam from your friends list, or your IP
Router settings
None
Port 7777 forwarded for anyone joining by IP
Your IP
Stays private
Shared with anyone joining by IP
After a Terraria update
You pick the version, and friends match it
Everyone plays the latest
Cost
$1.99 a month
Free
Terraria is $1.99 a month, or every game with Premium for $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year. Minecraft stays free. Plans are bought inside Homerun Desktop, with no free trial, so nothing charges you later.
What's the difference between a dedicated server and Host & Play?
Host & Play runs the world inside your game, so it closes when you quit. A dedicated server runs on its own, so friends can play in the world while you're away, as long as your PC is on.
Do I need to port forward for a Terraria server?
No. Homerun Desktop gives your server a public address through its gateway, so nothing changes on your router. The 7777 port in most guides is for servers set up by hand.
How do my friends join?
Multiplayer, then Join via IP, then pick a character. They type the address and press Accept, then the port on the next screen, then the password if you set one. Friends on Steam can press Play in the invite instead, and Terraria connects for them.
Friends are stuck on "Found server" or get a version error. What now?
Their Terraria has to be on the same version as the server. Check the version on your server card in Homerun Desktop, and have them update or switch to it on Steam. Then check they typed the port from your card, not 7777.
Can phone or console players join?
Not yet. Terraria on phones and consoles can't join a PC server, so your server is for friends on PC, from Steam or GOG.
Can I use tModLoader or TShock?
Not yet. Servers run Re-Logic's own Terraria server. If your group wants mods now, Minecraft on Homerun Desktop runs any Modrinth modpack for free.
Can I bring my existing world?
Not yet. A new server starts a new world, with the size, difficulty and version you pick when you create it.
Do Journey mode powers work on a server?
Yes, on a Journey world. The powers apply to everyone on the server, so settle on who changes the time and the difficulty.
Does my PC have to stay on?
While you want the world online, yes. Terraria's server is light, so it runs in the tray while you play other games on the same PC.
How much does it cost?
Terraria is $1.99 a month in Homerun Desktop. Premium is $7.99 a month and adds Palworld, Valheim and Hytale, and Minecraft is free.
