Euro Truck Simulator 2 has three ways to drive with other people, and they are easy to mix up. This guide explains how Convoy, TruckersMP, and a dedicated server each work, and when it is worth renting a server of your own.
Convoy: the built-in multiplayer
Since update 1.41, Euro Truck Simulator 2 ships with a free multiplayer mode called Convoy. One player hosts a session and up to 8 drivers share the same map, traffic, and time of day. It needs no mods and no extra account. The catch is that Convoy is peer-hosted: the session only exists while the host has the game open, so when they log off, the world is gone.
TruckersMP: the community mod
TruckersMP is a free third-party mod that runs its own large public servers, where thousands of players drive together on shared routes. It is by far the biggest Euro Truck Simulator 2 multiplayer community. Because TruckersMP runs its own infrastructure, you cannot rent or self-host a TruckersMP server: you download the launcher, sign in, and join a public server. It is great for busy public roads, but you do not get a private world that is only yours.
Dedicated servers: your own always-on Convoy
A dedicated server runs the same official Convoy mode, but on a machine that stays online around the clock. That is the one thing peer-hosted Convoy and TruckersMP cannot give you: a private session for your group that stays up when nobody is playing, so anyone can jump in at any time and pick up where they left off. It still supports up to 8 drivers, and nobody has to leave their PC running to keep it alive.
When is a dedicated server worth it?
Rent a dedicated server if:
- You run a regular convoy with friends or a Virtual Trucking Company and want it always available.
- You want a private world with your own rules, not a busy public server.
- You are tired of one person having to host, and losing the session when they leave.
If you just want to drive with a friend now and then, free Convoy is enough. If you want a persistent home base for your group, a dedicated server is the upgrade.
How to set up your own server
Getting started takes a few minutes. A vanilla server boots on the default map with no setup, and if you want specific map DLCs or mods, one player exports a small package file from their own game and uploads it. Our step-by-step Euro Truck Simulator 2 setup guide walks through the whole process.
When you are ready, see plans on our Euro Truck Simulator 2 server hosting page. Every server runs on Ryzen 9 hardware with full FTP access, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support.
