VC ServersFirst: rent or host it yourself?
- Rent one if you want it working in a few minutes, don't want to deal with ports or updates, or need more than 32 slots.
- Host it yourself if you have a PC or server that's always on (a cheap VPS works great) and you're fine with a bit of setup. It's free for up to 32 people at once.
Option 1: rent a server
A TeamSpeak host gives you a ready server and a control panel to change slots, restart it and make backups. Pick a location close to your members for the lowest ping.
See TeamSpeak servers at ZAP-Hosting
Partner link: if you buy through it, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep VC Servers free.
Once it's set up, your host shows you the address and an admin key (also called a privilege key or token). Skip to Become admin.
Option 2: host it yourself (free, up to 32 people)
TeamSpeak's own server software is free to run for up to 32 people at a time (TeamSpeak 3 for good, TeamSpeak 6 with its free beta license). You need a machine that stays on and these ports open (forwarded on your router, or allowed in your VPS firewall):
- 9987 UDP for voice (this is the one people connect to)
- 30033 TCP for file transfers like avatars and icons
- 10080 TCP (optional) for the WebQuery, which you need for the Verified badge and live user count on VC Servers
TeamSpeak 6 server (newest)
The easiest way is Docker. TeamSpeak publishes an official image, teamspeaksystems/teamspeak6-server. Start it with the voice and file ports open and the setting TSSERVER_LICENSE_ACCEPTED=accept, which means you accept TeamSpeak's license. The TeamSpeak 6 server is still in beta: it comes with a free 32-slot license that gets renewed every couple of months during the beta, so keep it updated.
TeamSpeak 3 server (classic)
Download the server for your system from teamspeak.com, accept the license and start it. TeamSpeak 6 and 5 apps can join TeamSpeak 3 servers too, so it still works for people on the new app.
Not sure which to pick? If your friends already use TeamSpeak 3, run a TeamSpeak 3 server. If everyone is starting fresh, try TeamSpeak 6.
Become admin
The very first time the server starts, it prints an admin privilege key (a long token) in its log or console. If you rented, it's in your host's panel. Connect to your server in TeamSpeak, then use the key (TeamSpeak 3: Permissions, Use Privilege Key; TeamSpeak 6 has a similar option for the privilege key). You're now Server Admin.
Lost it? A self-hosted server only shows it on the first start with fresh data. Rented servers can usually make a new one in the panel.
Set it up in 10 minutes
- Channels: a lobby, one or two chill rooms, game rooms, and an AFK channel. Fewer is better at the start.
- Ranks: give your trusted people a moderator group instead of admin.
- Welcome message: say what the server is about and where the rules are.
- Banner: list your server here and use the free live banner from your Share kit. It shows your online count and updates by itself.
Bringing people over from Discord
- Keep your Discord. Lots of communities use Discord for text and announcements and TeamSpeak for voice. You don't have to choose.
- Make joining one click. Post your short join link (from your Share kit) in your Discord announcements and pin it. It opens TeamSpeak and connects straight to your server.
- Pick a TeamSpeak night. Moving everyone at once works better than asking people to drift over.
- Mention the why: clear, low-delay voice, and you control the server and your data.
Get people to find it
List it on VC Servers. It's free, we check every few minutes that it's online, and people can vote and bump it to keep it near the top.