How to Host a Palworld Dedicated Server

Two ways to run a Palworld dedicated server — self-host free with SteamCMD or use managed hosting. Real requirements, port setup, the config that matters, and how to decide which path is right for you.

Last updated: 2026-05-25

How to Host a Palworld Dedicated Server

A dedicated server lets your group play together on a persistent world that stays online even when you log off — unlike co-op invites, which die the moment the host quits. There are two honest ways to get one: run it yourself for free, or pay for managed hosting. This guide covers both and helps you pick.

Already know you want managed hosting? Jump to the Best Palworld Server Hosting comparison.

What you actually need

Palworld dedicated servers support a maximum of 32 players, and the resource demand scales mostly with player count. These are realistic 2026 figures, not the optimistic minimums:

PlayersRAMNotes
Up to 4 (friends)8 GBFine for a small co-op world
~8 (small community)16 GB16 GB is the comfortable baseline
14–2016 GB4+ CPU cores, NVMe storage strongly preferred
Up to 3216 GB min, 32 GB recommendedHeadroom for Palworld's memory leak (see below)

CPU single-thread performance matters more than core count for Palworld, and an NVMe/SSD drive noticeably reduces world-save stutter.

The memory-leak caveat: Palworld's server process is known to climb in memory usage the longer it runs. Whichever path you choose, schedule a daily restart during low-population hours — it's the single most effective thing you can do for stability.

Path A — Self-host for free with SteamCMD

If you have a spare PC (or a home machine that can stay on), you can run the server yourself at no cost beyond electricity. The tradeoff is you handle networking, updates, restarts, and uptime.

1) Install the server files

Install SteamCMD, then pull the dedicated server app. Palworld's dedicated server Steam app ID is 2394010:

login anonymous
app_update 2394010 validate

Run the same app_update command again whenever you need to update the server after a game patch.

2) Open the network port

Palworld uses UDP port 8211 by default. Forward that port on your router to the machine running the server, and allow it through the local firewall. Without this, friends outside your network can't connect.

3) Configure the world

Edit PalWorldSettings.ini (the path varies by OS/build) to set the server name, password, player cap, and difficulty/rate knobs — XP rate, capture rate, day length, and so on. This file is where you tune the experience; defaults are playable but worth reviewing.

4) Keep it healthy

Set up a scheduled restart (Task Scheduler on Windows, a cron job on Linux). On Linux, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is the most compatible base for the Steam libraries.

Self-host is right when: you have spare hardware, a stable connection with an open port, and you don't mind being the admin. It struggles when: your upload bandwidth is limited, your IP changes, or you want 24/7 uptime without babysitting.

Path B — Managed hosting

Managed hosts run the server on their hardware in a datacenter. You get a web control panel, one-click updates, DDoS protection, automated backups and restarts, and a location close to your players — without touching SteamCMD or your router. You pay monthly for it, typically scaling with player slots.

This is the right call if you want reliable 24/7 uptime, players spread across regions, or simply don't want to be the sysadmin. A small Palworld plan generally runs a few dollars a month; see the hosting comparison for honest per-provider breakdowns.

One provider we cover in depth is Supercraft, which offers Palworld plans across multiple regions with DDoS protection and a short money-back window — see how it stacks up against Shockbyte, Apex, Nitrado, and GPORTAL on the comparison page.

Self-host vs paid: the honest decision

Choose self-hosting if cost is the priority, your group is small, and you have capable hardware plus a controllable network. Choose managed hosting if uptime, low latency for distant players, and not-being-the-admin are worth a few dollars a month to you. There's no wrong answer — it depends on what your time and reliability are worth.

Common problems

Friends can't connect even though the server is running — almost always UDP 8211 isn't forwarded, or it's blocked by the firewall. Performance degrades after hours of play — that's the memory leak; add a scheduled restart. The server won't launch after a game update — re-run app_update 2394010 validate to repair the files.