Game info
How do you host a Palworld server?
Answer
The simplest option is hosting a co-op session from your own world, which lets friends join while you play. For a world that stays online when you log off, run the dedicated server tool available on PC, or rent a server from a hosting provider. Dedicated servers support larger player counts and editable settings.
Quick answer
Pick the hosting model that matches your group. Small group, casual play: host a co-op session in-game. Persistent world: run the PC dedicated server tool or rent one from a provider.
The three options compared
| Option | Stays online | Player count | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-game co-op session | Only while the host plays | Small group | None |
| Self-hosted dedicated server | Yes, while your machine runs | Larger | Moderate |
| Rented server | Yes, always | Larger | Low, but paid |
Self-hosting on PC
The dedicated server application is distributed alongside the PC version. In broad strokes:
- Install the dedicated server tool.
- Edit the server settings file to set the name, password, player cap and any rate multipliers you want.
- Open the required ports on your router and firewall, or use the provider's panel if renting.
- Launch the server and connect by entering its address in the game's multiplayer menu.
Keep automatic backups of the save directory. World corruption is rare but expensive when it happens, and a nightly copy costs nothing.
Performance expectations
A server simulates every player's bases and Pals at once, so both the player count and the total number of base Pals drive load. If a server feels sluggish, trimming excess base Pals and decorative structures usually helps more than raising the player cap ever hurt.
Playing together well
Shared servers are where breeding planning pays off most, because one player can run a dedicated breeding base for the whole group. Work out the pairs with the breeding calculator, share the combinations list, and mark alpha bosses on the interactive map before a group hunt.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a dedicated server to play with friends?
- No. In-game co-op is enough for a small group, but the world only exists while the host is playing.
- Can console players host a dedicated server?
- Self-hosted dedicated servers are a PC feature; console players use in-game co-op or a compatible rented host.
- Can you move a single-player world onto a server?
- Save transfers are possible but fiddly and version-sensitive; back up your saves before attempting one.