Is your Palworld world lagging every time the whole group logs in? You are not alone, and the fix is usually picking the best Palworld dedicated server for your group size rather than the cheapest one. A dedicated server for Palworld is notoriously demanding; it leans hard on single-thread CPU performance and can choke on underpowered shared hardware, which makes the hosting provider you pick matter more here than it does for lighter games. A host that’s perfectly fine for a small Valheim server can still struggle to keep a 20+ player Palworld world running smoothly during a big base-building session.
This list covers the seven best Palworld server hosting providers, hosts that are genuinely built to handle that load, not just generic game-server panels with Palworld bolted on as an afterthought. Every price and feature below comes straight from each provider’s own current pricing page, and the differences between them are real enough to actually change which one you should pick depending on your player count and priorities.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which of these seven fits your Palworld server, not just which one has the flashiest homepage.
Table of Contents
- What You're Actually Buying (Before You Pull Out Your Card)
- What Actually Matters in Palworld Server Hosting
- Palworld Server Requirements: RAM, CPU & Storage
- 7 Best Palworld Dedicated Server Hosting Providers in 2026
- 1. Apex Hosting – Best for Hand-Holding Support
- 2. GravelHost – Best for Instant Setup
- 3. Shockbyte – Best Overall Value
- 4. BisectHosting – Best Global Network
- 5. HostHavoc – Best DDoS Protection
- 6. ScalaCube – Best for Global Server Locations
- 7. XGamingServer – Best for Raw Hardware Performance
- Best Palworld Server Hosting Compared
- Palworld Dedicated Server vs Co-op vs Self-Hosting
- How to Choose the Right Palworld Host
- How to Deploy a Palworld Dedicated Server in 2026 (Step by Step)
- How to Move Your Co-op World to a Dedicated Server
- Best Palworld Dedicated Server Settings
- Palworld Admin Commands Every Server Owner Needs
- Common Mistakes When Renting a Palworld Server
- Fixing Common Palworld Server Connection Problems
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict: Which Is the Best Palworld Dedicated Server Hosting for You?
What You’re Actually Buying (Before You Pull Out Your Card)
If this is your first time renting a game server, a few questions are probably running through your head right now, so let’s answer them directly before you commit to anything.
- Does my PC need to stay on for friends to play? No, that’s the entire point of a dedicated server, it runs on the host’s hardware 24/7, so your friends can play whether your own computer is on, off, or you’re asleep.
- Do I need to know Linux or run commands? Not with any host on this list, every one of them uses a web control panel where you start, stop, and configure the server with clicks, not a terminal. If you’re separately curious about running Linux on your own gaming PC rather than just the server, our guide to the best Linux distros for gaming covers that from scratch.
- Can I install mods later, or do I have to decide now? You can add or remove mods anytime after setup on all seven hosts here, it’s not a one-time choice locked in at purchase.
- What if I pick the wrong plan and need more RAM later? Every host here supports upgrading to a bigger plan without losing your world save, you’re not locked into your first choice.
- Will my Xbox and PS5 friends be able to join my Steam server? Yes, as long as crossplay is enabled in your server settings, which is worth double-checking at setup rather than assuming it’s on by default.
- What happens to my world if I cancel or switch hosts? Your save file is a portable file you can download and move to another host or your own PC, cancelling a plan doesn’t delete progress if you back it up first.
What Actually Matters in Palworld Server Hosting
Palworld hosting isn’t quite like shopping for a Minecraft or Valheim server, a few specific things matter more here than the usual checklist.
- Single-thread CPU performance: Palworld’s server process is CPU-bound in a way that punishes oversold, budget hardware badly once you cross 15-20 concurrent players.
- Uncapped or generous RAM: base-building and large multiplayer worlds can balloon memory usage well beyond what a casual host budgets for.
- Real mod support: Palworld’s modding scene is active and growing, and not every host makes installing and managing mods painless.
- Crossplay handling: Palworld supports Steam, Xbox, PS5, and Mac, and not every host configures this correctly out of the box.
Palworld Server Requirements: RAM, CPU & Storage
Palworld left Early Access with version 1.0 on July 10, 2026, adding the World Tree region and a second major island that roughly doubles the playable map, and it now runs on PC, PS5, and Xbox. A bigger world means bigger saves and more for the server to track, so plan your RAM with some headroom rather than at the bare minimum.
Before picking a plan on any host below, it helps to know what Pocketpair itself recommends for a dedicated Palworld server, since undersizing RAM specifically is the single most common reason a server starts crashing once a base gets big.
| Server Size | Recommended RAM | CPU Cores | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small private server (1-4 players) | 16 GB minimum | 4+ cores, high clock speed | 40-60 GB SSD |
| Growing community (5-15 players) | 24 GB recommended | 4+ cores, high clock speed | 60 GB+ SSD |
| Large public server (16-32 players) | 32 GB or more | 4+ cores, high clock speed | 80 GB+ SSD |
Two things matter more than they might seem. First, Pocketpair’s own server guide notes that 8GB can technically start a server but carries a real risk of crashing from insufficient memory, so treat 16GB as the true floor, not 8GB. Second, Palworld rewards CPU clock speed far more than core count, a 4-core CPU running at a high clock speed will comfortably outperform a 16-core server CPU with slower per-core speed, which is exactly why the hosts above are compared on Ryzen 9 and high-frequency hardware rather than raw core counts.
7 Best Palworld Dedicated Server Hosting Providers in 2026
Here are the 7 best Palworld server hosting providers we found, each checked on price, RAM, hardware, and support quality. Here’s the quick version before the full breakdown of each.
⏰ TL;DR
- Apex Hosting: Best for hand-holding support, dedicated Ryzen 9 cores on top tier
- GravelHost: Best for instant setup, a Palworld server live in about 60 seconds from $9/month
- Shockbyte: Best overall value, from $11.99/month with the best per-slot pricing at 32 players
- BisectHosting: Best global network, 21 worldwide locations with fast support response
- HostHavoc: Best DDoS protection, terabit-scale mitigation with sub-10-minute support
- ScalaCube: Best global server locations, 14 regions across 5 continents with a 7-day money-back guarantee
- XGamingServer: Best raw hardware performance, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X cores with full Steam-Xbox crossplay
1. Apex Hosting – Best for Hand-Holding Support

Pros
- Beginner-focused support team plus a large library of video tutorials
- Dedicated Ryzen 9 cores on the 16GB EX Series plan instead of shared vCPU
Cons
- Costs more than Shockbyte or BisectHosting at the same resource tier
- The dedicated-core 16GB plan runs $71.99/month
Summary
Apex Hosting is the most beginner-friendly Palworld host here, with step-by-step support, video tutorials, and dedicated Ryzen 9 cores on its 16GB EX Series plan.
Apex Hosting positions itself squarely as the beginner-friendly option, entry tiers start around $5-10/month, but the real reason people choose Apex is the support experience wrapped around the product, extensive video tutorials, a large public knowledge base, and a support team that’s genuinely good at walking non-technical players through server setup. The top-tier 16GB EX Series plan runs $71.99/month and includes dedicated Ryzen 9 cores rather than shared vCPU allocation, a meaningful difference for a CPU-hungry game like Palworld.
That support layer comes at a price premium compared to Shockbyte or BisectHosting at equivalent resource tiers, Apex is candid that you’re paying partly for the hand-holding, not just the hardware. A 72-hour refund window gives room to evaluate whether that trade-off is worth it for your group before committing to a longer term.
It’s the right pick specifically when your group includes people who’ve never run a game server before and would genuinely struggle without solid documentation and responsive support.
Key Features
- Dedicated Ryzen 9 Cores: The 16GB EX Series plan uses dedicated CPU cores rather than shared vCPU, a real advantage for Palworld specifically.
- Extensive Video Tutorials: A large public library of setup and troubleshooting guides aimed at non-technical players.
- Beginner-Focused Support Team: Support genuinely oriented around walking new server owners through setup step by step.
- 72-Hour Refund Window: Enough time to test the server and support quality before committing further.
- Wide Plan Range: Entry tiers from roughly $5-10/month scaling up to $71.99/month for the dedicated-core top tier.
- Full Mod Support: Mod installation and management handled through the same panel as core server settings.
Available Data Center Network
Multiple US and European locations (exact list varies by game and plan tier, confirm current options at signup).
Type of Support Apex Hosting Offers
24/7 support with an emphasis on tutorials and beginner-friendly guidance, plus live chat and tickets.
Plans
| Plan | RAM | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Tier | ~2-4GB | $5-10/month |
| 16GB EX Series | 16GB, dedicated Ryzen 9 | $71.99/month |
- Best for: Groups with non-technical players who need genuine hand-holding, not just a working server.
2. GravelHost – Best for Instant Setup

Pros
- Palworld server deploys in about 60 seconds, with mod support and full file access
- Clear plans from 4 to 32 players, with unlimited NVMe storage and DDoS protection on every tier
Cons
- Plans use DDR4 RAM, while some rivals here run DDR5
- Regions are listed broadly (NA, EU, Asia, Australia), so confirm the exact city before you buy
Summary
GravelHost deploys a Palworld dedicated server in about 60 seconds, from $9/month for 4 players up to $23.49/month for a full 32-player world, with mod support, full file access, and DDoS protection included.
Price: USD 9.00 Per month, Chikipi plan (4 players, 4GB RAM)
Visit GravelHostWant to be in your world tonight, not after an evening of configuration? GravelHost deploys a Palworld dedicated server in about 60 seconds, and its plans are named after Pals so you can pick by group size at a glance: Chikipi for 4 players at $9/month, Caprity for 12 players at $13.49/month, Anubis for 20 players at $18/month, and Alpha Mammorest for a full 32-player world at $23.49/month.
Every plan includes unlimited NVMe storage, mod support, full file access, and DDoS protection, so you can edit PalWorldSettings.ini, upload mods, or import an existing world without opening a ticket. Servers are available across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
GravelHost also runs servers for 52+ other games and sells VPS hosting, which is handy if your group rotates between survival titles or later wants a community website on the same account. RAM steps up with each plan, from 4GB on Chikipi to 10GB on Alpha Mammorest, so pick the tier for where your base will be in a month, not just today.
Key Features
- 60-Second Deployment: Your Palworld server is ready to join about a minute after checkout.
- Plans for Every Group Size: 4, 12, 20, and 32 player tiers with RAM that scales from 4GB to 10GB.
- Unlimited NVMe Storage: No storage cap on any plan, useful as saves and backups grow.
- Full File Access and Mod Support: Edit server config files and install mods directly.
- DDoS Protection Included: Standard on every plan, not an add-on.
- 52+ Games and VPS on One Account: Switch titles or add a VPS without changing provider.
Available Data Center Network
North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Confirm the specific city closest to your players at checkout.
Plans
| Plan | Player Slots | RAM | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chikipi | 4 | 4GB DDR4 | $9.00/month |
| Caprity | 12 | 6GB DDR4 | $13.49/month |
| Anubis | 20 | 8GB DDR4 | $18.00/month |
| Alpha Mammorest | 32 | 10GB DDR4 | $23.49/month |
- Best for: Groups who want their Palworld world live in a minute, with simple player-based plans and full file access for mods and world imports.
3. Shockbyte – Best Overall Value

Pros
- Roughly $0.84 per slot on the 32-player Grizzbolt plan
- Unlimited NVMe, unlimited bandwidth, and DDoS protection on every plan
Cons
- Pricing is per-slot tier, so small groups still start at $11.99
- Refund window is 72 hours
Summary
Shockbyte offers the best per-player value for Palworld, from $11.99/month for 8 slots to $19.98/month for 32 slots, with unlimited NVMe and DDoS protection included.
Price: USD 11.99 Per month, Lamball plan (8 slots)
Visit ShockbyteShockbyte is one of the most recognizable names in game server hosting, and its Palworld plans are priced specifically to reward larger player counts, the Lamball tier starts at $11.99/month for 8 slots, scaling up to the Grizzbolt tier at $19.98/month for a full 32 slots, working out to roughly $0.84 per slot at the top end, among the best per-player value on this list. Every plan includes unlimited NVMe storage, unlimited bandwidth, and DDoS protection as standard, not an upsell.
Infrastructure-wise, Shockbyte runs 12+ data center locations spanning multiple US regions, Europe, and Asia-Pacific (including India and Singapore), so latency is rarely the bottleneck regardless of where your player base is concentrated. Mod support is broad and well-documented, which matters given how active Palworld’s modding community already is, and setup is instant with no manual server-file wrangling required.
A 72-hour self-serve refund window means you can actually stress-test the server with real players before committing further.
Key Features
- Best Per-Slot Pricing: Roughly $0.84/slot at the 32-player Grizzbolt tier, among the cheapest per-player rates in this comparison.
- 12+ Global Locations: Coverage across the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific including India and Singapore for low latency almost anywhere.
- Unlimited NVMe & Bandwidth: No storage or bandwidth caps on any plan tier, standard rather than a paid add-on.
- DDoS Protection Included: Built into every plan by default, not an upsell reserved for higher tiers.
- Broad Mod Support: Well-documented mod installation, useful given Palworld’s active and growing mod scene.
- Instant Setup: Servers are ready to play on immediately after purchase, no manual configuration required.
- 72-Hour Refund Window: Enough time to stress-test with real players before committing further.
Available Data Center Network
12+ locations across the US (Virginia, Florida, California, Texas, Oregon, Quebec), Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, UK), and Asia-Pacific (India, Singapore, Australia).
Type of Support Shockbyte Offers
24/7 live chat and ticket support.
Plans
| Plan | Player Slots | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lamball | 8 slots | $11.99/month |
| Grizzbolt | 32 slots | $19.98/month |
- Best for: Larger Palworld groups who want the lowest realistic per-slot cost without giving up DDoS protection or global reach.
4. BisectHosting – Best Global Network

Pros
- 21 worldwide locations, the widest network on this list
- Fast live chat support, with free backups and crossplay included
Cons
- The multi-game panel is more than a single-game group needs
- Check RAM per plan at checkout, slots alone do not tell you performance
Summary
BisectHosting runs Palworld on NVMe and modern Ryzen CPUs across 21 locations, from $11.99/month with 32 slots, crossplay, DDoS protection, and free backups.
Price: USD 11.99 Per month, 32 player slots
Visit BisectHostingBisectHosting runs Palworld servers on NVMe SSDs and modern Ryzen CPUs across 21 worldwide locations, easily the widest geographic footprint on this list, which matters if your player base is spread across continents rather than concentrated in one region. Plans start from $11.99/month with full 32-player slots, crossplay support, DDoS protection, and free backups included rather than gated behind a higher tier.
Support quality is a genuine differentiator here, Trustpilot reviews consistently highlight 5-10 minute average response times on live chat, and the company backs that up with a documented average wait time under 15 minutes even during peak hours. The control panel also supports running multiple server instances and swapping between 110+ supported titles with a single click.
A strong pick specifically when your group is geographically spread out and fast support response matters as much as raw server performance.
Key Features
- 21 Global Locations: The widest geographic footprint on this list, useful for spread-out or international player groups.
- NVMe + Modern Ryzen Hardware: Fast storage and strong single-thread performance suited to Palworld’s CPU demands.
- Fast Support Response: Trustpilot-verified 5-10 minute average live chat response times.
- Multi-Instance Panel: Run and swap between 110+ supported game titles from a single control panel.
- Free Backups Included: Backup scheduling included standard, not gated behind a premium tier.
- Full Crossplay Support: Steam, Xbox, PS5, and Mac players can join the same server without extra configuration.
Available Data Center Network
21 worldwide locations spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond.
Type of Support BisectHosting Offers
24/7 live chat and ticket support, averaging 5-10 minute response times.
Plans
| Plan | Player Slots | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Tier | Up to 32 slots | $11.99/month |
- Best for: Geographically spread-out groups who want fast support alongside strong global coverage.
5. HostHavoc – Best DDoS Protection

Pros
- Terabit-scale DDoS protection with 3,000+ attacks mitigated since 2013
- Own-built Ryzen 5950X and 7950X hardware with sub-10-minute support
Cons
- The $12 entry plan covers only 4 slots
- 13 locations, fewer than BisectHosting or ScalaCube
Summary
HostHavoc runs Palworld on its own Ryzen hardware with terabit-scale DDoS protection and sub-10-minute support, from $12/month for 4 slots.
Price: USD 12.00 Per month, 4 player slots
Visit HostHavocHostHavoc builds and owns its own hardware rather than leasing from a third-party data center, running AMD Ryzen 5950X and 7950X processors paired with enterprise NVMe SSDs, and backs every plan with DDoS protection that is genuinely differentiated rather than a generic checkbox. Plans start at $12/month for a 4-slot server, scaling up through 32 slots depending on your group size.
The DDoS protection specifically is worth calling out, a multi-tiered, terabit-scale mitigation platform that has absorbed 3,000+ attacks across 35+ attack types since 2013, a real track record rather than a marketing line. Support backs that up with a documented average response time under 10 minutes, and every plan is covered by a 72-hour money-back guarantee.
The right choice specifically if your group has been hit by attacks before, or you just don’t want to find out the hard way what your host’s DDoS protection actually covers.
Key Features
- Terabit-Scale DDoS Protection: A multi-tiered mitigation platform defending against 35+ attack types, with 3,000+ attacks mitigated since 2013.
- Own-Built Ryzen Hardware: AMD Ryzen 5950X and 7950X processors on hardware HostHavoc builds and owns itself.
- 13 Global Data Centers: Coverage across North America, Europe, and Australia/Asia-Pacific for low-latency play almost anywhere.
- Sub-10-Minute Support Response: A documented average response time, not just a marketing claim.
- Automated World Backups: Scheduled backups included standard, reducing the risk of losing progress to a crash.
- Full FTP + PalWorldSettings.ini Access: Edit every server setting directly, from capture probability to day/night length.
- Built-In CurseForge Mod Manager: One-click CurseForge installs, plus manual Steam Workshop uploads via the file manager.
Available Data Center Network
13 locations: Montreal, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago (North America), London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt (Europe), and Sydney and Singapore (Australia/Asia-Pacific).
Type of Support HostHavoc Offers
24/7 support with a documented average response time under 10 minutes.
Plans
| Plan | Player Slots | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Palworld Server | 4-32 slots | From $12/month |
- Best for: Groups who want serious, DDoS-hardened infrastructure and fast support without paying premium prices.
6. ScalaCube – Best for Global Server Locations

Pros
- 14 regions including Brazil, Singapore, and India
- 7-day money-back guarantee, plus one panel for servers and billing
Cons
- Highest entry price on this list at $17.99/month
- The 32-player, 32GB tier costs $83.19/month
Summary
ScalaCube covers 14 regions worldwide with a 7-day money-back guarantee, starting at $17.99/month for a 6GB, 6-player Palworld server.
Price: USD 17.99 Per month, 6GB RAM and 6 players
Visit ScalaCubeScalaCube runs a genuinely global footprint, 14 regions spread across North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and India, which matters more for Palworld than most survival games since ping spikes translate directly into rubber-banding during base building and boss fights. Pricing scales by RAM and player slot together, starting at $17.99/month for a 6GB/6-player server and running up to $83.19/month for the full 32-player, 32GB tier, with 20% off the first month.
Server management and billing sit inside one Unified Control Panel instead of two separate logins, a small thing that stops being small once you’re juggling renewals across multiple game servers. Every plan includes SSD storage, DDoS protection, full mod support, and a free domain, and unlike most budget-tier hosts on this list, ScalaCube backs every plan with a 7-day money-back guarantee, not just a 24-72 hour window.
Choose this specifically if your player base is genuinely spread across continents, not just one country, or if a real money-back window matters more to you than the absolute lowest entry price.
Key Features
- 14 Global Regions: US (California, Washington D.C., Texas, Florida), Canada, UK, France, Germany, Poland, Finland, Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and India.
- Unified Control Panel: Server management and billing combined in one login instead of two separate systems.
- 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee: A longer, real refund window than most budget hosts on this list offer.
- Full Mod Support: Install and manage Palworld mods directly through the control panel.
- SSD Storage & DDoS Protection: Included on every tier, not sold as a paid add-on.
- Free Domain: A free domain is included with hosting plans.
Available Data Center Network
14 regions: multiple US locations (California, Washington D.C., Texas, Florida), Canada, Australia, UK, France, Germany, Poland, Finland, Brazil, Singapore, and India.
Type of Support ScalaCube Offers
24/7 support via ticket.
Plans
| Plan | Player Slots | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Tier | 6 players (6GB RAM) | $17.99/month |
| Mid Tier | 16 players (16GB RAM) | $41.59/month |
| Top Tier | 32 players (32GB RAM) | $83.19/month |
- Best for: Groups with players spread across multiple continents who want a real money-back guarantee.
7. XGamingServer – Best for Raw Hardware Performance

Pros
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X with DDR5 RAM and NVMe on every plan
- Documented Steam and Xbox crossplay support
Cons
- Mods are installed manually by uploading .pak files over SFTP
- 5 regions, fewer than most hosts here
Summary
XGamingServer puts every Palworld plan on Ryzen 9 7950X, DDR5, and NVMe hardware, from $7 to $60/month for up to 32 players, with Steam and Xbox crossplay.
Price: USD 7.00 Per month, entry player slots
Visit XGamingServerXGamingServer leans entirely on raw hardware, every plan runs on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X cores with DDR5 RAM and NVMe SSD storage, which is the combination that actually matters once a Palworld base grows large enough to bottleneck on single-thread CPU performance rather than RAM. Plans range from $7 to $60/month depending on player slots, up to 32 players, with instant activation once you pay.
It’s one of the few hosts on this list that explicitly documents full crossplay support between Steam and Xbox/Microsoft Store players, and mods are installed by uploading .pak files directly to the server’s mod folder over SFTP, no separate mod manager to fight with. The network runs on a 1 Gbps connection with DDoS protection built in across US East, US West, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.
Choose this specifically if your group is running a large, established base and needs genuine CPU headroom, or if mixed Steam and Xbox crossplay is a hard requirement.
Key Features
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X Cores: Top-tier single-thread performance for CPU-bound, late-game bases.
- DDR5 RAM & NVMe SSD: Faster memory and storage than the DDR4/SATA setups still common at this price point.
- Full Steam ↔ Xbox Crossplay: Documented support for mixed Steam and Xbox/Microsoft Store player groups.
- 1 Gbps Network with DDoS Protection: Included on every plan, not a paid upgrade.
- Mod Support via SFTP: Upload .pak mod files directly to the server’s mod folder.
- Instant Activation: Server is ready immediately after payment, no manual setup queue.
Available Data Center Network
US East, US West, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.
Type of Support XGamingServer Offers
24/7 technical support, with a 4.8/5 customer rating across roughly 1,250 reviews at the time of writing.
Plans
| Plan | Player Slots | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full Range | Up to 32 players | From $7/month |
- Best for: Large, established bases that need genuine CPU headroom and Steam-Xbox crossplay.
Best Palworld Server Hosting Compared
| Provider | Starting Price | Max Slots (Base Tier) | Data Centers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Hosting | $5-10/month | Varies by plan | Multiple US/EU | Hand-holding support |
| GravelHost | $9/month | 32 (Alpha Mammorest) | NA, EU, Asia, Australia | Instant setup |
| Shockbyte | $11.99/month | 32 (Grizzbolt tier) | 12+ | Best overall value |
| BisectHosting | $11.99/month | 32 | 21 | Best global network |
| HostHavoc | $12/month | 32 | 13 | Best DDoS protection |
| ScalaCube | $17.99/month | 32 | 14 | Best global server locations |
| XGamingServer | $7/month | 32 | 5 | Best raw hardware performance |
Palworld Dedicated Server vs Co-op vs Self-Hosting
Before you pay for anything, it is worth knowing the three ways to play Palworld with friends, because the best Palworld dedicated server is only the right answer once your group outgrows the free options.
| Option | Max Players | Online When Host Is Offline? | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-op (in-game invite) | 4 | No, the world closes when the host quits | Free | A few friends playing at the same time |
| Self-hosted dedicated server | Up to 32 | Only while your own PC or server stays on | Free software, you pay for hardware and power | Tech-savvy players with a spare machine |
| Rented dedicated server | Up to 32 | Yes, runs 24/7 | Monthly fee | Groups that play at different times or want a public server |
If your group is more than four people, plays on different schedules, or wants the world to keep running between sessions, a rented server is the simplest fix.
How to Choose the Right Palworld Host
None of these seven feel right? If you’d rather run Palworld on general-purpose infrastructure with full root access instead of a Palworld-specific panel, our Best Dedicated Server in USA guide covers raw bare-metal options built for exactly that kind of control.
- You want the lowest cost per player slot: Shockbyte’s per-slot pricing at the 32-slot tier is hard to beat.
- Your group has never run a server before: Apex Hosting’s tutorials and support are built for exactly this.
- You want to play tonight: GravelHost deploys a Palworld server in about 60 seconds with simple player-based plans.
- Your players are spread across continents: BisectHosting’s 21 locations and fast support cover this best.
- You want serious DDoS protection built in: HostHavoc’s terabit-scale mitigation platform is the strongest pick on this list.
- Your players are on different continents and you want a refund window: ScalaCube’s 14 regions and 7-day money-back guarantee cover this.
- Your base has outgrown lower-tier hardware: XGamingServer’s Ryzen 9 7950X cores give you real CPU headroom.
How to Deploy a Palworld Dedicated Server in 2026 (Step by Step)
With any host on this list, the actual setup takes minutes, not hours, because the provider handles the server installation for you rather than you running commands yourself. Here’s exactly what that process looks like.
Option 1: Deploy on a Palworld Server Host (Easiest)
- Pick a plan based on your player count, use the RAM table above as your guide, 16GB for a small group, 24-32GB if you expect a bigger, longer-running base.
- Complete checkout, most hosts auto-install the Palworld server software immediately after payment, no manual SteamCMD download required on your end.
- Open your host’s control panel and confirm the server has finished installing, this usually takes anywhere from under a minute to a few minutes depending on the host.
- Set your world options in the panel, difficulty, PvP on/off, and crossplay, specifically confirm crossplay is toggled on if your group plays across Steam, Xbox, or PS5.
- Start the server from the panel and copy the connection details it shows you, this will be an IP address and port, formatted like 123.456.789.0:8211.
- Connect from Palworld itself, open the game, select Join Multiplayer Game, find the Connect field at the bottom of the server browser, and paste in the IP and port from step 5.
- Invite your group by sharing that same IP and port, anyone on a supported platform with crossplay enabled can join the same way.
Option 2: How to Set Up a Palworld Server on a Dedicated Server
Prefer to run it yourself on a VPS, dedicated server, or spare PC? The Palworld dedicated server is a free download through SteamCMD (app ID 2394010) and runs on Windows or Linux. On an Ubuntu server the deployment looks like this:
- Get a server with enough RAM: 16GB is the practical floor, see the requirements table above.
- Install SteamCMD from your distribution’s package manager.
- Download the Palworld server files with the command below.
- Open UDP port 8211 in your firewall, and on your router if the server is at home.
- Start the server, then edit
PalWorldSettings.iniand restart to apply your settings.
# Download or update the Palworld dedicated server steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit # Allow game traffic sudo ufw allow 8211/udp # Start the server (default install path) cd ~/Steam/steamapps/common/PalServer ./PalServer.sh -port=8211 -players=32
Run the same SteamCMD command whenever Palworld updates, since clients cannot join a server on an older version. The trade-off is maintenance: you keep the machine running 24/7, handle crashes, updates, and backups yourself, and pay for the hardware. If that sounds like a chore, Option 1 is the better deal for most groups.
How to Move Your Co-op World to a Dedicated Server
Already have a world you love? You do not have to start over. Many hosts on this list offer a save import tool in their control panel, so check for that first. If yours does not, the manual method takes about ten minutes:
- Find your world on your PC. Open
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\, then your Steam ID folder. Each world is a folder with a long random name containingLevel.sav. - Stop the server in your host’s control panel so nothing overwrites the files mid-copy.
- Upload the world folder over FTP or the panel’s file manager into
Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/on the server. - Point the server at that world by setting
DedicatedServerNameinGameUserSettings.inito the world folder’s name. - Start the server and test it with one player before inviting everyone.
One catch: the co-op host’s own character is stored differently from guest characters, so the person who hosted the co-op world may need to create a new character or use a character fix tool after the move. Always keep a backup copy of the original world folder until everything works.
Best Palworld Dedicated Server Settings
Every Palworld server reads its rules from PalWorldSettings.ini, found in Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ (or WindowsServer/). Most hosts let you edit these from the panel, and the file starts as a copy of DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini. These are the settings groups change most often:
| Setting | What It Does | Common Choice |
|---|---|---|
ServerName / ServerPassword | Server name in the browser and the password to join | Set a password for private groups |
AdminPassword | Unlocks admin commands in game | Always set a strong one |
ServerPlayerMaxNum | Maximum players at once | Match your plan’s slot count |
ExpRate | XP multiplier | 1.5 to 2 for groups with less playtime |
PalCaptureRate | How easy Pals are to catch | 1.2 to 1.5 for casual servers |
DayTimeSpeedRate / NightTimeSpeedRate | Length of day and night | Slower nights if your group dislikes night raids |
DeathPenalty | What you drop on death: None, Item, ItemAndEquipment, or All | Item for a balanced server |
bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage | Turns PvP damage on or off | False for co-op style servers |
RCONEnabled / RCONPort | Remote admin access over RCON | Enable only if you use an RCON tool |
Change one or two values at a time and restart the server so the new settings load. A scheduled daily restart, which most hosts can automate, also keeps memory use in check on long-running worlds.
Palworld Admin Commands Every Server Owner Needs
Once AdminPassword is set, open chat in game and type /AdminPassword yourpassword to become admin. These are the commands you will actually use:
| Command | What It Does |
|---|---|
/ShowPlayers | Lists connected players with their IDs |
/KickPlayer {SteamID} | Removes a player from the server |
/BanPlayer {SteamID} | Bans a player from rejoining |
/Broadcast {Message} | Sends a message to everyone online |
/Save | Saves the world immediately |
/Shutdown {Seconds} {Message} | Shuts the server down after a countdown with a warning |
/TeleportToPlayer {SteamID} | Teleports you to a player |
/Info | Shows server information |
Run /Save before any restart or update, it is the cheapest insurance against losing progress.
Common Mistakes When Renting a Palworld Server
- Underestimating RAM needs as your base grows, large multiplayer worlds can consume far more memory than a casual host budgets for by default.
- Ignoring single-thread CPU specs and focusing only on core count, Palworld rewards high clock speed more than raw core count.
- Skipping the free trial when one is available, a short trial catches lag issues before you commit to a longer billing term.
- Assuming crossplay works by default across every host, confirm Steam/Xbox/PS5/Mac crossplay is actually configured correctly before inviting a mixed-platform group.
Fixing Common Palworld Server Connection Problems
If your server is running but players can’t connect, the cause is almost always one of a handful of well-known issues rather than something wrong with the host itself.
- Wrong port or protocol: Palworld dedicated servers use UDP port 8211 by default, confirm your host (or your own router, if self-hosting) has this open on UDP specifically, not TCP.
- Server browser not showing your world: this is usually a community server visibility setting rather than a broken server, double-check the public/community server toggle in your host’s panel.
- Crossplay players can’t join: confirm the host has crossplay explicitly enabled in the server config, it is not always on by default even on hosts that support it.
- Server crashes as the base grows: this is almost always a RAM ceiling being hit, not a bug, upgrade to the next tier rather than troubleshooting mods or settings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Palworld dedicated server host in 2026?
Shockbyte offers the best overall value with the strongest per-slot pricing at 32 players, but the right choice depends on your priorities, Apex Hosting for beginner support, GravelHost for 60-second setup, BisectHosting for global coverage, and HostHavoc for terabit-scale DDoS protection.
Is a Palworld dedicated server better than co-op hosting?
For anything beyond a small session, yes. Co-op play runs on the host player’s PC, caps the group at 4 players, and the world goes offline when that player quits. A dedicated server runs 24/7 on the host’s hardware, supports up to 32 players, and keeps your world online even when nobody from your group is playing.
How much does it cost to host a Palworld server?
Palworld server hosting typically ranges from about $5.96/month for a small entry-tier plan up to roughly $25/month for a full 32-player server, with premium dedicated-core plans like Apex Hosting’s EX Series running higher, up to around $72/month.
How much RAM do I need for a Palworld dedicated server?
Palworld can be memory-hungry as a base grows, especially with multiple players building simultaneously, so a host offering at least 8-16GB of accessible RAM per active player group is a safer starting point than the bare minimum some hosts advertise.
Does Palworld hosting support crossplay between Steam, Xbox, and PS5?
Palworld itself supports crossplay across Steam, Xbox, PS5, and Mac, but not every host configures this correctly by default. DatHost, Godlike Host, Apex Hosting, and Shockbyte are commonly cited as handling crossplay setup well.
Is GravelHost or Shockbyte better for a Palworld server?
It depends on group size. GravelHost is cheaper for small groups, at $9/month for 4 players, and deploys in about 60 seconds. Shockbyte is better value for big groups, at $19.98/month for 32 slots versus $23.49/month on GravelHost’s 32-player plan. Choose GravelHost for a fast, simple start and Shockbyte for the lowest cost at full capacity.
Can I try a Palworld server host before paying?
Yes, several hosts on this list offer trials or guarantees, HostHavoc backs every plan with a 72-hour money-back guarantee, and Shockbyte and Apex Hosting also offer a 72-hour self-serve refund window.
Final Verdict: Which Is the Best Palworld Dedicated Server Hosting for You?
There is no single best Palworld dedicated server for every group, because Palworld leans so hard on CPU and RAM that the right pick depends on your player count and priorities. If you want the short answer, these are the five we would start with:
- Apex Hosting if your group has never run a server before and wants support that walks you through every step.
- GravelHost if you want your world live in about 60 seconds, with plans from 4 to 32 players.
- Shockbyte for the best overall value, with the lowest cost per player slot on a full 32-player server.
- BisectHosting if your players are spread across countries, thanks to 21 locations and fast live chat support.
- HostHavoc if your server has been attacked before, with terabit-scale DDoS protection and sub-10-minute support.
Whichever you choose, size your RAM for where your base will be in a month, not where it is today. Game hosts rarely run big one-day sales, but our Black Friday hosting deals guide lists the lifetime coupons HostHavoc and ScalaCube offer instead.
In Short, These are the Top Palworld Dedicated Servers in 2026
| # | Provider | Best For | Starting Price | Max Slots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apex Hosting | Hand-holding support | $5-10/month | Varies by plan |
| 2 | GravelHost | Instant setup | From $9/month | 32 |
| 3 | Shockbyte | Best overall value | $11.99/month | 32 (Grizzbolt tier) |
| 4 | BisectHosting | Best global network | $11.99/month | 32 |
| 5 | HostHavoc | Best DDoS protection | $12/month | 32 |
| 6 | ScalaCube | Best global server locations | From $17.99/month | 32 |
| 7 | XGamingServer | Best raw hardware performance | From $7/month | 32 |
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