How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server (Step-by-Step for 2025)

Ever wondered how streamers and multiplayer gamers play Palworld with dozens of friends while you’re stuck with a 4-player limit? Or why some Palworld servers have mods, better performance, and zero lag?

The answer lies in one thing: setting up a Palworld dedicated server.

Palworld has exploded in popularity since its release on Steam, and with its mix of survival, crafting, and monster-taming gameplay, more players are eager to create private servers for more freedom, control, and fun.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

  • Why hosting your own server gives you a better multiplayer experience
  • The exact steps to set up a Palworld server using a VPS (like Hostinger)
  • How to configure and customize your game
  • And whether hosting it on your own PC is really worth the hassle

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro gamer, this tutorial will show you how to launch your Palworld server in less than 10 minutes—no deep tech knowledge required.

Let’s get started.


What Is Palworld and Why Is It So Popular?

Palworld is an open-world multiplayer survival game developed by Pocket Pair, blending creature-collecting gameplay like Pokémon with the exploration and crafting depth of games like Minecraft and Ark.

You’ll capture adorable-yet-deadly creatures called “Pals,” use them for farming, building, or combat, and try to survive in a harsh world filled with poachers, hunger, and resource scarcity.

But it’s more than just survival. You can:

  • Ride Pals to fly, swim, or travel
  • Build automated factories powered by your Pals
  • Trade or even eat them if you’re desperate (yes, really)

With over 1 million sales within 8 hours of its early access release, Palworld is one of the most viral indie games of 2024—and it’s just getting started.


Why You Should Host Your Own Palworld Dedicated Server

By default, Palworld only supports up to 4 players in a multiplayer session. That’s a huge limitation if you’re trying to build a community, stream gameplay, or just have fun with a bigger group.

Hosting a dedicated Palworld server removes that cap and unlocks powerful features:

1. Increase Player Limit (Up to 32 Players)

Instead of being limited to just 4 friends, your server can host up to 32 players—perfect for private servers, LAN parties, or public communities.

2. Add Mods and Customize Everything

Want new gameplay rules, balance changes, or even custom content? Mods are supported on dedicated servers, allowing you to create a totally unique experience.

3. Reduce Lag and Improve Stability

With a VPS-based dedicated server, the game runs in the cloud—not on your personal device—offering smoother gameplay and fewer crashes.

4. Enjoy Full Control

Set admin rules, customize day/night cycles, apply password protection, or kick troublemakers instantly. You’re the boss.

5. Build a Gaming Community

Run your own world, invite friends or followers, stream events, and grow your own Palworld universe—all with complete control.


VPS vs Local Hosting: Which Is Better for a Palworld Server?

You have two main options for hosting your own Palworld server:

  1. Use a VPS hosting provider like Hostinger (beginner-friendly, fast, and reliable)
  2. Set up the server on your own PC (cheaper upfront but technical and limited)

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:

FeatureVPS Hosting (Best for Most)Hosting on Your PC
Setup TimeUnder 10 minutes30–60+ minutes
Tech Skill NeededMinimalRequires CMD/Linux experience
Uptime24/7 availablePC must stay on
Player LimitUp to 32Up to 32
Lag/PerformanceOptimized game serversDepends on PC specs
Monthly CostFrom $6.99/month$0 (but higher electricity cost)

Verdict:

Choose VPS hosting if you want:

  • Fast and easy setup
  • 24/7 uptime without keeping your PC on
  • Better performance and customer support

Go with PC hosting if:

  • You already have a powerful gaming rig
  • You’re comfortable with command-line tools
  • You want a zero-cost monthly option (but are okay with limitations)

System Requirements to Run a Palworld Server Smoothly

Before you set up your Palworld server, it’s important to make sure your hardware or hosting plan can handle the game’s requirements—especially if you’re expecting multiple players.

Here are the recommended specifications depending on your setup:

✅ For VPS Hosting (Like Hostinger)

Most VPS providers offer Game Panel-based hosting plans optimized for Palworld. Here’s what to look for:

  • CPU: At least 2 vCPU (preferably AMD EPYC or Intel Xeon)
  • RAM: Minimum 8 GB (16 GB recommended for smoother gameplay)
  • Storage: 40 GB NVMe SSD or higher
  • Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04, CentOS, or Windows Server 2019
  • Network: DDoS protection and low latency routes

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re going with Hostinger’s “Game Panel 4” plan, it includes 16 GB RAM and is ideal for up to 32 players with mod support.

✅ For Local PC Hosting

If you’re building a server on your own computer, make sure your machine meets or exceeds these specs:

  • CPU: Intel i5 9th Gen or Ryzen 5 and above
  • RAM: 16 GB (32 GB preferred for stability)
  • Storage: 50 GB SSD (Palworld game + server files)
  • Graphics Card: GTX 1050 / RX 560 or better
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit / Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
  • Internet: Stable broadband with 10 Mbps upload minimum

Best VPS Providers for Palworld Dedicated Server Hosting

If you’re looking for the fastest and easiest way to launch your own Palworld server, a VPS host is the best option. But not all hosts are equally good for gaming.

Based on performance, pricing, mod support, and ease of use, here are the top choices for 2025:

VPS ProviderStarting PriceRAMKey FeaturesIdeal For
Hostinger$6.99/month8–16 GBGame Panel, DDoS protection, easy setupBeginners & streamers
ScalaHosting$14.95/month8–12 GBFull root access, NVMe SSD, backupsAdvanced gamers
Liquid Web$25/month+16+ GBEnterprise-level VPS, 100% uptime SLAPro-level performance
OVH Cloud$15/month+8 GBEurope-based low-latency gaming serversEU gamers

Why We Recommend Hostinger for Palworld Hosting

  • Pre-configured Game Panel for Palworld—no Linux commands needed
  • Mod support and easy server backups
  • Full root access and secure remote admin control
  • Uptime guarantee of 99.9% with low latency servers
  • Budget-friendly: Plans start at just $6.99/month (or lower with coupon)

Hostinger also provides a VPS AI Assistant that can auto-generate server commands, help you fix config errors, and make management a breeze—even for beginners.

How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server Using Hostinger (Step-by-Step)

Ready to go live with your own server in less than 10 minutes? Here’s how you can launch and configure your Palworld server using Hostinger:

Step 1: Choose a Hostinger Palworld Hosting Plan

👉 Visit Hostinger Game Panel VPS
Choose a “Game Panel” plan. For 16 GB RAM (best performance), go with Game Panel 4. For tighter budgets, Game Panel 2 (8 GB) also works for smaller groups.

At checkout, use coupon code: PALWORLD25 (example) for extra savings.

📌 Pro Tip: Pick a 24-month billing cycle to lock in the lowest monthly price.

Step 2: Complete Server Setup & Login to Game Panel

Once payment is done:

  • Choose your server location (closest to your region)
  • Set a username and password for your VPS
  • Click “Start Now” and access your Game Panel from the VPS dashboard

You’ll now have full access to the Hostinger Game Panel—a visual control panel for Palworld.

Step 3: Create Your Palworld Server Instance

In the Game Panel:

  • Click “Create Instance”
  • Select Palworld from the application list
  • Give your server a friendly name
  • Under “After Creation,” choose Update & Start Once

Boom. Your Palworld instance is live in seconds.

Next, you’ll configure your gameplay settings, passwords, and admin access. We’ll cover all that in the next section.

How to Customize and Configure Your Palworld Server

Once your Palworld server is live on Hostinger’s Game Panel, it’s time to fine-tune the settings to create the perfect multiplayer experience.

Here’s how to configure everything from server name to gameplay difficulty:

Step 4: Customize Server Settings

In your Game Panel dashboard:

  • Click on your Palworld Instance
  • Then select Manage

Go to the Configuration tab > Palworld Server Settings. Here, you can adjust:

  • Server Name: Give your server a cool, unique name.
  • Community Toggle: Choose if the server is private or public.
  • Password Protection: Set a strong password for private games.
  • Player Limit: Choose the max number of players (up to 32).

Step 5: Adjust Gameplay Rules

Next, visit the Palworld Gameplay Settings section. You’ll be able to tweak rules like:

  • XP gain rate
  • Pal spawn frequency
  • Hunger levels and damage
  • Day/Night cycle speed
  • Difficulty levels (peaceful to hardcore)

This is where you decide how easy or challenging your world will be.

Step 6: Configure Multiplayer Settings

If you’re playing with friends:

  • Enable or disable PvP
  • Set ally limits
  • Choose Pal carry limits and cooperative perks

Not sure what to change? Use the default settings and adjust later as you play.

Step 7: Set Admin Access for Your Server

To join your own server as an administrator (and manage players or settings from within the game):

  • Go to Security and Privacy
  • Find Remote Admin Password
  • Click Generate Password

Copy this password and keep it secure—you’ll need it to log in with admin commands while playing.


How to Host a Palworld Server on Your Own PC [Advanced Setup]

Hosting Palworld on your PC is completely free, but it comes with more technical setup steps. If you’re experienced with command lines and server ports, here’s how to do it:

Requirements:

  • Windows 10/11 or Linux (Ubuntu)
  • Palworld purchased on Steam
  • 16 GB RAM minimum
  • GTX 1050 / RX 560 or higher
  • 10 Mbps+ upload speed (wired connection recommended)

Step 1: Install Palworld Dedicated Server on Steam

  • Open your Steam Library
  • Search for Palworld Dedicated Server
  • Click Install and wait for it to download (~10 GB)

Step 2: Locate Local Server Files

Once installed:

  • Right-click on the Palworld Dedicated Server in Steam
  • Choose Manage > Browse Local Files
  • This opens the folder with all server configuration files

Step 3: Basic Server Setup

Inside the server folder, you’ll need to:

  • Install SteamCMD to update your server
  • Forward Port 8211 on your router for multiplayer access
  • Locate your IPv4 address and share it with friends

If you’re not familiar with router settings or NAT configuration, follow this Steam guide on port forwarding or watch a dedicated video tutorial.

⚠️ Warning: If your PC shuts down, your server goes offline. Keep it running 24/7 if you want persistent worlds.


Troubleshooting Common Issues with Palworld Server Setup

Even with the right setup, you might face hiccups along the way. Here’s how to resolve the most common Palworld dedicated server problems:

1. Server Doesn’t Appear in Multiplayer List

  • Check if Port 8211 is open in your firewall/router settings
  • Make sure the server is marked as “Community Server” and not private
  • Restart the instance from your Game Panel

2. Admin Commands Not Working

  • Ensure you generated and used the Remote Admin Password
  • Use the correct in-game command: bashCopyEdit/adminpassword [your-password]

3. Players Can’t Connect

  • Confirm that you shared the correct IP address
  • Ask users to refresh their server browser or enter IP manually
  • If hosting locally, your public IP may have changed—check it again

4. Server Crashing or Lag

  • Reduce the number of mods or large asset packs
  • Use at least 16 GB RAM (VPS or PC)
  • Choose a server location closer to your player base

💡 Tip: VPS hosts like Hostinger offer 24/7 chat support to help you resolve performance or setup issues without needing technical knowledge.

Best Practices to Optimize Your Palworld Server

Whether you’re running your server on a VPS or your own PC, a few tweaks can help ensure stability, speed, and better player experience.

1. Backup Your Server Files Regularly

Keep daily or weekly backups of your game state and config files. If something breaks (especially with mods), you can roll back without losing progress.

2. Use Only Trusted Mods

Mods can enhance gameplay, but too many or poorly coded ones may crash the server. Only use mods from reliable sources and test them one at a time before rolling out.

3. Schedule Server Restarts

Even powerful servers benefit from an occasional restart. Automate reboots every 24–48 hours during off-peak times to clear memory and keep performance optimal.

4. Monitor Resource Usage

Use your hosting dashboard or system monitor to track CPU, memory, and disk usage. If players complain about lag, you might need more RAM or bandwidth.

5. Promote Your Server (Optional)

Want to grow your Palworld community? Share your server on:

  • Reddit communities like r/Palworld
  • Discord servers
  • Steam groups or game forums

Don’t forget to give your server a catchy name and description!


Palworld Dedicated Server FAQs

Can I host a Palworld server on Xbox?

No, Xbox does not currently support hosting dedicated servers. This feature is only available on PC via Steam and compatible VPS services.

How many players can join my Palworld dedicated server?

You can host up to 32 players at once when using a dedicated server. This is a huge upgrade from the default 4-player co-op limit.

Is VPS hosting better than setting up the server on my PC?

Yes. VPS hosting offers better uptime, no hardware stress on your PC, DDoS protection, and 24/7 availability without needing to keep your system turned on.

Does setting up a Palworld server require coding or Linux knowledge?

Not if you use a provider like Hostinger. Their Game Panel makes the process 100% beginner-friendly—no terminal or config files needed.

What’s the best VPS hosting provider for Palworld in 2025?

Hostinger is the top pick for beginners due to its low pricing, Game Panel support, and mod-friendly environment. Other good options include ScalaHosting and Liquid Web.

Can I migrate my server later?

Yes, most VPS providers allow you to back up and migrate your Palworld server data to a different plan or provider if needed.

Final Thoughts: Is Hosting a Palworld Server Worth It in 2025?

If you love multiplayer survival games and want full control over your gameplay, mods, and community—hosting a Palworld server is a no-brainer.

For most players, a VPS setup like Hostinger offers:

  • Easy, non-technical setup
  • Affordable plans starting under $7/month
  • Support for 32 players and custom rules
  • 24/7 access with no PC dependency

Whether you want a private world for your close friends or a public hub for stream viewers, a dedicated server transforms how you experience Palworld.

So why stay limited by the 4-player default mode when you can run the world your way?

Ready to start?
👉 Set Up Your Palworld Server on Hostinger Now

Have any questions or need help configuring your server? Drop them in the comments—we’re here to help you level up your Palworld adventure.

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