Palworld Server Setup: Guide for 2026

Palworld has grown into one of the most popular survival games since its release in 2024. With the Sakurajima update and ongoing content additions, the game continues to grow. A dedicated server lets you play with friends on your own terms.

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Hardware requirements

Palworld is heavy on RAM, especially with many Pals and bases. Better to overestimate than underestimate.

Installing the server via SteamCMD

# Install SteamCMD (Ubuntu/Debian)
apt install steamcmd

# Download Palworld server
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

Starting the server

./PalServer.sh -port=8211 -players=16 -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS

The server runs on port 8211 (UDP) by default.

Adjusting settings

After the first start, PalWorldSettings.ini is created. Important settings:

ServerName=My Palworld Server
ServerDescription=Welcome!
AdminPassword=adminpassword
ServerPassword=playerpassword
ServerPlayerMaxNum=16
PublicPort=8211

# Gameplay adjustments
ExpRate=2.0
PalCaptureRate=1.5
PalSpawnNumRate=1.0
DayTimeSpeedRate=1.0
NightTimeSpeedRate=1.0
PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.0
PlayerDamageRateDefense=1.0
PalDamageRateAttack=1.0
PalDamageRateDefense=1.0
DeathPenalty=1

World settings

• ExpRate: XP multiplier. 2.0 = double XP.
• PalCaptureRate: how easy Pals are to catch. Higher = easier.
• DeathPenalty: 0=no penalty, 1=drop items, 2=drop items and Pals.
• bEnableInvaderEnemy: enable or disable base raids.
• CoopPlayerMaxNum: max players in a guild/coop.

Firewall and ports

ufw allow 8211/udp    # Game traffic
ufw allow 27015/udp   # Steam query

Updating the server

Palworld is regularly updated. Update via SteamCMD:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

Always create a backup before updating. Copy the Saved folder to a safe location.

Optimization tips

• Use the -useperfthreads and -UseMultithreadForDS flags when starting.
• Restart the server every 12-24 hours to prevent memory buildup.
• Limit the number of guilds and bases if you experience lag.
• Put the server on NVMe storage for faster load times.

Is Palworld cross-play?

Palworld supports cross-play between Steam and Xbox via dedicated servers. Use the Xbox/Game Pass version of the server for cross-play support.

How much does a Palworld server cost?

Due to the high RAM requirements, Palworld is one of the more expensive games to host. Expect 8-16 GB RAM minimum, which corresponds to a game hosting plan of 8-20 EUR per month.

Can I install mods on a Palworld server?

The modding community is growing. PAL Modding Toolkit and UE4SS are used for server-side mods. The modding ecosystem is not yet as mature as Minecraft or Rust.

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