Hosting Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Players | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official server | Free | Public | Casual testing |
| Host multiplayer from game menu | Free | Up to 4 (host must stay online) | Friends' co-op |
| Dedicated server (self-host) | Free (you run it) | Unlimited-ish | Persistent community servers |
| Rented dedicated server | $$$ | High | 24/7 uptime, large groups |
Ports & Connection
- Game port: 8211 (UDP) — the main game traffic.
- Query port: 27015 (UDP) — server browser listing.
- REST API: 8212 (optional, admin commands).
⚠️ Open these in your firewall/router and port-forward them to the server machine for external players.
Dedicated Server Config (key settings)
| Setting | Example | What it does |
|---|---|---|
ServerName | My Palworld | Shown in server browser |
ServerPassword | secret123 | Private access |
MaxPlayers | 32 | Capacity cap |
PlayerDrops | 0 (off) | Death penalty toggle |
ExpRate | 1.5 | XP multiplier |
PalCaptureRate | 1.0 | Capture odds multiplier |
💡 Edit config only while the server is stopped, then restart. Backup the file before big changes.
Role Division for Co-op
- Builder: manages base layout, power, automation.
- Farmer/Breeder: runs the food loop and breeding lines.
- Explorer/Catcher: scouts spawns, captures new species, feeds Paldeck XP to everyone.
- Combat lead: handles towers and world bosses with the best team.
💡 XP and progress are shared in co-op worlds — divide by interest, not by power.
Common Connection Issues
- "Connection timed out" → port forwarding / firewall rules missing.
- Server not in browser → query port (27015) closed.
- Version mismatch → update server to match client build.
- Lag spikes → check server CPU; Palworld is single-core heavy, more RAM ≠ smooth.
- Password rejected → ServerPassword must be set identically in config (no trailing spaces).
FAQ
Can console players join dedicated servers?
No — dedicated server hosting is a PC feature, and console players connect to hosted sessions instead. Crossplay pools mix console and PC players in the same session types, so a mixed group's options are: the PC member hosts, or the group rents a PC-side server everyone joins. Check the connection section below for the port and NAT settings either route needs.
The host's save is the world's save
On hosted co-op, the world lives in the host's save file: if the host cannot play, the group cannot play, and a host's corrupted save is everyone's loss. The practical rules: the host backs up saves on a schedule, the group agrees on session cadence, and if the world matters, graduate to a dedicated server before the save gets big rather than after it gets fragile.
Which hosting option fits which group
Four-player co-op through the host's game is the zero-setup default and the right choice for a one-session group; a dedicated server is the right choice once your world outlives the host's free evenings, because it keeps the world online without anyone's PC. The trade is cost and configuration time versus permanence, and the config section below covers the settings that matter on a dedicated box.