Palworld Dedicated Server Hosting: RAM, Settings and Setup

Palworld is a lot more fun on a dedicated server: your world stays online when the host player logs off, up to 32 people can play together, and you control the rates. It's also one of the hungriest games to host. This guide covers how much RAM you really need, which settings to change, and how to get a server running.

Why use a dedicated server instead of co-op?

In-game co-op limits you to a small group, and the world only exists while the host is playing. A dedicated server: - Stays online 24/7, so bases keep producing while you're away. - Supports up to 32 players. - Lets you change XP, capture, drop and day/night rates. - Can be password protected and moderated with admin commands.

How much RAM does a Palworld server need?

Palworld's server is known for memory growth. Usage climbs the longer the server runs and the more bases, Pals and players there are.

The developers' own guidance recommends around 16 GB, with 32 GB for stable play under load. With less RAM, plan on daily or twice-daily restarts. That's good practice at any size.

YN HOSTING's Palworld plans (Frankfurt and Singapore) match these tiers:

New customers on monthly billing can get their first month for $1 by entering the plan's code at checkout (how it works). Annual billing gives you 2 months free.

CPU and storage

A fast CPU keeps Pal AI and base work smooth, and NVMe storage shortens autosaves. Big worlds also take more disk space over time, so keep backups.

Step-by-step setup

1. Deploy the server

On managed hosting, order a Palworld plan and the server installs automatically. To self-host, install SteamCMD and run app_update 2394010 validate to get the Palworld Dedicated Server.

2. Open the right port

Palworld uses UDP port 8211 by default. Managed hosts assign this for you. If you self-host, forward it on your router and firewall.

3. Create your settings file

On the first start, the server creates its config folder. Settings go in:

Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini

(On Windows, it's WindowsServer.) The file starts empty. Copy the full OptionSettings=(...) line from DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini in the server root, then edit it. Stop the server before editing, or your changes may be overwritten on shutdown.

Full walkthrough: Palworld: set your server name, password and settings.

4. Connect

In Palworld, choose Join Multiplayer Game and enter IP:8211 (or your assigned port) at the bottom. Get the address from your panel, as shown in find and share your server address.

The PalWorldSettings.ini options that matter most

All of these live inside the single OptionSettings=(...) line, separated by commas.

Identity and access

• ServerName="Your Server"
• ServerDescription="Casual PvE | 2x XP | EU"
• ServerPassword="friendsonly" (leave blank for a public server)
• AdminPassword="strong-unique-password"
• ServerPlayerMaxNum=32

Rates (the fun part)

• ExpRate=1.000000 (try 1.5–2 for busy adults)
• PalCaptureRate=1.000000
• PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000 (raising this costs performance)
• CollectionDropRate, EnemyDropItemRate
• DayTimeSpeedRate / NightTimeSpeedRate
• PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=72.000000 (lower means faster hatching. Many servers use 1–10)

Difficulty and death

• DeathPenalty=All (options: None, Item, ItemAndEquipment, All)
• bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False, bIsPvP=False for PvE servers
• PlayerDamageRateAttack, PlayerDamageRateDefense, PalDamageRate...

Performance-related

• BaseCampMaxNum and BaseCampWorkerMaxNum: more bases and workers means more CPU and RAM. Be careful on smaller plans.
• DropItemMaxNum: lowering it reduces clutter lag.
• bEnableInvaderEnemy: raids add load during busy times.

Restart after changes. Option names change occasionally with game updates, so always compare against the current DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini.

Recommended presets

Relaxed friends server (PvE): ExpRate=2, PalCaptureRate=1.5, PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=2, DeathPenalty=Item, bIsPvP=False. You progress quickly without losing your whole inventory.

Vanilla-plus community server: ExpRate=1.5, default capture rate, DeathPenalty=ItemAndEquipment, BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15. A tougher game that's still welcoming to newcomers.

Hardcore PvP: default rates, DeathPenalty=All, bIsPvP=True, bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=True, bEnableInvaderEnemy=True. On busy servers, use at least 16 GB RAM.

Whatever you choose, post the rules and rates in your server description and your Discord, so players know what to expect before they join.

Admin commands

Set AdminPassword, restart, then log in from in-game chat:

/AdminPassword yourpassword

Useful commands: - /ShowPlayers: lists players and their IDs - /KickPlayer <SteamID> and /BanPlayer <SteamID> - /Broadcast <message>: use underscores instead of spaces on older builds - /Save: forces a world save - /Shutdown <seconds> <message>: a graceful restart with a warning - /TeleportToPlayer <SteamID>

More in Palworld: become an admin and use admin commands.

For remote management, you can enable RCON (RCONEnabled=True, RCONPort=25575) or the REST API in newer versions. Keep both password protected and don't share the ports publicly.

Keeping a Palworld server stable

1. Schedule restarts. Restart every 12–24 hours to reset memory growth. Send a /Broadcast warning first. See set up automatic restarts.
2. Back up saves. Worlds live under Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/<WorldID>/. Back them up before every game update.
3. Update promptly. Clients and servers must run the same version, or players can't join.
4. Watch the console. The live console shows crashes and save errors.
5. Grow when needed. If memory regularly hits your limit before the scheduled restart, upgrade your RAM.

Moving an existing co-op world to a dedicated server

1. Find your local save folder at %LOCALAPPDATA%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\<SteamID>\<WorldID>\.
2. Upload the world folder to the server's Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/ with SFTP.
3. Set DedicatedServerName=<WorldID> in Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini.
4. The host player's character may need a save-fix tool, because co-op and dedicated servers store the host's player data differently. Back everything up first.

Location and lag

Pick the location closest to most of your players. Our region and lag guide explains how to test. YN HOSTING runs Palworld in Frankfurt (Europe) and Singapore (Southeast Asia, a popular choice for Palworld groups in SEA and nearby regions), with India and Ashburn (US) coming soon. Every server is protected by Gcore and Zero Lag Protection by dataforest, for almost lag-free play even under DDoS attacks.

FAQ

How much RAM does a Palworld dedicated server need?

8 GB for a few friends, 16 GB for most groups, and 32 GB for full 32-player servers or long-running worlds.

How many players can join a Palworld server?

Up to 32.

Why does my Palworld server use more memory over time?

The server builds up memory as the world runs. Scheduled restarts are the standard fix.

Can I play crossplay with Xbox players?

Crossplay support on dedicated servers depends on the current game version and platform. Check the latest official patch notes.

Where is PalWorldSettings.ini?

Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini on Linux servers (WindowsServer on Windows).

Do I need a password?

Not required, but recommended for friends-only servers. Always set a strong AdminPassword.

Get your Palworld server

Check out our Palworld server plans and start your first month for $1 with the code entered at checkout. Questions? Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/cCUKcyMEuH.