Palworld multiplayer comes in two formats after the 1.0 release: an online co-op world for up to 4 players, hosted by one of you, and a dedicated server that can hold up to 32 players, either private or listed as a community server. Crossplay covers Steam, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Mac, so the first decision for a group is the format, not the platform.
We checked the Palworld Steam store page, Pocketpair's official server guide (docs.palworldgame.com, version 1.0.4) and the patch notes collected on the Palworld wiki on November 2, 2026. Anything we could not confirm from those sources is left out.
Quick facts
| Topic | What we found |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pocketpair |
| 1.0 release | July 2026, out of Early Access on all platforms |
| Co-op world | Up to 4 players, hosted by one player (Steam store page) |
| Dedicated server | Up to 32 players (Steam store page), set with ServerPlayerMaxNum |
| How to join | Server list: community servers, or IP address and port for a private server |
| Crossplay | Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac, since update 0.5.0 (March 19, 2025) |
| Voice chat | Added in 1.0, dedicated servers only, when enabled in the world settings |
| PvP | Arena PvP on multiplayer servers, up to 3 Pals per player |
The two ways to play with others
Co-op world: up to 4 players
A co-op world is hosted by one of you, and the others join that world. The host's machine runs it, which has one big consequence: the world only exists while the host is playing. If the host is away for a week, nobody can work the base.
This format suits a fixed group of friends who play at the same hours. It is also the cheapest, since there is no server to rent or maintain.
Dedicated server: up to 32 players
A dedicated server keeps the world running without a host. The Steam page puts the limit at 32 players, and Pocketpair's guide sets it with the ServerPlayerMaxNum setting (or the -players launch argument). To join, open the server list: community servers appear in their own tab, and a private server is reached by typing its IP address and port below the list. A server can also require a password.
Running one takes real hardware. Pocketpair's guide recommends a 4-core CPU and 16 GB of memory, 32 GB or more for larger servers, and warns that 8 GB boots but raises the risk of out-of-memory crashes. The default port is UDP 8211, and you need to forward it on your router. Windows and Linux are supported, and Pocketpair publishes an official Docker image.
If you do not want to host, joining a community server is the easiest way to get a populated world. Read the server description for the rules, whether settings are close to default, and how active it is.
Crossplay
Update 0.5.0, the Crossplay Update of March 19, 2025, added cross-platform play across all platforms. Pocketpair's server guide lists the CrossplayPlatforms setting with a default of Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac, so a server owner can narrow it. If a friend on another platform cannot see or join your server, check that setting first.
Two other 1.0 details matter for mixed groups:
- Voice chat: in-game voice chat works only on dedicated servers where it is enabled in the world settings, and the 1.0 notes say it is not supported on the WinGDK (Microsoft Store) PC version. In a co-op world, plan another way to talk.
- Discord linking: you can link a Discord account to invite friends more easily, but only on the Steam and Mac versions.
PvP
The Arena is the structured PvP option. Each combatant brings up to three Pals from their party, and PvP matches are only available on multiplayer servers, against players on the same server who are in the Arena lobby. Server administrators can set rules and restrict which Pals are allowed. Version 1.0 cut Arena match length from 5 minutes to 2 and added a new top Arena rank.
Outside the Arena, rules depend on who runs the world. Some servers are peaceful base-building servers, others enable PvP. A server name rarely tells you which, so read the description and ask the owner before you build your first base.
What to agree on before you play
- Format: co-op world or server, and who hosts. A hosted world stops when the host logs off.
- Rules: PvP on or off, and default or custom world settings.
- Roles: who builds, who breeds, who handles bosses, who keeps the base running.
- Hours: a world only runs while it is up, so overlapping time matters more than skill.
- Platforms and voice: which version everyone owns, and whether you use in-game voice (servers only) or an outside app.
How to find people to play with
In game
The community server list is the fastest route to a populated world. Join a server with a clear description, play a session or two, and note who is around at your hours.
Discord and Reddit
Palworld communities and LFG servers on Discord work like notice boards: you post what you are after and wait for the right person to read it. Say your region, platform, format (4-player co-op or server) and whether you want PvP. Reddit threads work the same way but move slower. Our list of the best LFG Discord servers in 2026 shows where to post.
GameVerse
GameVerse is a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, with mobile coming soon. It shows players online now for the same game and region, chill or competitive, and lets you message them. A search can gather up to 8 players. It does not match on rank, role or schedule, and for Palworld the mode is written in free text, so say what you want: "4-player co-op world" or "chill base on a community server". Start from the Palworld page, or browse find players for other games.
FAQ
How many players can play Palworld co-op?
Up to 4 players in an online co-op world hosted by one player, according to the Steam store page. For more people, use a dedicated server.
How many players fit on a Palworld server?
Up to 32 on a dedicated server, according to the Steam store page. The owner sets the actual limit with the ServerPlayerMaxNum setting.
Is Palworld crossplay?
Yes. Since update 0.5.0 on March 19, 2025, Steam, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Mac players can play together, as of November 2, 2026. A dedicated server owner can restrict the allowed platforms.
How do I join a friend's Palworld server?
Open the server list. For a community server, pick it in the community server tab; for a private server, type its IP address and port below the list, plus the password if there is one.
Does Palworld have PvP?
Yes. The Arena has a PvP mode on multiplayer servers where each player brings up to three Pals, and server owners can set their own rules.
Does Palworld have voice chat?
Since 1.0, yes, but only on dedicated servers that enable it in the world settings, and not on the Microsoft Store PC version.