Articles
Explore some articles written by our team & fellow gamers!
Explore some articles written by our team & fellow gamers!
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to our use of cookies. Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.
If you're looking to launch your own Palworld server and keep your crew together without relying on public servers, you've come to the right place. We've tested and compared the top Palworld server hosters to help you find the perfect fit for your gaming needs.
Whether you're running a casual co-op setup or managing a hardcore PvP community, the right hosting provider makes all the difference. In this guide, we'll break down the best Palworld server hosting options, compare key features, and help you choose the hosting that fits your playstyle and budget.
Before we jump into our rankings, let's talk about what actually matters when choosing a Palworld server host.
Performance & Uptime — Nobody wants lag spikes during raids or crashes mid-session. Look for providers offering 99.9%+ uptime SLAs with geographically distributed servers.
Crossplay Support — Modern Palworld servers need seamless Xbox/PC crossplay. Not all hosters natively support this, so it's a critical differentiator.
Control & Customization — A solid control panel lets you manage server slots, adjust difficulty settings, enable mod support, and schedule auto-restarts without SSH access.
Pricing & Scalability — Your player count will grow (hopefully). Choose a hoster that won't break the bank as you scale up server slots from 4 to 32 players.
Mod Support — If you're into custom content, ensure the host supports modding frameworks and doesn't restrict file modifications.
World Backup & Recovery — Accidents happen. Automatic daily backups are non-negotiable if you're invested in your world.
Now let's see which providers actually deliver on these fronts.
Why We Ranked It First: EZ Game Host is the clear winner for Palworld hosting, offering an unbeatable combination of performance, features, and value that puts it ahead of the competition.
Key Features:
Pricing:
Why Gamers Love It: EZ Game Host treats Palworld servers like gamers actually want them configured. No artificial limitations, full mod freedom, and a control panel that doesn't feel like navigating a data center. Plus, their support team actually plays games and understands what breaks servers at 2 a.m.
Get Started with EZ Game Host →
Overview: Shockbyte has been hosting game servers for over a decade and maintains a solid reputation in the community.
Key Features:
Pricing:
Pros:
Cons:
Overview: GPortal, owned by Nitrado, offers comprehensive server hosting with a focus on advanced customization.
Key Features:
Pricing:
Pros:
Cons:
Overview: Nitrado is an original server hosting platform with long history. Still solid, but showing its age against newer competitors.
Key Features:
Pricing:
Pros:
Cons:
Overview: Host Havoc positions itself as the budget option, cutting corners to hit lower price points.
Key Features:
Pricing:
Pros:
Cons:
| Provider | 4-Player | 8-Player | 16-Player | 32-Player | Xbox Crossplay | Mod Support | Auto-Backups | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZ Game Host | $2.99 | $4.99 | $7.99 | $12.99 | ✅ Full | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Daily | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Shockbyte | $3.99 | $5.99 | $9.99 | $14.99 | ⚠️ Partial | ✅ Manual | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| GPortal | $4.49 | $6.99 | $10.99 | $15.99 | ⚠️ Partial | ✅ Limited | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nitrado | $4.99 | $7.49 | $11.99 | $17.99 | ❌ No | ✅ Basic | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Host Havoc | $2.49 | $3.99 | $6.99 | $10.99 | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Paid Tier | ⭐⭐⭐ |
This is huge for Palworld. Since the game supports cross-platform play between Steam and Xbox Game Pass, you want a hoster that fully supports it out-of-the-box.
EZ Game Host handles this seamlessly. Your Xbox players and PC players connect to the same world without special configuration. Other providers either don't support it or require workarounds that introduce latency and instability.
Want to add new Pals, weapons, or gameplay mechanics? Not all hosters treat modding equally.
Best: EZ Game Host lets you upload any mod file or use mod frameworks directly. Install Paltogether, PalUnlocker, or community creations with zero restrictions.
Good: Shockbyte and GPortal support mods, but you'll need to manually manage files through FTP or their limited web interfaces.
Limited: Host Havoc and Nitrado have restricted mod support, making custom content a hassle.
Imagine investing 200 hours into your world, only to have the server crash and corrupt your save. Backups are your insurance policy.
All providers offer this, but:
Palworld servers benefit from scheduled restarts to clear memory leaks and refresh performance. Good hosters automate this.
EZ Game Host lets you schedule auto-restarts for maintenance windows without disrupting gameplay. The control panel shows exactly when restarts will happen, and you can exclude specific times.
Other providers offer this, but implementation varies in user-friendliness.
Short Answer: Between $2.49–$17.99 per month depending on player count and provider.
For a casual group of 4-8 players, expect to pay $3–$6/month. As you scale to 16-32 players, costs climb to $7–$18/month.
Best Value: EZ Game Host dominates the price-to-feature ratio. You're paying the lowest or near-lowest price while getting the most robust feature set.
Budget Option: Host Havoc is cheapest, but you sacrifice mod support, backup quality, and customer support. Only choose this if you're testing the waters with a temporary world.
Yes, but not all hosters support it equally.
Full Xbox/PC Crossplay:
Partial/Limited Support:
No Crossplay Support:
If you're planning a mixed Xbox/Steam crew, EZ Game Host is your only guaranteed seamless option.
Absolutely—but it depends on your host.
Unlimited Mod Freedom:
Limited/Manual Mod Support:
No Mod Support:
Pro Tip: If modding is important, EZ Game Host is the only choice that doesn't create friction. Upload mods, restart the server, and you're live.
Choosing a host is step one. Here's what the setup process looks like:
With EZ Game Host, this entire process takes about 5 minutes from signup to your first game session. Shockbyte is similar. GPortal requires more configuration. Nitrado is slower overall.
Latency matters. A server physically close to your players means lower ping and smoother gameplay.
EZ Game Host: US (East, West, Central), EU (Frankfurt, UK), Asia-Pacific (Tokyo, Sydney)
Shockbyte: Similar global coverage
GPortal: Good coverage but fewer location options
Nitrado: Limited locations, mostly EU-focused
Host Havoc: Fewer locations, mostly US-based
If your group is spread across regions, check that your preferred host has servers near everyone. EZ Game Host's global footprint is one of its biggest advantages.
EZ Game Host is the best overall. It combines the lowest pricing, fullest feature set (especially Xbox crossplay and unlimited mods), and the most responsive support. For 95% of Palworld players, it's the obvious choice.
Shockbyte is a solid second option if you want established reliability, though you'll pay more and get fewer features.
Pricing ranges from $2.49–$17.99/month depending on player count:
EZ Game Host consistently offers the best pricing.
Yes, but you need a host that supports it. EZ Game Host offers seamless Xbox/PC crossplay. Other hosters either don't support it or have incomplete implementation. If crossplay is critical, EZ Game Host is your only reliable option.
Yes, on most hosts—but EZ Game Host makes it easiest. You can upload any mod without restrictions. Other providers limit mods or require manual file uploads via FTP.
All major providers (EZ Game Host, Shockbyte, GPortal, Nitrado) include automatic backups. Host Havoc requires a paid tier. EZ Game Host performs daily backups with one-click restore, making recovery simple.
Most providers cap at 32 players on the highest tier. Some offer 64-player servers at premium pricing. For most groups, 16–32 player servers are the sweet spot.
This varies by host. EZ Game Host gives you the most granular control through an intuitive interface. GPortal is powerful but complex. Shockbyte and Nitrado are in between. Host Havoc is very basic.
Yes, all reputable providers let you scale up or down. EZ Game Host makes changes instant (no wait time). Be aware that downgrading may require waiting for the current billing cycle to end on some platforms.
All providers in this roundup have redundant infrastructure and SLAs (typically 99.9%+ uptime). If a server does go down, they'll restart it automatically or compensate you with credits. EZ Game Host offers 99.99% uptime backed by multiple redundancy.
No. Palworld allows third-party dedicated servers. Any reputable hoster works fine. You don't need to use official servers.
Ready to dive deeper into Palworld hosting? Check out our other guides:
If you want the best Palworld server hosting, go with EZ Game Host. It wins on price, features, mod support, Xbox crossplay, and customer support. You'll spend less, get more control, and have fewer headaches.
If you're looking for alternatives, Shockbyte is the next best choice. It's more expensive and less feature-rich, but it's reliable and established.
Skip Host Havoc unless you're testing the absolute minimum. The money you "save" gets eaten by frustration and limitations.
Your Palworld adventure deserves a host that actually gets it. Choose wisely, and happy hunting!
Ready to launch your Palworld server? Start with EZ Game Host today →