How Much RAM for a Palworld Server?

The right RAM for a Palworld server in 2026 by player count, with concrete optimization tips.

Published on 14 juin 2026Updated on 14 juin 2026

Want to launch a Palworld server to play with your friends but aren't sure how much RAM to get? It's the question everyone asks before signing up for hosting. And it's a fair one, because Palworld is not a lightweight game.

Why does Palworld use so much RAM?

Palworld combines two mechanics that put a heavy load on a server: a dynamically generated 3D open world, and Pals that live their lives around the clock, whether a player is connected or not. Each Pal has its own AI, a position in the world, a state (working, fighting, sleeping), and all of that runs continuously on the server side.

Add to that the management of player bases, crafted items, inventories, and PvP combat if it's enabled, and you quickly understand that Palworld is far more demanding than vanilla Minecraft, for example.

Palworld vs Minecraft are not the same thing

A vanilla Minecraft server runs fine with 2 GB of RAM for 5 players. For Palworld, that's double at a minimum. The engines are different: Palworld runs on Unreal Engine, with a much higher CPU and RAM load.

How much RAM based on player count

Here are the concrete recommendations, based on community feedback and the game's official requirements.

Number of players	Minimum RAM	Recommended RAM	Notes
1 to 4 players	8 GB	8 GB	Playable, but little headroom during combat or a base explosion
4 to 8 players	8 GB	12 GB	12 GB for a smooth, lag-free experience
8 to 16 players	12 GB	16 GB	16 GB to hold up with active bases and lots of Pals
16 to 32 players	16 GB	24-32 GB	Below this, crashes and lag become frequent
32+ players	32 GB	32 GB+	Community server, requires a true dedicated server

These values are based on the 2026 version of Palworld. Future updates could change these requirements.

Warning

Palworld is still in early access. RAM usage may increase with updates. Always plan for 2 to 4 GB of headroom above the listed minimum.

Estimate your RAM in 3 steps

Count your real concurrent players

Don't take the total number of your friends, but your peak number of players connected at the same time. 4 players on weeknights and 10 on weekends? Size for 10. Nothing is more frustrating than a server that lags on the day everyone shows up.

Assess base activity

Bases with lots of Pals working are the most resource-hungry. An optimized base with 15 active Pals at workstations is much heavier than an empty base. If your players are the type to max out their bases, go up a tier.

Add a safety margin

Since Palworld is in early access, updates can change memory usage. A margin of 2 to 4 GB will let you absorb spikes without service interruptions. Going from 8 to 12 GB costs a few euros per month, but it saves you evenings ruined by crashes.

RAM or CPU, which matters most for Palworld?

It's a question we see often, and the answer isn't that simple.

RAM is the number one limiting factor on small servers. Below 8 GB, the server crashes regularly when several players move through different areas of the world. The game loads chunks on the fly, and if RAM maxes out, the server crashes.

The CPU takes over beyond 8-10 players. Palworld runs on Unreal Engine, which means it can take advantage of multiple cores, unlike Minecraft. A good multi-core CPU with a high clock speed (3.5 GHz minimum) is important for servers of 16 players and up.

For fewer than 8 players

RAM is the priority. Make sure you have at least 8 GB dedicated to the server, with an OS that doesn't eat up the remaining 2-3 GB.

For 8 to 32 players

You need both: 16 GB of RAM and a high-performance CPU. A server with plenty of RAM but a slow processor will generate lag during combat or explosions.

For 32+ players

You're in the community server category. You need a dedicated server with at least 32 GB of RAM and a recent CPU. Shared plans are no longer enough at this stage.

Tips to reduce RAM usage

Before moving up to a higher plan, a few settings in your server config can make a real difference.

Palworld server optimizations

•Lower the PalSpawnNumRate in PalWorldSettings.ini (default is 1.0, try 0.7-0.8)
•Limit the number of active Pals per base with BaseCampMaxNum (default: 15, set it to 10)
•Reduce enemy spawn distance with EnemyDropItemRate and BuildObjectDamageRate
•Enable regular saves with a reasonable interval (every 30 minutes) to avoid large saves that freeze the server
•Disable PvP if no one uses it, which reduces collision calculations between players
•Limit the player view by lowering ServerPlayerMaxNum to what you actually use

The PalWorldSettings.ini file

This file is located in the Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ folder of your server. You can edit it directly from the file manager in your hosting panel. Always save a copy before making changes.

Which type of plan should you choose for your needs?

Palworld requires at least 8 GB of dedicated RAM, which points you straight toward specialized game hosting plans. Standard web hosts or generic VPS aren't suited to it: you need a service that offers a dedicated panel, one-click installation, and real update management.

Small group (2-4 players)

RAM: 8 GB

Players: 2 to 4 players

Price: ~€8-12/month

✓ Ideal for: Perfect for playing regularly with friends without any hassle. Enough to explore the world and build up bases.

Medium group (5-10 players)

RAM: 12-16 GB

Players: 5 to 10 players

Price: ~€15-25/month

✓ Ideal for: The ideal plan for a community of regular players with active bases and PvP.

Community server (10-32 players)

RAM: 16-32 GB

Players: 10 to 32 players

Price: ~€25-60/month

✓ Ideal for: For public servers or large guilds. Requires a serious host with dedicated resources.

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Frequently asked questions about Palworld server RAM

Is 8 GB of RAM enough for a Palworld server?

Yes, for 2 to 4 players without too many active Pals in the bases. But as soon as several players explore different areas or the bases grow, you'll quickly hit the limit. For 5 players or more, go straight to 12 GB.

Why does my Palworld server crash so often?

Frequent crashes on a Palworld server are almost always linked to a lack of RAM or a game update. First check that the server is up to date, then monitor memory usage from your panel. If it regularly exceeds 90%, you need to increase the RAM.

Is Palworld more demanding than Minecraft for a server?

Yes, by far. Palworld runs on Unreal Engine and handles entities that are far more complex than Minecraft. A vanilla Minecraft server runs on 2 GB, while Palworld requires 8 GB minimum. The comparison doesn't really hold up, as the two games have very different architectures.

Can you run a Palworld server on your own PC?

Technically yes, Palworld offers dedicated server files. But that means your PC has to stay on around the clock, dedicate 8 GB of RAM to the server, and have a stable internet connection with good upload speed. A host is much more convenient and often cheaper in practice than people think.

Are the server's RAM and my PC's RAM the same thing?

No. Your PC's RAM is used by your Palworld client (graphics, assets, sounds). The server's RAM handles the world, the Pals, the bases, and the connected players on the server side. If you play on a hosted server, your personal RAM has no impact on the server's performance.

How many Pals can you have on a server with 8 GB of RAM?

It's hard to give an exact number because it also depends on the CPU, but with 8 GB you can reasonably have 3-4 bases with 10-15 Pals each. If the bases are larger or more numerous, move up to 12-16 GB to avoid freezes.