Palworld Dedicated Server vs Community Server in 1.0

Palworld reached version 1.0 on July 10, 2026. Its version 1.0 server documentation distinguishes between standard dedicated servers and community servers.

Palworld Dedicated Server vs Community Server in 1.0

Palworld reached version 1.0 on July 10, 2026. Its version 1.0 server documentation distinguishes between standard dedicated servers and community servers primarily by how players discover and join them.

The core difference

A standard dedicated server is joined by entering its IP address and port. A community server is a dedicated server registered in Palworld’s in-game server list, where players can find and select it.

| Feature | Standard dedicated server | Community server | |---|---|---| | Connection method | Enter an IP address and port | Select the server from the Community Server list | | Listed in the game client | No | Yes | | Xbox and PS5 access | Not supported through this server type | Required server type | | Community startup argument | Not used | -publiclobby |

Choose a standard dedicated server when direct-IP access is sufficient. Choose a community server when players need in-game discovery or when Xbox or PS5 players must connect.

Starting a community server

Pocketpair’s version 1.0 guide documents -publiclobby as the argument that configures a server as a community server.

Windows example:

PalServer.exe -publiclobby

Linux example:

./PalServer.sh -publiclobby

Listening and advertised network settings

The relevant startup arguments have distinct purposes:

• -port changes the port on which the server listens.
• -publicport manually specifies the public port advertised for a community server, but does not change the listening port.
• -publicip manually specifies the public IP used by a community server. Without it, the server attempts to detect that address automatically.

This distinction matters when the server’s external port differs from its internal listening port.

Same-network connections

Pocketpair warns that a router without Hairpin NAT support can prevent a player from connecting to a locally hosted community server from the same network. This limitation concerns the router’s handling of the connection, even when the community server is otherwise configured correctly.

Passwords

ServerPassword is the configuration parameter for requiring a password when players log in. Community listing and password protection are separate settings: -publiclobby controls community-server registration, while ServerPassword controls login authentication.

Recommendation

Use a standard dedicated server for a known group that can exchange an IP address and port and does not require Xbox or PS5 access. Use a community server when the in-game listing is needed or when Xbox or PS5 players need to join.

Sources and verification

• Palworld v1.0 Official Release ChangelogConfirms that Palworld exited Early Access and reached version 1.0 on July 10, 2026.
• About server | Palworld Server Guide 1.0.0Defines standard dedicated and community servers, explains their discovery difference, and states that Xbox and PS5 clients require a community server.
• Connect to the server | Palworld Server Guide 1.0.0Documents direct connection using an IP address and port and connection through the Community Server list.
• Configure for community server | Palworld Server Guide 1.0.0Documents the -publiclobby startup argument and the same-network limitation for routers without Hairpin NAT.
• Configure the server | Palworld Server Guide 1.0.0Defines -port, -publiclobby, -publicip, and -publicport, including the distinction between listening and advertised ports.
• Configuration parameters | Palworld Server Guide 1.0.0Documents ServerPassword and the community-server PublicIP and PublicPort settings.