Permafrost Dedicated Server: Status and Alternatives
Updated:
Quick answer: No. Permafrost has no dedicated server support at Early Access launch (October 2026). All co-op sessions are player-hosted: the host's PC is the server, and the world only exists while the host is online.
What "no dedicated servers" means in practice
- The world save lives on the host's machine; when the host logs off, the world is offline for everyone.
- All quest and world progress is tied to the host's save.
- Characters are world-bound — no transferring between hosts.
- The player cap is 4 total, including the host; a dedicated box would not raise it.
What third-party server hosts actually sell
Server providers (Survival Servers lists the game as not yet available; GTX Gaming has taken pre-orders) are advertising capacity for a dedicated-server product that does not exist yet. As of October 13, 2026 there is nothing real to rent. Don't pre-pay expecting a working server this month.
Your alternatives today
- Pick the most-available player as host — the one with the most playtime and the most stable PC.
- Keep the host's PC online when the group wants to play; the host doesn't have to be active, just present in the world.
- Host discipline: save before anyone leaves; autosave can be stale.
- A spare PC or laptop that meets the system requirements can act as a makeshift always-on host — it's still player-hosted, just dedicated-ish.
Will official dedicated servers come?
The developers haven't announced dedicated servers. The Early Access plan focuses on content (biomes, quests, NPCs, vehicles) for at least 12 months. If server support is announced, it will appear on the Steam news hub and our updates page.
FAQ
Can I run a headless server from the game files? No server binaries ship with the current build.
Do I need to port-forward? Sessions run through Steam's networking; no manual port forwarding is documented.
Related: Co-op guide · Can't join friends · Crossplay status
Related guides
- Permafrost Co-op: Hosting, Joining and Save RulesCo-op is 1–4 players, player-hosted, PvE only. The host owns the save, guests need to be at the main menu for Steam invites, and there are no dedicated servers yet.
- Permafrost Crossplay: Steam, GOG, Epic and ConsolesCrossplay status: cross-store play isn't live, Steam–Epic is reportedly in development, GOG unconfirmed, and consoles are a 1.0-era question.
- Permafrost: Can't Join Friends? Every Known FixServer browser not showing your friend's world, greyed-out multiplayer or failed invites — here are the fixes that work after the October co-op patches.