Professional CS2 Server Hosting
Launch your own Counter-Strike 2 server in minutes. Ryzen 9 processing power, the Metamod:Source and CounterStrikeSharp plugin framework and a Web Panel that manages map, game mode and RCON settings from a single screen.
- Automatic
- Setup with SteamCMD
- 4-8 GB
- RAM options
- Metamod + CSS
- Plugin framework in one setting
- L3/4 + L7
- DDoS protection
Every Bullet Counts. So Does Your Server.
CS2's sub-tick system timestamps every shot, so the server's CPU clock speed directly decides how consistent hit registration feels. Our servers run on high clock-speed Ryzen 9 processors with NVMe SSD storage, and map changes complete in seconds.
Automatic Setup
Your server is created right after payment and the game files are downloaded from Valve's servers with SteamCMD.
Easy Control Panel
Change map, game mode, player slots, password and GSLT settings from a single screen.
Hardware Protection
Professional DDoS protection tuned for game traffic keeps your matches running.
Plan Options.
Transparent pricing, serious power. Professional plans with automatic setup.
CS2 Starter
Ideal for 5v5 matches, Wingman and servers with friends.
- 2 Cores (Ryzen 9)
- 4 GB RAM
- 90 GB NVMe SSD Disk
- DDoS Protection (Free)
- Metamod + CounterStrikeSharp
- Easy Management via Web Panel
CS2 Professional
For community servers with plugins and 20+ players.
- 3 Cores (Ryzen 9)
- 6 GB RAM
- 100 GB NVMe SSD Disk
- DDoS Protection (Free)
- Metamod + CounterStrikeSharp
- Easy Management via Web Panel
CS2 Extreme
For full servers, heavy plugin use and Workshop maps.
- 4 Cores (Ryzen 9)
- 8 GB RAM
- 120 GB NVMe SSD Disk
- DDoS Protection (Free)
- Metamod + CounterStrikeSharp
- Easy Management via Web Panel
Server Sizing Guide
How many players and how many plugins? Pick your plan based on how you will use the server.
Choose the Right Plan5v5 and Wingman · Starter
4 GB RAM is enough for team practice, friendly matches and small tournaments. It comfortably handles 10 to 16 players on competitive settings.
Community · Professional
For deathmatch, retake, surf and other plugin servers with more than 20 players, 6 GB RAM and 3 cores are recommended.
Full Server · Extreme
8 GB RAM and 4 cores for more than 32 players, many CounterStrikeSharp plugins and Workshop maps.
Rent a CS2 Server, Play Your Matches on Your Own Server.
Renting a CS2 server is the easiest way to practice with your team, bring your community together and play by your own rules. Setting up a CS2 server on AnkSOFT is fully automatic: once your payment is confirmed, your server is created, the game files are downloaded with SteamCMD and your Web Panel details are sent to you.
The CS2 Manager button at the bottom right of the panel opens a screen where you change the map in one click, pick a game mode preset, install plugins and manage players and the RCON console. Maximum player count, server name and password are on the Startup tab. The RCON password is generated randomly for you during setup. Once you enter a Steam Game Server Login Token (GSLT), your server also appears in the community server browser.
The main loop of a CS2 server runs largely on a single core. High frequency Ryzen 9 processors keep frame times short even in crowded fights and keep sub-tick hit registration consistent.
A CS2 installation takes about 70 GB. The NVMe SSD space in our plans is sized up front for game files, updates, Workshop maps and plugins.
Competitive servers attract attacks; Layer 3/4 and Layer 7 DDoS protection tuned for game traffic is standard on every plan.
CS2 has no tickrate setting. Valve's sub-tick system processes movement and shooting commands together with the moment they happened instead of rounding them to a tick boundary; the old 64 versus 128 tick debate has been replaced by the server's processing power.
That is why CPU frequency and network quality matter more than RAM in good CS2 server hosting. Our servers run in our data center in Germany on a high bandwidth network, a balanced location for players connecting from Turkey and Europe.
With automatic updates on, your server downloads Valve's latest build on every start; when a CS2 update is released, simply restart the server. If the plugin framework is enabled, Metamod:Source and CounterStrikeSharp are installed in fixed versions reviewed by AnkSOFT.
Plugin Support with Metamod and CounterStrikeSharp
CS2 plugins are built on Metamod:Source, and CounterStrikeSharp is the most widely used framework for running plugins written in C#. Thousands of plugins such as admin menus, retake and deathmatch modes, weapon selection, statistics and ranking systems run on this framework.
On the AnkSOFT panel, open CS2 Manager > Plugins, turn on the plugin framework and pick open source plugins such as MatchZy, Retakes and Advanced Deathmatch in one click. When the server restarts, Metamod, CounterStrikeSharp and your plugins are installed in fixed versions with sha256 verification, and the setting required after game updates is applied on every start. You can upload plugins that are not on the list to the game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins folder.
Plugin setup in 3 steps
Pick your plugins
In CS2 Manager > Plugins, turn on the framework, tick the plugins you want and save.
Restart the server
The selected plugins are installed on start. Plugin folders that are not on the list can be dropped into the plugins folder with the file manager or SFTP.
Configure and grant permissions
Edit plugin settings in the configs folder and define admin permissions in admins.json.
Most popular plugin categories
- Admin tools: kick, ban and map change menus.
- Retake and Execute: fast practice with bomb site scenarios.
- Deathmatch and aim: weapon selection, instant respawn, warmup servers.
- Statistics and ranking: player points, scoreboards, rank systems.
- Map voting: end of match votes and map rotation management.
- Matches and tournaments: ready systems, automatic demos, team management.
CS2 Game Modes
You choose the game mode with a single panel setting. All of the modes below run on the same plan.
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Competitive (5v5)
Bomb defusal in MR12 format. The standard for team practice and tournaments. The Starter plan handles it with ease.
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Wingman (2v2)
Two player teams on smaller maps. The lightest mode for quick matches and duo practice.
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Casual
Bigger teams and relaxed rules. A good fit for community nights and new players.
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Deathmatch
Instant respawns and constant action. Popular for warmup servers; as players increase, CPU frequency becomes decisive.
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Arms Race
A new weapon with every kill. A classic, short and fast paced mode for fun servers.
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Custom and Modded
Community modes such as retake, surf, bhop and 1v1 arenas are built with CounterStrikeSharp plugins. A higher plan is recommended for servers with many plugins.
Map and Game Mode Settings
The game mode you choose in the panel is translated into the server's launch settings automatically. Just type the map name or the ID of a Workshop map.
| Panel setting | Mode | Suggested players | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| competitive | Competitive | 10 | Default setting. Starts with competitive maps such as de_dust2, de_mirage, de_inferno, de_nuke, de_ancient and de_anubis. |
| wingman | Wingman | 4 | Small maps for two player teams. The mode with the lowest resource use. |
| casual / deathmatch | Casual, Deathmatch | 16-32 | Crowded servers. As player count grows, the Professional or Extreme plan is recommended. |
| custom | Modded | Depends on plugin | For CounterStrikeSharp modes such as retake, surf and 1v1. The rules are set by the plugin. |
If the Workshop Map ID field is filled in, the server starts with that map; if you leave it empty, the official map in the Map field is used.
What Is a GSLT and How Do You Get One?
The Steam Game Server Login Token (GSLT) is a 32 character key that lets your server identify itself to Steam. You get it for free with your Steam account at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers by entering App ID 730, then paste it into the GSLT field in the panel.
With a GSLT
- The server appears in the community server browser.
- Players find the server in the list or connect by IP address.
- VAC protection runs enabled.
Without a GSLT
- The server starts and players can connect by IP address only (connect command).
- It does not appear in the server browser; the console shows this as a warning.
- Enter the token later and restart the server, that is all.
You can enter the token while ordering or add it later from CS2 Manager > GSLT in the panel. Use a separate token for each server; the same token does not work on two servers at the same time. Your RCON password for remote management is shown on your service page and on the Startup tab of the panel.
Related Game Servers
Looking for a different kind of server? See our Game Server Hosting page for every game, or check our Rust Server Hosting and FiveM Server Hosting plans for another competitive multiplayer experience. Advanced users who want to manage their server with full root access can choose Buy VDS for unlimited control on their own operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until my CS2 server is ready?
Once your payment is confirmed, your server is created automatically and the CS2 files are downloaded directly from Valve's servers with SteamCMD. When setup finishes, the server starts on its own and your panel details are sent by email.
What happens if I do not enter a GSLT?
The server starts and players can connect by IP address, but it does not appear in the community server browser. Get a free token at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers with App ID 730, paste it into CS2 Manager > GSLT in the panel and restart the server; the screen also walks you through getting the token.
How do I change the map and game mode?
Press the CS2 Manager button at the bottom right of the panel. On the Map tab, click an official map and the server switches to it right away; for a Workshop map or collection, paste its ID or page address. On the Game Mode tab, pick one of the Competitive, Casual, Wingman, Deathmatch, Arms Race, Retake, Practice and Aim / 1v1 presets and restart the server.
Can I install plugins?
Yes. In CS2 Manager > Plugins you turn on the Metamod:Source and CounterStrikeSharp framework and install or remove open source plugins from the list (MatchZy, Retakes, Advanced Deathmatch and more) in one click; plugins are downloaded in fixed versions with sha256 verification. Plugins that are not on the list can be uploaded to the game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins folder with the file manager or SFTP.
Is there a tickrate setting on a CS2 server?
No. CS2 uses Valve's sub-tick system; shooting and movement commands are processed together with the moment they happened. That is why there is no 64 or 128 tick setting, and the server's processing power determines how consistent hit registration is.
Where do I find my RCON password?
The RCON password is generated randomly during setup. You can see it on your service page and on the Startup tab of the Web Panel, and you can change it from the panel if you like.
How do I manage players?
The CS2 Manager > Players tab lists the players and bots on your server; use the Kick button next to a player to remove them from the server and add or remove bots. From the Console tab you can send RCON commands and run frequent actions such as restarting the round or ending warmup in one click.
How much RAM and how many cores do I need?
4 GB RAM and 2 cores (Starter) are enough for 5v5 competitive matches and Wingman. For community servers with plugins, 6 GB and 3 cores (Professional) are recommended, and for more than 32 players with many plugins, 8 GB and 4 cores (Extreme).
Why does disk space start at 90 GB?
A CS2 server installation takes about 70 GB. The space in each plan leaves room for updates, Workshop maps, demo recordings and plugins on top of the game files.
Where is my server hosted?
Our CS2 servers are hosted in our data center in Germany on nodes with Ryzen 9 processors and NVMe SSD storage. The location is balanced for players connecting from Turkey and Europe.
Is DDoS protection included?
Yes. Hardware Layer 3/4 and Layer 7 DDoS protection tuned for game traffic is free and standard on all of our CS2 servers.
Your CS2 Server Is Ready, Your Team Is Waiting.
Launch your own Counter-Strike 2 server today with a Ryzen 9 processor, NVMe SSD storage, DDoS protection and the plugin framework. Our expert team is one message away if you have questions.