How to Host a CS2 Server: Hosted, Self Hosted or Free (2026)

There are three ways to host a CS2 server. Host it with us and it is online about a minute after checkout, with the Game Server Login Token (GSLT) already in place. Host it yourself for free by downloading the game through SteamCMD (app 730, about 60 GB), adding a free GSLT and forwarding UDP port 27015. Or skip the server and start a match from the Practice menu with your party, which is free but ends when you leave. A 5v5 needs about 4 GB of RAM. This guide covers all three.

Which way should you host CS2?

The Practice lobby is fine for a quick game with bots tonight. For scrims, a practice server your team can use any time, or a community server, you need a dedicated server, at home or hosted.

How much RAM does a CS2 server need?

Far less than survival games. A fast CPU and a good network matter more, because each tick runs on a single thread and every millisecond of latency is felt in a firefight.

At home, add what your own game uses if you play on the same PC. More detail in how much RAM a game server needs.

Option 1: Host a CS2 server with GamezServers

1. Pick a plan from the table above. For a 5v5 or a practice server, Starter is plenty. New customers get 50% off the first month, so Starter is about 5 USD to start.
2. Split the bill if you like. Choose Split with friends at checkout to share it between 2 and 10 people, each paying their own share by card with a 1 USD fee per share. A Starter plan split five ways is roughly 3 USD each. Your server starts as soon as you pay your share.
3. Pay and open your server. It appears under Your servers as Setting up, then Online. The address at the top of the control panel looks like 203.0.113.10:27015. Click it to copy.
4. The GSLT is already done. A token is made for your server when it is set up and put in place before its first start. You do not need a Steam account in good standing, a phone number on it, or a visit to Steam's token page.
5. Pick the map, mode and password. The server starts in competitive mode with VAC on, ready for a 5v5. In the panel's settings you set the Start map, the Join password, and the Game type and Game mode for wingman, casual, deathmatch or arms race. Mode changes apply on the next restart.
6. Share the address. Players join from the console, as shown below.

The panel has buttons for Change map, Workshop map, Restart match, End warmup, Pause match, Broadcast, Player list, Kick player and Run a config, and the console runs any server command, so you do not need RCON for your own server. Turn on Remote console (RCON) in settings only if you use outside admin tools. Billing is monthly with no contract, and you can cancel any time from the dashboard. See billing and cancellation and the control panel guide.

Option 2: Make a CS2 server on your own PC

The CS2 dedicated server is the full game started in dedicated mode. It is free, and it runs on 64 bit Windows and Linux.

What you need:

• About 60 GB of free disk space, because the server downloads the whole game.
• Around 4 GB of RAM for a 5v5, and 6 to 8 GB for plugins or 32 players.
• A CPU with high clock speed. Clock speed matters more than core count.
• A stable, low latency connection and access to your router.
• A Steam account that is not limited, with a phone number on it, to create a GSLT.

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

• Windows: download SteamCMD from Valve, extract it to a folder such as C:\steamcmd and run steamcmd.exe once.
• Linux (Debian or Ubuntu): enable 32 bit packages and install SteamCMD. On Ubuntu you may need to enable the multiverse repository first.

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamcmd

Step 2: Download CS2

CS2 has no separate server app. The dedicated server is the game itself, app ID 730, and it downloads anonymously:

steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/cs2-server +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit

On Windows use a path like C:\cs2-server. Run the same command whenever CS2 updates, because clients cannot join an outdated server.

Linux only: CS2 looks for the Steam client library in ~/.steam/sdk64. Link it once or the server fails to start, adjusting the first path to wherever SteamCMD is installed:

mkdir -p ~/.steam/sdk64
ln -s ~/steamcmd/linux64/steamclient.so ~/.steam/sdk64/steamclient.so

Step 3: Get a Game Server Login Token

Without a GSLT, a CS2 server only works on your local network. Tokens are free:

1. Go to steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers and sign in.
2. Enter app ID 730 and a memo such as "home server".
3. Copy the token it creates.

Each server running at the same time needs its own token. Keep it private, because anyone with it can run a server under your account.

Step 4: Launch the server

On Linux, start the server from the install folder:

./game/bin/linuxsteamrt64/cs2 -dedicated -port 27015 -maxplayers 12 +map de_mirage +game_type 0 +game_mode 1 +sv_setsteamaccount YOURTOKEN

On Windows, the executable is game\bin\win64\cs2.exe with the same options. The token goes in the launch line with +sv_setsteamaccount, not in a config file you load later. The game type and mode pick what you play:

To switch mode on a running server, set both in the console and change map, for example game_type 1; game_mode 2; changelevel de_dust2.

Step 5: Configure server.cfg

Create game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg. It runs every time a map loads:

hostname "My CS2 Server"
rcon_password "change-this"
sv_password ""
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 1

• hostname: the name shown in the server browser.
• rcon_password: the password for remote admin. Always change it.
• sv_password: set a value to make the server private, leave it empty for a public server.
• mp_autoteambalance and mp_limitteams: set both to 0 for scrims so teams can be uneven while people arrive.

For match rules such as round time or overtime, CS2 runs mode specific files such as gamemode_competitive.cfg. Put your overrides in gamemode_competitive_server.cfg in the same folder so updates do not overwrite them.

Step 6: Open the ports

Forward them to the server's local IP and allow cs2 through your firewall. A second server needs its own port, for example 27017, and its own token. Our port forwarding guide covers the router side. Ports cannot be forwarded on connections behind CGNAT, see how to tell if you are behind CGNAT. With a home server, your upload speed sets everyone's ping.

Friends connect with your public IP, as in the next section. Public servers with a token also appear in the Community Server Browser, where players can add them to Favorites.

Option 3: Host a free match from the Practice menu

1. Turn on the console: Settings, Game, Enable Developer Console, Yes.
2. Invite your friends to your party from the friends list.
3. Go to Play, Practice, choose a mode and map and press Go.
4. Your party loads into a match running on your PC. Add bots with bot_add_t or bot_add_ct, and turn on practice tools with sv_cheats 1.

Everyone's ping depends on your PC and upload speed, the match ends if you leave or crash, and people outside your party cannot find or join it. More in how to play CS2 with friends and bots.

How do players join a CS2 server?

1. In Counter-Strike 2, open Settings, then Game, and set Enable Developer Console to Yes.
2. Press the ~ key to open the console.
3. If the server has a password, type password followed by it and press Enter.
4. Type connect followed by the address, for example connect 203.0.113.10:27015, and press Enter.

Being kicked straight back to the menu usually means the password step was skipped.

What are the catches with hosting for free?

• Electricity. A desktop drawing 120 W for a four hour scrim night uses about 0.5 kWh, which is pennies. Left on all month, it uses about 86 kWh, roughly 13 USD at 0.15 USD per kWh or 26 USD at 0.30 USD per kWh. For an always on server, power alone can cost more than a hosted one.
• Your home IP is exposed to every player. See is hosting a game server at home safe.
• Updates are frequent. Valve patches CS2 often, and nobody can join until you run SteamCMD again.
• Free cloud machines rarely work. Always free virtual machines usually have 1 GB of RAM or less on x86, far below the 4 GB CS2 needs. Free ARM machines cannot run the x86 only CS2 server natively. A 60 GB install and the traffic from 10 players can exceed free storage and bandwidth, and trial credit runs out after a month or so. See free vs paid game server hosting.

How do you play Workshop maps on a CS2 server?

Run host_workshop_map followed by the map's Workshop ID, in the console or the launch line. On our servers the Workshop map button does the same. The server downloads the map and players get it when they connect. Collections, map rotations and common errors are in how to play CS2 Workshop maps on a server.

For learning smokes, our CS2 practice server config has a ready to paste file with sv_cheats 1, infinite ammo and grenade trajectories.

How do you add plugins and admins?

Community servers run plugins through Metamod:Source with CounterStrikeSharp on top, which powers retakes, practice mode, admin menus and match systems. On our servers, upload them with the file manager or SFTP into game/csgo/addons.

Metamod is loaded by a line in game/csgo/gameinfo.gi, and CS2 updates replace that file. On our servers the Metamod line is added back by itself on the next start. At home, check the line after every update and add it back. Either way, Metamod or CounterStrikeSharp may need their own update after a big patch. See CS2 Metamod not loading after an update.

For in game admin commands through CounterStrikeSharp plugins, add yourself to addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/admins.json:

{
  "YourName": {
    "identity": "76561198000000000",
    "flags": ["@css/root"]
  }
}

Backups, updates and upgrades

• Backups: on our servers, press Backup before changing configs or plugins. Each server keeps 3.
• Updates: our servers update CS2 on every restart. At home, run the SteamCMD command again.
• Sleep when empty: our servers stop after 4 days with nobody on them, and anyone with access starts them in one click. Turn it off in Settings for a public community server.
• Upgrading: pick a bigger plan in Settings. The price is prorated and the new RAM applies after a restart.

Common problems

• Server not in the browser, friends cannot connect: no token, an invalid token, or UDP 27015 not forwarded. Check the console for token errors on startup.
• "Cert request for invalid failed with reason code 5005": a token problem. See CS2 server GSLT token errors. On our servers, email support@gamezservers.com and we will issue a new token.
• Linux server exits straight away with a steamclient error: the steamclient.so link from Step 2 is missing.
• "Server is running an older version": update the server and restart.
• Plugins stopped working after an update: Metamod or CounterStrikeSharp needs updating, or at home the Metamod line in gameinfo.gi is gone.
• Rubber banding: usually upload bandwidth or CPU. Close other heavy programs, or host somewhere with a better connection.

FAQ

Is the CS2 dedicated server free?

Yes. It downloads free through SteamCMD as app 730 with an anonymous login, and Game Server Login Tokens are free too.

How much does it cost to host a CS2 server?

With us, from 9.99 USD a month for 4 GB, which covers a 5v5. New customers get 50% off the first month, and the bill can be split with up to 10 people.

Do I need a GSLT to host a CS2 server?

Yes, for players to join over the internet and for the server to appear in the browser. Without one, CS2 limits connections to LAN only. On our servers the token is made for you.

Is 4 GB enough for a CS2 server?

For a 5v5, practice or wingman, yes. Go to 6 or 8 GB for plugin heavy community servers or 32 players.

Can I make my CS2 server private?

Yes. Set a join password in our panel, or sv_password in server.cfg at home, and only people with the password can join.

Can I host a CS2 server with bots?

Yes. Add them with bot_add_t and bot_add_ct in the console, or set bot_quota to fill empty slots.

Can friends join my Practice match from outside my party?

No. Practice matches only include the party that loaded in together. For anyone to join any time, you need a dedicated server.

Can I host CS2 on a free cloud VM?

Usually not. Free x86 machines have too little RAM, and free ARM machines cannot run the x86 only CS2 server natively.

See CS2 server hosting to pick a plan and get your team on a server tonight.