Counter-Strike 2 friend-server hosting — a private CS2 server for your five-stack
You want a CS2 server where your mates can practise, run 10-mans, or mess around with workshop maps, without relying on someone's home PC. This page is not the same as the Counter-Strike 2 overview. It covers the small-group setup.
The job: 5–10 friends, practice configs, low ping
- Players: a 5v5 scrim needs 10 slots (plus a couple for spectators or a coach).
- Configs and maps: practice/retake configs and Workshop maps need a host with file access. Each host's mod support is listed on its own page.
- Ping: CS2 is a tick-sensitive shooter, so node location matters more than RAM.
Comparison: who sells CS2 for a friend group
Each host's CS2 URL was checked with a full live GET on 24 Oct 2026 (NZDT). Prices are set by each host, in USD. TBD = no clear dollar figure in the page we fetched. 404 = the product URL returned 404 / no CS2 SKU found.
| Host | CS2? | Friend-sized plan | Oceania | Approx. monthly (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nodecraft | Sells (200) | Budget Wake & Play / Premium 24/7, 2 GB | Sydney & Melbourne listed network-wide | Budget $5.96 (first month $4.17) · Premium $9.98 (first month $6.99)/mo Nodecraft labels the Budget plan “not recommended for this game”. | Clearest printed prices. |
| Shockbyte | Sells (200) | Fixed tiers | Australian company; CS2 node TBD | TBD No clear CS2 dollar figure in the HTML we fetched today. | Fixed tiers. |
| BisectHosting | Sells (200) | Per-GB plans | Check Sydney stock | TBD No clear CS2 dollar figure in the HTML we fetched. | Mod support. |
| Apex Hosting | 404 | CS2 URL returned 404 | — | — | Not an option for CS2 today. |
| PebbleHost | 404 | CS2 URL returned 404 | — | — | Not an option for CS2 today. |
| GameTeam | 404 | CS2 URL returned 404 | — | — | Not an option for CS2 today. |
Oceania notes
From NZ/AU, a US node adds well over 150 ms. That's fine for casual games but not for practice. Confirm an AU location before you pay. See the Oceania ping guide.
Price honesty
We only list prices the host prints clearly. Nothing here is invented. Both Nodecraft 2 GB plans sit under the budget under ~$20 line.
Official links (affiliate placeholders)
Related
Affiliate disclosure
HostForTheSquad may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Commission rates don't decide table rows. Prices and stock change, so check on the host's site before you pay.