Hosting a Counter-Strike: Source server
Counter-Strike: Source is Valve's 2004 remake of Counter-Strike on the Source engine, and it still has an active community server scene running classic bomb defusal alongside surf, bhop, zombie escape, jailbreak, deathrun and gun game. This page is about Source; for Counter-Strike 2, see our Counter-Strike server hosting page.
The Counter-Strike: Source Dedicated Server Tool is free through SteamCMD for Windows and Linux. CS:S servers can hold up to 64 players, though the real limit is often the map's spawn points. Almost every custom mode runs on SourceMod and Metamod:Source, so plugin support is the first thing to check on any host.
What to compare
- SourceMod and Metamod support. Admin tools, ranks, zombie and jailbreak modes, and surf timers are all plugins. Make sure you can install, update and configure them.
- Custom maps and FastDL. Surf, bhop and community maps need uploading, and a FastDL web host lets players download them quickly when they join.
- CPU and tickrate. Surf and bhop servers often run a higher tickrate for smoother movement, and large zombie servers push player counts up. Both need strong single-core performance.
- Slot count. A 10-player match server and a 64-player zombie escape server are very different loads. Compare plans by the slots and mode you plan to run.
- Config access. server.cfg, map cycles and admin lists are plain files, so direct file access saves a lot of time.
- DDoS protection and ping. Public CS:S servers attract attacks, and hit registration depends on a datacentre close to your players.
See the current Counter-Strike: Source hosting deals for offers from listed providers. For a whole machine, see dedicated servers.
Counter-Strike: Source server hosting FAQ
How many players can a CS:S server hold?
Up to 64, set with the maxplayers launch option. Each map also limits the count through its spawn points, so check your maps suit the size you want.
Can I run surf, zombie or jailbreak modes?
Yes. These modes run on SourceMod and Metamod:Source plugins with custom maps, so choose a host that allows plugin installs and map uploads.
Is Counter-Strike: Source the same as CS2?
No. They are separate games with separate servers, maps and plugins, and a CS:S server cannot run CS2.
Can I host a CS:S server for free?
Yes, if you run the free Dedicated Server Tool yourself on Windows or Linux. It is only online while that machine is on, so public communities usually rent a server.
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