Classic shooters are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in recent times. Regardless of the platform, the reasons are similar: lack of ideas for new games, too high system requirements, or high price.
With this in view, good old team fortress two seems an ideal option for competitive multiplayer. So, we have prepared a guide on tf2 server hosting, tf2 system requirements, and a list of some of the best tf2 server hosting providers.
Let’s begin with a brief intro about tf2, if you somehow don’t know what is tf2. It is a first-person, class-based cooperative shooter. It became popular due to its simple, though very challenging, amusing, and to some extent addictive gameplay, which is certainly one of the best team fortress 2 features.
Players form teams and fight for domination in a traditional BLUE and RED teams competition for a combat-based objective in up to 17 game modes. In addition, tf2 game allows gamers to choose among nine character classes, each with its unique strengths, weaknesses, and weapon sets. Sounds familiar, right?
Teamfortress two was developed by Valve Corporation. The release took place in 2007. As for the team fortress 2 platforms, the game is available on pc, ps4, and xbox. Since the game drew the first breath quite long ago, you may wonder, is tf 2 free to play? Absolutely right; as it happened to many of the similar tf2 games genres, team fortress is now free on Steam. This is another reason why tf2 servers are so popular.
Minimum Team Fortress 2 server Hosting Requirement
If you plan to set up and host a tf2 server, hardware and system resources are the first things to pay attention to. If we take a look at the minimum team fortress 2 system requirements, they are the following:
- Processor: 1.7 GHz Processor or better
- Memory: 512 MB RAM
- DirectX: Version 8.1
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 15 GB of available space
As we can see, the requirements for the game itself are not very high. However, if you plan to be a tf2 server host, you need a better machine: Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better), 1 GB RAM, and Version 9.0c of DirectX. But again, the game is quite old, so the server hosting tf2 system req are not very high as well.
The Top 6 TF2 Server Hosting Providers
Renting tf2 dedicated servers is the best opportunity to experience all the benefits mentioned above. For our review, we compared multiple server hosting companies and prepared a list of 6 top tf2 providers.
- GTX Gaming – Perfect Option for Big Teams
- Host Havoc – Good All-round Host
- PingPerfect – Comprehensive Support
- Nitrous Networks – Classic Gameplay
- Streamline servers – By Gamers for Gamers
- Gameservers – Excellent Performance
Best TF2 Servers Hosting in Details
Now, let’s highlight and compare the main features, strengths, and weaknesses of each tf2 server hoster. We primarily focused on allocated resources, usability, prices, and key distinctive peculiarities.
1. GTX Gaming – Perfect Option for Big Teams
GTX Gaming is the first provider on our list. The company offers instant setup, easy game switching, and offsite backups. As for the data center locations, there are 17 opportunities all over the world. Some of them, however, may require extra payments.
The advanced admin panel is another prominent feature of GTX Gaming hosting. First, it is really user-friendly. Multiple drop-down menus and elegant sliders allow players to set up server configuration quickly. Moreover, you can share duties with your friends by creating sub-users and giving them the permissions you choose. Lastly, experienced experts can use text editors and full FTP access to manually configure their servers.
Pricing starts at £5 (approximately $5.9) per 10 slots monthly. This server set provides up to 5 GB RAM, 4.2 GHz CPU Clock speed, average CPU priority, and ordinary support priority, which, nevertheless, responds very quickly. Better system parameters require additional payments.
KEY FEATURES
Price: from $5.9 per month (10 slots)
RAM: 5–32 GB
Free trial: No
Players: 10–64
Control panel: Custom
DDoS protection: Yes
Mods allowed: Yes
Instant setup: Yes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Multiple server locations
Custom control panels
Great performance
Possible switching between games
Access to a dedicated Discord page for support
|
Knowledgebase could be larger
No free trial
|
2. Host Havoc – Good All-round Host
Host Havoc is among the providers that offer decent balanced services. Multiple server locations ensure fast, lag-free connection while powerful hardware guarantees outstanding performance. One of the best data centers and reliable uplinks provide 99.9% uptime guarantee. At the same time, an advanced control panel allows you to manage your game easily.
Pricing starts at $0.5 per slot monthly with a minimum set of 8 game slots. Quarterly-long billing cycle offers a 5% discount. Important to mention that players have a 72-hour money-back guarantee if they are dissatisfied with the services.
KEY FEATURES
Price: from $4 per month (8 slots)
RAM: 8–16 GB
Free trial: No
Players: 8–32
Control panel: TCAdmin
DDoS protection: Yes
Mods allowed: Yes
Instant setup: Yes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
99.9% uptime guarantee
72-hour Risk-Free Money-Back Guarantee
Easy mod support
Free DDoS protection
Relatively low price per slot
|
Not the largest number of server locations
No free trial
|
3. PingPerfect – Comprehensive Support
If you choose to host tf2 server via PingPerfect, you can forget about troubles. Instant setup, highly skilled support team, and full backup system guarantee a smooth gaming experience. At the same time, with the 48-hour trial period, you can double-check whether your expectations meet the company’s services.
PingPerfect possesses more than 30 various servers, some with extra performance. At the same time, a powerful and easy-to-use control panel offers multiple configuration options. These features make server hosting flexible and adjustable with the game switching.
Pricing starts at $3.08 per month for 8 game slots. However, platinum support service, high CPU priority, and hosting on NVMe may greatly increase the price for the same number of game slots.
KEY FEATURES
Price: from $3.08 per month (8 slots)
RAM: 2–12 GB
Free trial: Yes
Players: 8–32
Control panel: TCAdmin
DDoS protection: Yes
Mods allowed: Yes
Instant setup: Yes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
48-hour free trial period
Multiple server locations
Great support
Free web-hosting
Relatively low price for basic settings
|
Services of higher priority cost a lot
Data centers’ locations with higher performance require additional payments
|
4. Nitrous Networks – Classic Gameplay
Nitrous Networks is one of the tf2 server host providers that focuses on best game performance. The company offers an unlimited amount of allocated RAM, so players may not worry about lags or any other problems. In addition, free mistforums, free MySQL, and free web hosting make this company really a good option. At the same time, we should mention that there are not so many server locations. Furthermore, they are all located in the western hemisphere.
Another interesting point is that this provider focuses on classic gameplay. So, if you prefer enjoying tf2 item server or tf2 fun servers, this is not the best option.
Pricing starts at $5.3 per 10 slots monthly. However, there is an already predetermined server setting with a fixed number of 32 game slots.
KEY FEATURES
Price: from $5.3 per month (10 slots)
RAM: Unlimited
Free trial: No
Players: 10-64 or 32
Control panel: TCAdmin
DDoS protection: Yes
Mods allowed: No
Instant setup: Yes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Unlimited RAM allocation
Free web hosting
Easy setup management
Free DDoS protection
|
A relatively small number of server locations
No mods allowed
|
5. Streamline servers – By Gamers for Gamers
Streamline servers offer an excellent low-ping connection. Multiple server locations across the globe guarantee low latency. You can also enjoy a one-click mods installation system, so there is much room for game customization.
At the same time, the powerful control panel, with its flexible design and versatile features, allows players to easily manage the server setup.
Billing is also user-oriented. There are multiple parameters on how to choose the best tf2 server configuration. Pricing starts at $7.5 per 10 slots for a month-long subscription. You can additionally purchase higher CPU speed and CPU priority. An annual subscription can save up to 20%, but some server locations may require extra payments.
KEY FEATURES
Price: from $7.5 per month (10 slots)
RAM: 8–16 GB
Free trial: No
Players: 10–32
Control panel: Custom
DDoS protection: Yes
Mods allowed: Yes
Instant setup: Yes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Many data centers
Advanced control panel
Easy mods installation
Accepts Bitcoin
|
Relatively high price
Some server locations may require extra payments
|
6. Gameservers – Excellent Performance
Gameservers provider offers truly low-ping game hosting due to a worldwide network. In addition, you can easily migrate to other data centers with the help of an advanced control panel.
Simple tf2 server configuration and customization, as well as instant plugins and mods installation, allow players to experience their unique gameplay.
Pricing starts at $0.79 (private server) or $0.99 (public one) per slot monthly. Players can additionally purchase a variety of voice servers.
KEY FEATURES
Price: from $7.9 per month (10 slots)
RAM: 16-64 GB
Free trial: No
Players: 10-32
Control panel: Custom
DDoS protection: Yes
Mods allowed: Yes
Instant setup: Yes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Multiple server locations
Free location switches
Enterprise-level hardware
Voice servers
|
No free trial
The website could contain more information
|
Team Fortress 2 Servers Hosting Comparison
Can’t wait to challenge the best tf2 players on your own server? Let’s briefly summarize our review of tf2 providers.
| Hosting | Pricing / mo (starting at) |
RAM | Free trial | Players limit | Control panel | DDoS protection | Mods | Instant setup |
| GTX Gaming | $5.9 | 5GB | No | 10-64 | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Host Havoc | $4 | 8GB | No | 8-32 | TCAdmin | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PingPerfect | $3.08 | 2GB | Yes | 8-32 | TCAdmin | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nitrous Networks | $5.3 | Unlimited | No | 10-64 / 32 | TCAdmin | Yes | No | Yes |
| Streamline servers | $7.5 | 8GB | No | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Gameservers | $7.9 | 16GB | No | 10-32 | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Choose The Best TF2 Server Hosting Provider
We analyzed and compared tens of tf 2 hosting companies and prepared a list of the best ones. Despite the fact we based our review exclusively on data, many may disagree with our depiction, obviously, because everyone focuses on these or those features and prioritize them respectively: performance, price, reliability, etc.
If you wonder how to choose the best tf 2 server hosting provider, get the max of your own dedicated server, and make a tf2 hosting as efficient as possible, pay attention to the following crucial moments.
- Performance. All gamers expect problem-free gameplay with the best possible game settings. For this, you must ensure the hosting provider possesses powerful hardware.
- Data centers locations. Gameplay without lagging or crashing also requires an excellent connection. Multiple server locations contribute to a smooth gaming experience.
- Price of services. Is tf2 free? Yes. Is tf 2 server rental free? Definitely not. However, in most cases, there are no specific reasons to pay the price much higher than the average market price.
- Support and knowledge base. Even if you perfectly know tf2 how to create a server, set it up properly, and manage all the processes, you can still face some challenges. Reliable support service is always an advantage.
- Mods availability. Vanilla Team Fortress 2 is a good game. However, if you want to enjoy a truly unique tf2 gaming experience, you’d better pay attention to various mods. It’s wise to double-check in advance whether the particular hosting provider supports mods installation.
These parameters form a basis for choosing a team fortress two server provider that can ensure a pleasant gaming experience.
Benefits Of Running Your Own TF 2 Server Hosting
Before we move to our tf2 serverlist, let’s describe some of the main advantages of a dedicated server. Setting up and running a server requires time, resources, money, and in some cases, knowledge and expertise. Is the game worth the candle?
Control
Running your own tf 2 server allows you to control every aspect of the technical and gaming processes. First, you adjust the game to your vision while configuring the settings. Second, you can customize the game with any mods available. Finally, with advanced admin panels, a player can be a true manager of the game.
Modification
Team Fortress 2 is a highly customizable game. You can modify characters, weapons, or maps. For this reason, you need tf2 items servers, for example, a particular tf2 custom weapon server, which allows players to change the whole system of weaponry. Finally, gamers can create special tf2 achievements servers to further boost competition and gain valuable attainments.
Reliability
Gamers usually rent tf2 servers. Hosting providers have multiple server locations all over the world. Distributed data centers guarantee excellent network connection. Moreover, skilled support services are 24/7 ready to help solve any issue.
Performance
Hosting a server always requires higher system parameters than simply playing a game. Whether you host a server on your own or rent it via a specialized provider, you have great hardware. Consequently, you can enjoy the outstanding game performance and an unforgettable gaming experience.
Paying for Teamfortress Two Hosting vs. Hosting Yourself
Teamfortress two is an outstanding game that truly impacted the whole genre of competitive team-based multiplayer. The fact that it is still popular 15 years after release is solid proof. Consequently, server hosting for tf 2 is still on the agenda, in particular, what is better – host on your own or rent?
Being a host personally is an opportunity to get free tf2 server hosting. In addition, this is a good option for small teams of friends who do not want to involve third parties in the gaming process.
On the other hand, renting a server via a specialized provider offers many advantages in terms of usability and resources. Even if you are the best tf2 player, you need some expertise to set up and run a dedicated server. Companies always provide instant server setup, comprehensive support, and flexible management via a powerful admin panel.
Moreover, providers invest a lot in their hardware resources and networks. As a result, players can enjoy excellent performance and lag-free gameplay. The next point is game customization. With simple mods installation, you play even tf2 times 10 servers with your unique features and items. Finally, specialized companies take care of safety and backup systems, so your data is always secure.
Final Thoughts
Is Team Fortress 2 popular? Sure! So no wonder there are so many inquiries about tf 2 dedicated servers, the pros and cons of hosting a server on your own or renting it, and the best tf 2 hosting providers.
Renting a server via a specialized provider offers multiple advantages, like immense hardware, solid network connections, and an advanced security system. At the same time, instant server setups, support, backups, one-click mods installation, and easy server management via admin panels make server rental an ideal choice for problem-free competitive gameplay.
That is why there are so many well-played teams at each server, like gameserver kings that participate in regular tournaments. Check our list of the best team fortress 2 server providers and assemble our own victorious team.
