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Head-to-head · CS2 Server Hosting

DatHost vs Shockbyte

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score DatHost #2 in CS2 Server Hosting 9.3/10 €0.99 per slot · 14-day refund ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit DatHost
Shockbyte #6 in CS2 Server Hosting 8.6/10 Paid plans · price varies by game ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Shockbyte

DatHost leads on 2 checks, Shockbyte on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDatHost · 9.3/10
  • Most featuresDatHost · 4 of 5

DatHost scores higher on our rubric for cs2 server hosting: 9.3 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

DatHost leads on locations: 49 locations versus 13 locations. DatHost leads on refund window: 14 days versus 3 days.

DatHost is the better fit for teams, leagues and match platforms. Shockbyte is the better fit for friend groups running casual scrims.

  • DatHost fits best

    Teams, leagues and match platforms

  • Shockbyte fits best

    Friend groups running casual scrims

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Side by side

Feature DatHost 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Shockbyte 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.6
Ranking #2 in CS2 Server Hosting #6 in CS2 Server Hosting
Best for Teams, leagues and match platforms Friend groups running casual scrims
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price €0.99 per slot · 14-day refund $9.99/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial Not checked yet Not checked yet
Features DatHost 4/5 · Shockbyte 1/5
Plugin support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Workshop maps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Game switching ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Server API ✓ (best) Not checked yet
DDoS protection ✓ ✓
Specs
Entry slots Not checked yet Not checked yet
Locations 49 locations (best) 13 locations
Refund window 14 days (best) 3 days
Priced by Per slot (EUR 0.99), euro pricing only Fixed plans by RAM
Our review
Pros
  • 49 locations, from Johannesburg and Bahrain to São Paulo and Seoul
  • Public API and platform tools for leagues and match services
  • One-click MetaMod plugins such as scrims, practice and Fake RCON
  • Built-in GOTV and demo recording plus live match restarts
  • CS:GO server hosting included with every CS2 purchase
  • 72-hour self-serve refund
Cons
  • Prices are published in euros only, €0.99 per slot
  • The default 14 slots work out at €13.86 a month
  • About 20 games in total, so not a general-purpose game host
  • 2 GB entry plan is $9.99, above per-GB rivals
  • Plugin support sits in a collapsed FAQ, not a guide
  • No trial or free tier to try first
Our verdict

DatHost is built around Counter-Strike, and it shows. Servers can be moved instantly to any of 49 locations, from Frankfurt and Stockholm to Johannesburg, Bahrain, Querétaro and Auckland, and the dashboard stores demos, gives you a free…

Read the review →

Shockbyte packages CS2 for people who want a match server without configuration work. Plans come with pre-loaded game configs, one-click controls, instant map switching, live match restarts, RCON and built-in GOTV with demo recording, and…

Read the review →
  1. DatHostCS2 Server Hosting 9.3€0.99 per slot · 14-day refund
  2. ShockbyteCS2 Server Hosting 8.6Paid plans · price varies by game

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DatHost — where it wins

    • 49 locations, from Johannesburg and Bahrain to São Paulo and Seoul
    • Public API and platform tools for leagues and match services
    • One-click MetaMod plugins such as scrims, practice and Fake RCON

    Where it doesn't

    • Prices are published in euros only, €0.99 per slot
    • The default 14 slots work out at €13.86 a month
    • About 20 games in total, so not a general-purpose game host

  • Shockbyte — where it wins

    • Built-in GOTV and demo recording plus live match restarts
    • CS:GO server hosting included with every CS2 purchase
    • 72-hour self-serve refund

    Where it doesn't

    • 2 GB entry plan is $9.99, above per-GB rivals
    • Plugin support sits in a collapsed FAQ, not a guide
    • No trial or free tier to try first
  • DatHost9.3/10 · €0.99 per slot · 14-day refund

    A Counter-Strike specialist: 49 locations, practice configs, a match API and a 14-day money-back guarantee.

    Visit DatHostFull verdict →
  • Shockbyte8.6/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game

    Match-ready CS2 plans with GOTV demo recording, RCON and a free CS:GO server included with every purchase.

    Visit ShockbyteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All CS2 server hosting comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update