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Head-to-head · CS2 Server Hosting

Nodecraft vs Apex Hosting

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Nodecraft #7 in CS2 Server Hosting 8.5/10 Paid plans · price varies by game Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Nodecraft
Apex Hosting #9 in CS2 Server Hosting 8.2/10 Paid plans · price varies by game ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Apex Hosting

Nodecraft leads on 0 checks, Apex Hosting on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNodecraft · 8.5/10
  • Lowest starting priceApex Hosting · $3.99/mo
  • Free trialonly Nodecraft

Nodecraft scores higher on our rubric for cs2 server hosting: 8.5 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #9.

Apex Hosting is cheaper to start at $3.99/mo against $9.98/mo.

Nodecraft is the better fit for groups that alternate CS2 with other games. Apex Hosting is the better fit for budget CS2 servers for a handful of friends.

  • Nodecraft fits best

    Groups that alternate CS2 with other games

  • Apex Hosting fits best

    Budget CS2 servers for a handful of friends

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Nodecraft 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Apex Hosting 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.2
Ranking #7 in CS2 Server Hosting #9 in CS2 Server Hosting
Best for Groups that alternate CS2 with other games Budget CS2 servers for a handful of friends
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $9.98/mo $3.99/mo (best)
Free plan — —
Free trial ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Features Nodecraft 2/5 · Apex Hosting 2/5
Plugin support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Workshop maps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Game switching ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Server API Not checked yet Not checked yet
DDoS protection ✓ ✓
Specs
Entry slots Not checked yet Not checked yet
Locations 27 locations Not checked yet
Refund window 7 days Not checked yet
Priced by Per GB of RAM, Premium 24/7 tier Per GB of RAM ($3.99 for 1 GB)
Our review
Pros
  • Save a CS2 setup, swap games, and restore it later
  • 27 locations including São Paulo, Tel Aviv and Auckland
  • Free trial and a seven-day money-back guarantee
  • Lowest regular CS2 entry here at $3.99 for 1 GB
  • Guides for installing MetaMod and CounterStrikeSharp
  • EX plan gives four dedicated Ryzen cores and 16 GB
Cons
  • Its Budget tier is flagged as not recommended for CS2
  • Premium 2 GB at $9.98 costs more than most CS2 entries
  • Support is staffed on limited daily hours
  • 1 GB is the minimum Apex itself lists for CS2
  • The next step up is 5 GB at $18.75 a month
  • No trial or free tier for CS2
Our verdict

Nodecraft sells CS2 on two tiers and is refreshingly honest about which to use. The Budget line, from $5.96 a month for 2 GB, hibernates when nobody is online and wakes from a share link, and Nodecraft labels it not recommended for this…

Read the review →

Apex Hosting's CS2 entry plan is the cheapest regular price in this list: 1 GB for $3.99 a month, which Apex describes as the minimum for Counter-Strike 2, with the first month at $2.99 through a 25 percent first-order discount. The next…

Read the review →
  1. NodecraftCS2 Server Hosting 8.5Paid plans · price varies by game
  2. Apex HostingCS2 Server Hosting 8.2Paid plans · price varies by game

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Nodecraft — where it wins

    • Save a CS2 setup, swap games, and restore it later
    • 27 locations including São Paulo, Tel Aviv and Auckland
    • Free trial and a seven-day money-back guarantee

    Where it doesn't

    • Its Budget tier is flagged as not recommended for CS2
    • Premium 2 GB at $9.98 costs more than most CS2 entries
    • Support is staffed on limited daily hours
  • Apex Hosting — where it wins

    • Lowest regular CS2 entry here at $3.99 for 1 GB
    • Guides for installing MetaMod and CounterStrikeSharp
    • EX plan gives four dedicated Ryzen cores and 16 GB

    Where it doesn't

    • 1 GB is the minimum Apex itself lists for CS2
    • The next step up is 5 GB at $18.75 a month
    • No trial or free tier for CS2
  • Nodecraft8.5/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game

    Premium 24/7 CS2 servers from $9.98 for 2 GB, 27 locations, save-and-swap and a seven-day refund.

    Visit NodecraftFull verdict →
  • Apex Hosting8.2/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game

    1 GB CS2 servers at $3.99 a month, CounterStrikeSharp and MetaMod guides, and a dedicated-core EX tier.

    Visit Apex HostingFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update