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Head-to-head · CS2 Server Hosting

ZAP-Hosting vs Nodecraft

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score ZAP-Hosting #5 in CS2 Server Hosting 8.7/10 Lifetime option · price varies by game ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit ZAP-Hosting
Nodecraft #7 in CS2 Server Hosting 8.5/10 Paid plans · price varies by game Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Nodecraft

ZAP-Hosting leads on 1 check, Nodecraft on 1, and 4 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 scoreZAP-Hosting · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceZAP-Hosting · $5.75/mo
  • Free trialonly Nodecraft

ZAP-Hosting scores higher on our rubric for cs2 server hosting: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

ZAP-Hosting is cheaper to start at $5.75/mo against $9.98/mo. Nodecraft leads on locations: 27 locations versus 8 locations.

ZAP-Hosting is the better fit for players who want to pay once and keep the server. Nodecraft is the better fit for groups that alternate CS2 with other games.

  • ZAP-Hosting fits best

    Players who want to pay once and keep the server

  • Nodecraft fits best

    Groups that alternate CS2 with other games

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 ZAP-Hosting 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Nodecraft 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #5 in CS2 Server Hosting #7 in CS2 Server Hosting
Best for Players who want to pay once and keep the server Groups that alternate CS2 with other games
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $5.75/mo (best) $9.98/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Features ZAP-Hosting 2/5 · Nodecraft 2/5
Plugin support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Workshop maps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Game switching ✓ ✓
Server API Not checked yet Not checked yet
DDoS protection ✓ ✓
Specs
Entry slots Not checked yet Not checked yet
Locations 8 locations 27 locations (best)
Refund window Not checked yet 7 days
Priced by Fixed plans; lifetime one-off from $63.25 Per GB of RAM, Premium 24/7 tier
Our review
Pros
  • Lifetime CS2 server from $63.25 instead of monthly fees
  • Monthly plans start at $5.75
  • Game cloud switches titles and keeps a booked IP's default port
  • 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
Cons
  • No Workshop, Metamod or CounterStrikeSharp guidance on the page
  • CS2 spec list still talks about Minecraft chunk loading
  • Eight locations on its game pages
  • 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
Our verdict

ZAP-Hosting's CS2 offer is mostly about how you pay. Monthly plans start at $5.75, and you can instead buy a lifetime server from $63.25 once, which suits a small community that plans to keep the same server for years. Up- and downgrades,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. ZAP-HostingCS2 Server Hosting 8.7Lifetime option · price varies by game
  2. NodecraftCS2 Server Hosting 8.5Paid plans · price varies by game

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ZAP-Hosting — where it wins

    • Lifetime CS2 server from $63.25 instead of monthly fees
    • Monthly plans start at $5.75
    • Game cloud switches titles and keeps a booked IP's default port

    Where it doesn't

    • No Workshop, Metamod or CounterStrikeSharp guidance on the page
    • CS2 spec list still talks about Minecraft chunk loading
    • Eight locations on its game pages
  • 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
  • ZAP-Hosting8.7/10 · Lifetime option · price varies by game

    CS2 from $5.75 a month or $63.25 once for a lifetime server, with game cloud switching and an in-game console.

    Visit ZAP-HostingFull verdict →
  • 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 →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update