Performance
NVMe and the same CPU on every plan
Worlds load from NVMe storage, and every plan can use up to two CPU cores, whatever its size.
Game server
Team Fortress 2 Server Hosting
Team Fortress 2 runs on Valve's Source dedicated server. Our test server idled at about 0.7 GB, so 2 GB covers a 12-player server and larger lobbies step up from there. The install is about 15 GB and downloads on first start, so the first boot takes a few minutes.
- Team Fortress 2 dedicated server (Source)
- 24 player slots by default, sized up to 32
- Three ports: game, client and SourceTV
- Random admin (RCON) password per server
- Optional Steam game server token for the public server browser
- Full file + console access
- Backups on a schedule you set
- Game switching from the panel
What you get with every Team Fortress 2 server
One plan system, 19 sizes. Move up or down whenever your world grows.
Protection
DDoS filtering
Filtered at the edge before it reaches your server — included, not an upsell.
Control
Full panel access
Console, files, scheduled tasks and backups in one panel. First monthly order not for you? Ask within 72 hours for a full refund.
Getting started
Your first hour on Team Fortress 2
1
Connect
Your address and port are on the server page in the panel. Paste the address into Team Fortress 2's multiplayer screen; if it asks for a port separately, use the one the panel lists — not one from a forum post.
2
Add your content
Supported here: SourceMod plugins. Upload through the panel's file manager, or over SFTP for anything large, then restart from the console.
3
When it misbehaves
Open a ticket from the billing portal — it is tied to your account, so we can find your server straight away. The FAQ covers backups, ports and RAM ceilings.
Team Fortress 2 server requirements: RAM and players
Team Fortress 2 needs 2 GB before anyone connects. These are the plans our calculator picks for a few common group sizes, using the same numbers as the calculator above.
| Players online | RAM needed | Plan | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2.0 GB | 2 GB | $5.99/mo |
| 24 | 3.9 GB | 4 GB | $11.99/mo |
| 32 | 5.2 GB | 6 GB | $17.99/mo |
Maps, players, plugins and the server browser
Server Name, Default Map (ctf_2fort to begin with), Max Players (24 by default) and an optional Server Password are on the panel's Startup tab. Set the name and passwords there rather than in tf/cfg/server.cfg: the panel writes those three lines into the file on every start.
Every server is created with its own random Admin (RCON) Password, shown on the same tab. Use it with rcon_password in the game's console to change maps and manage players.
The Game Server Login Token field is optional. A free token from Valve makes the server show in the public server browser; leave it empty for a private server that friends join by address.
Custom maps go in tf/maps and plugins in tf/addons; upload them over SFTP and restart. The game itself is about 15 GB and downloads on the first start, which took about six minutes on our tests.
Team Fortress 2 server hosting FAQ
How much RAM does a TF2 server need?
Not much: our test server idled at about 0.7 GB. 2 GB covers the first 12 players, and each extra player adds about 0.16 GB. A full 32-player server comes to about 5.2 GB, so the 6 GB plan.
How many players can join?
Set Max Players on the Startup tab (24 by default). Our plans are sized for up to 32.
How do I get my server in the server browser?
Create a free Game Server Login Token for Team Fortress 2 in your Steam account and paste it into the Startup tab. Without one the server is private, and friends join by address.
How do I connect?
Open the developer console in TF2 and type connect followed by the address and port shown in the panel.
Can I install SourceMod?
Yes. Upload MetaMod:Source and SourceMod into tf/addons over SFTP and restart.
How do I become admin?
Use the Admin (RCON) Password on the Startup tab. Each server gets its own random one.
How much does a TF2 server cost?
From $5.99 a month for 2 GB. Each extra gigabyte adds $3. Terms of 3, 6 and 12 months are 10%, 15% and 20% off, with no setup fee.
Is DDoS protection included?
Yes, on every plan. Traffic is filtered at the network edge before it reaches your server.
Not sure about the size?
The calculator above is sized from our boot tests and published host sizing — 2 GB to boot with the first 12 players included, then about 0.16 GB per extra player, plus 1 GB when mods are on. If you'd rather compare every plan side by side, they're on the pricing page.