To truly enjoy your Team Fortress 2 experience, you need server hosting. The problem with choosing a server is that you may get stuck with lags, poor support staff, and no support for the best mods. We have reviewed several providers to find the top-performing server hosting, all for an amazing TF2 gameplay.
Reviews of the Top TF2 Server Hosting
1. GTX Gaming
As a leading hosting provider in the gaming industry, GTX Gaming offers an exceptional gaming experience for TF2. Our experts found that GTX gaming offers all features you need to enjoy a great game, including easy configuration, manual server switching, and even sub-user access.
GTX also offers additional benefits like offsite backups and mod support. We didn’t need to worry about DDoS attacks because the security is top-notch. The server has hosting centers in the U.S, Europe, and Russia. One thing we didn’t enjoy about the host was their short 24-hour money back duration.
Pros
- Offsite backups
- Instant set up
- Steam workshop support
- Seamless game switching
- Easy to use control panel
Cons
- Relatively limited server options
- Short 24-hour refund duration
2. HostHavoc
Our team has tested HostHavoc in terms of three specific metrics — performance, customer support, and mod installation. HostHavoc performed excellently on all three criteria. The gameplay was seamless even though we were playing with a large team. Support also had an average response time of 15 minutes, which is faster than most servers.
We were most impressed with HostHavoc’s mod support. Popular mods like TF Bot Overhaul and 4-slot grenade launcher ran without a hitch. Finally, we found that HostHavoc’s plans are great value for money, compared to the other TF2 server hosts.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Numerous server locations
- 3-day money-back guarantee
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Limited location switching per month
- No automatic update of mods
3. PingPerfect
Another recognized name on our list of best TF2 server hosting providers is PingPerfect. The company has established itself as a force in the world of game hosting. It prides itself on offering maximum support to gamers on everything they need, from performance to security. PingPerfect’s free DDoS protection keeps players safe from hackers and griefers who lurk around the TF2 space.
It also offers complete control to its users with features such as a TCAdmin control panel, instant server setup, and full FTP Access. Beyond these, we also found that the PingPerfect provides daily backups, so players never lose their progress. Finally, it has fringe benefits like free 1GB of storage for certain plans.
We also have a full review of PingPerfect here.
Pros
- Instant server setup
- FTP Access
- Custom control panel
- Seamless game switching
Cons
- Short money back duration
- No call based support
4. Streamline Servers
Streamline Servers host TF2 like bosses. They give players everything they and their team need to dominate the game space; they even host VOIPs [1] like TeamSpeak, in case you need advanced communications while playing. You can also get sv_pure 0 servers for TF2 from this provider. We found everything satisfactory, from the game performance to extra features.
Streamline servers also offer one-click install mods and a powerful control panel. We were particularly impressed with their low ping servers. They offered lag-free gameplay, regardless of how far away we were. Unfortunately, Streamline Servers were a little more pricey than other servers we tried. But they offered enough value to make it up.
(For trading activity, you can also check the most reliable Team Fortress trading sites here)
Pros
- Low ping servers
- Powerful control panel
- 1-click mod installs
- Numerous server locations
Cons
- Pricey
- No server switching
TF2 Server Hosting Buyer’s Guide
Performance
Performance is the priority when picking your TF2 server hosting. Servers with zero lag such as the top-speed Minecraft servers we reviewed are the best because the lower the lag, the more enjoyable your gameplay.
Experience
The host’s experience often affects game satisfaction. The older the hosting company, the more established they tend to be, and the more servers they’ll have.
Want to know how challenging server hosting is? You can check our page on the step-by-step process about hosting an Ark server here.
Mods
Most server hosts support mods. The challenge usually comes with the ease of installation.
Some servers offer 1-click installs, while others require a long and tedious process. Hosts with 1-click installs are always the better choice. Also, It’s important to remember that outdated mods can cause your Team Fortress 2 to crash when joining the Valve server.
Control Panel
The control panel gives you access to all the functions available on the server. This includes mods, server locations, and even unique settings. Server hosts with custom-built control panels like the impressive Ark server hosting are the best choice.
Processor
Your computer’s processor is arguably more critical than your host server. TF2 requires a graphics processing unit greater than or equal to AMD Radeon X1600, as well as a 512MB ram. Without these, you can’t enjoy your gameplay.
Type of Server
Some hosts boast of using low ping servers, which allows you to avoid playing TF2 on slow servers or to prevent TF2 from freezing when you join the server.
These types of servers are designed to reduce latency and offer the best gaming experience.
Customer Support and Security
Since most hosts offer low ping servers, it often comes down to customer care response time. Dependable server hosting providers respond in under 30 minutes.
FAQ
How to Host a TF2 Game Server?
You can host a game server by downloading the Steam Console Client Tool. You’ll need to run the tool from a command shell and install the trading server for TF2, achievement server for TF2, or community server of TF2 onto your computer. An easier way to host a TF2 game server is to pay for dedicated hosting.
Host Havoc is an ideal server hosting for Terraria multiplayer, you can also read about other topnotch Terraria server hosting here.
Our Top Pick For a TF2 Server Hosting: HostHavoc
For us, the best TF2 server hosting is GTX Gaming. They offer premium features that allow players to control every aspect of gameplay. From an easy to use control panel and top-notch DDoS protection, GTX Gaming is a fantastic choice for TF2 server hosting.
