Across the globe, shooter and adventure games were the top two video game genres in 2022. Tactical FPS games have been around for generations, so how does Squad differ from its predecessors? Well, you can think of Squad overall as a multiplayer shooter like Call of Duty, but one that relies heavily on roles and objectives (and with much more combat realism!).
Squad is a game that rewards teamwork and communication. This means having a good server hosting provider is essential for playing Squad to its full potential. Server hosting is a great option to give your team a competitive boost by allowing you to customize your server settings, add plugins or mods, control who has access to it, and more.
But choosing the right provider is essential to ensure your squad enjoys the best possible experience while playing on the server. Picking up the right hosting provider can be tricky, so we’ve researched some of the best Squad server hosting providers to help you make the right decision.
1. Citadel Servers
Citadel Servers is one of the most established server hosting providers for Squad. Founded in 2012, they have been providing its customers top-notch gaming and web hosting solutions ever since. Additionally, the company boasts an affiliate program, where you can earn up to 12.5% commission when you refer customers.
Benefits of Citadel Servers
When it comes to speed and performance, Citadel Servers does not disappoint. Their server management panel lets you conveniently download any mods, maps, and plugins you need, with ample flexibility regarding server settings too. With Xeon processors and NVMe SSD drives, you’ll never miss a beat – perfect for playing Squad with minimal lag.
More benefits of using Citadel's services include fast setup times, unlimited storage space, and scalable bandwidth. The managed service also gets you 24/7 support from their experienced team and free maintenance and installation.
Citadel Squad Server Pricing
Citadel Servers is suitable for any budget at just $0.43 per slot/player.
Quick Review
Pros
- Extremely fair pricing
- High-performance servers and hardware
- Worldwide coverage in over 18 locations
Cons
- Tight consumer policies – refunds are hard to get
2. GTX Gaming
Well-loved and well-respected, GTX Gaming is a server hosting provider known for setting up new games on the day of its release. They specialize in providing top-quality gaming servers for Squad and other multiplayer games. GTX's extensive list of features makes it suitable for any budget and size squad team.
The latest E3 processor power benefits GTX's high-performance servers, and they have recently started to use AMD Ryzens. And because they started hosting right when Squad came out, their control panel and servers are feature rich – it’s almost impossible you won’t find what you’re looking for.
Furthermore, GTX offers unparalleled 24/7 instant support in case of any issues. They also continuously and meticulously add new functions and features to their control panel at the request of users.
GTX Gaming Pricing
The pricing for GTX Gaming isn’t the most straightforward. You’ll get to configure how many slots you have, your location, memory allocation, hard disk option, CPU clock speed, disk space, CPU priority, and VIP ticket priority support – crafting a completely customized plan to your liking. There are also discounts for longer billing cycles.
Their most basic plan, with up to 5GB free memory allocation, up to 100GB free disk space, and 20 slots, is $21.67 USD.
Quick Review
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Advanced technology
- Worldwide coverage
Cons
- 24-hour refund only
3. Streamline Servers
If the first two server hosting providers sounded a little intimidating, Streamline Servers might be for you. The platform is perfect for those who aren’t tech-savvy but still want premium features. They have various packages available, ranging from basic to custom builds, so you can choose the best one that fits your needs.
Streamline Servers Benefits
Streamline Servers offers several attractive features, such as full FTP access and unlimited disk space, making it ideal for those who want complete control over their game server. They’re also best known for their modded servers and customized packages.
Streamline Servers Pricing
The pricing for Streamline Servers starts at $1.25 per slot and varies depending on the package you choose.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 22 network locations worldwide
- Accepts Bitcoin
Cons
- Requires you to apply for a server license (can be done through the site)
4. Nitrado
These guys have been in the business since 2001! Nitrado seeks to improve multiplayer gaming, offering a wide range of game servers, including Squad. Their Trustpilot review is proudly placed on their site, a 4.5/5 star rating based on 4.226 reviews.
Benefits
Nitrado offers one-click installation for an easy setup process and 24/7 customer support in multiple languages. Take advantage of low pings, daily backups, and easy installation of mods and plugins. Additionally, they have an active community of players and admins who can help you with any queries you may have.
Nitrado Pricing
Pricing goes based on the number of slots across a certain number of days – and it's not just based on downloading one game. You can download up to 5 games from over 100 in the cloud.
For a 3-day subscription for 10 slots, you’ll have to pay $3.89; for 30 days and 10 slots, it’ll cost $15.39; and for 30 days and 20 slots, it’ll go up to $23.79. However, you can also customize your configuration from 4 to 200 slots and 3 – 365 days of runtime.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One-click installation process
- Active community of players and admins to help out with queries
- Staggered pricing based on days and slots for maximum cost-efficiency
Cons
- No discounts or coupons available for longer-term orders
5. Gaming Deluxe
Gaming Deluxe is solid all-around – they seem to take great care in the quality of their servers, the expertise of their customer service, and the technology they use. It’s always been all about perfection for them in their 18 years of experience dealing with game servers.
Benefits
With up to 12 racks of Dell servers and Intel Xeon Chips, there’s no sacrificing on speed and game experience with Gaming Deluxe. All servers are also run in-house, which is a big plus that not all server hosting providers offer.
And although the control panel isn’t custom, it’s user-friendly and allows you to personalize your server well enough. There’s also the live server function to check out your server performance in real-time.
Gaming Deluxe Pricing
The pricing for Gaming Deluxe's servers are almost identical to GTX Gaming, where you can customize everything from CPU clock speed and all the other fixings. Their basic plan is $14.20 USD monthly for up to 5GB free memory allocation and up to 100GB free disk space. Moreover, they even offer “Public Pay,” which means you can get others in your clan to chip in for the cost of game hosting through a link.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Discounts available for longer-term orders
- 24/7 customer support service
Cons
- 24-hour refund only
- Limited locations – North America, Europe, and Australia only
Choosing Guide: Things to Consider
Now you might be asking, how do I pick from the cream of the crop? Here are several things you should consider.
- High-Performance Servers: The performance of your game server is essential for a smooth gaming experience. Select a hosting provider that uses the latest hardware and has access to fast network connections.
- Price: Your budget should also be considered when selecting a server hosting provider. Different providers offer different pricing plans, so it’s worth comparing them before deciding.
- Customer Service: Good customer service is required for any service, so choosing a hosting provider with reliable service is essential in case you need any help. The provider you select should ideally have 24/7 live support and a sound reputation for resolving customer issues.
- Mod Support: If you plan to use mods or plugins on your Squad server, make sure the hosting provider offers mod support. This will allow you to customize your server settings and download any mods or plugins directly from their control panel.
- Security: Security is a significant concern when selecting a hosting provider. You’ll want to know that you’re protected by top-notch security measures to protect your data and keep your server safe from cyber attacks. This commonly comes in the form of DDoS protection.
Key Takeaways
Finding the best Squad server hosting provider for your team can be challenging with the selection. But with the right provider, you’re bound to have an enjoyable and lag-free gaming experience. We hope this article has helped guide you towards finding the perfect hosting provider for your Squad needs!
