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Updated 10 October 2026
Convoy mode turned Euro Truck Simulator 2 into a game you drive with friends, and SCS Software’s dedicated server lets a convoy stay open without anyone keeping the game running as host. That server is free and light, but it has quirks that matter when you rent one: it loads your map, DLC and mods from two files you export from your own game, and a session holds eight players unless both the server and every driver raise that default. We compared six hosts against those facts.
Quick facts
- Godlike.Host: ETS2 game servers starting at 8 slots and 4 GB, with an automatic mod installer, file access over SFTP and 10 data center locations (its ETS2 page, 10 October 2026).
- LOW.MS: eight slots and 10 GB on its first plan, plus cloud backups.
- Kinetic Hosting: memory-based plans from 4 GB, with backups and game swapping in its panel.
- Host Havoc: 8 slots included, on Xeon and Ryzen hardware across 14 locations.
- 4Netplayers: 4- and 8-slot packages in 14 locations, priced with tax included.
- GPORTAL: eight-slot servers, its stated ETS2 maximum, and 50 GB set aside for backups.
How we compared
We read each host’s ETS2 page as a US visitor on 10 October 2026 and recorded, for all six, the slots or memory in the starting plan, measured against the game’s default of eight players per session, plus locations, backups, refund terms and the standard monthly price. Facts about each host come from its own page. Nitrado, BisectHosting, PingPerfect and ScalaCube did not show readable ETS2 prices in our checks, so the table leaves them out.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Euro Truck Simulator 2, DVD-ROM | $10.61 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Euro Truck Spezial: LKW Rangier-Simulator [German Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HH-hKGmQL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Euro Truck Spezial: LKW Rangier-Simulator [German Version] | $8.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
NBCP PC Steering Wheel with 6-Speed H-Pattern Shifter and Linear Pedal | Hall Effect Linear... | $109.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
UK Truck-Simulator (PC) | $8.81 | Buy on Amazon |
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What SCS says an ETS2 dedicated server needs
- The server program: Euro Truck Simulator 2 Dedicated Server, Steam app 1948160. It installs from the Tools list in a Steam library or anonymously through SteamCMD, and owning the game is not required to run it. SteamCMD installs do not update themselves.
- Two exported files: server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat carry your map, DLC and mod setup. You create them in the game itself with the export_server_packages console command, and the server will not start without them.
- No game data on the server: the dedicated server needs no DLC or mod files of its own and cannot reach the Steam Workshop; everything comes through those two files.
- Ports: virtual ports 100 and 101 need no forwarding, while the physical ports 27015 and 27016 do, for both TCP and UDP, if the server is to appear in the session browser.
- Players: the wiki gives eight as the max_players limit, still the game’s default. Since update 1.50 in 2024, a setting called g_max_convoy_size lifts that cap to as many as 128, provided it is raised on the server and in each driver’s own config.cfg.
From SCS Software’s modding wiki page on the dedicated server, read 10 October 2026; the g_max_convoy_size note comes from SCS’s own forum threads on update 1.50.
1. Godlike.Host: 8-slot ETS2 servers with an automatic mod installer
Godlike.Host sells Euro Truck Simulator 2 as a managed game server (its ETS2 page, 10 October 2026). The Ultra plan has 8 slots and 4 GB of memory, Unstoppable has 12 slots and 6 GB, and Rampage 20 slots and 8 GB, with custom sizes between 8 and 20 slots. Servers run on a customised Pterodactyl panel where the server settings file is reachable directly, alongside SFTP access, an installer that adds and updates supported mods automatically, and settings for launch parameters and the game build.
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The page also lists a personal firewall with IP filtering, linked or independent servers on one account, management through a Discord bot, upgrades and downgrades billed pro rata, and installation within five minutes. You choose from 10 data center locations. Its 8-slot entry plan matches the game’s default session size of eight players.
Worth knowing: the 12- and 20-slot plans go beyond the default of eight, which takes g_max_convoy_size raised on the server and in every driver’s game, and free backups stop at three a day; copy your server files by hand before swapping in new server packages.
2. LOW.MS: eight slots and 10 GB on the first plan
LOW.MS sells ETS2 by the slot, starting with eight slots and 10 GB, with larger tiers listed at 16, 32 and 64 slots. Servers go live within minutes of paying, DDoS protection is included, and a cloud backup system keeps copies of your files. There is no minimum term, and money is refunded in full within five days.
Its ETS2 page names thirteen data centers spread over three regions, Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, with 24/7 help.
Worth knowing: the 16-, 32- and 64-slot tiers sit above the default of eight, so using them relies on g_max_convoy_size being set on the server and by each player, and guides cap that setting at 128.
3. Kinetic Hosting: memory-based plans from 4 GB
Kinetic Hosting pitches its ETS2 servers at convoys, with NVMe storage and high-clock processors topping out at the Ryzen 9 9950X. Plans are sized by memory, starting at 4 GB and climbing through 8, 10 and 12 GB to far larger tiers, and the panel adds full mod support, backups and the option to swap the server to another game. Players are not capped by the plan, and support is staffed by people.
Refunds are available within seven days for any reason, or 14 days if the service is at fault.
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Worth knowing: the ETS2 page does not list server locations.
4. Host Havoc: 8 slots included across 14 locations
Host Havoc bundles 8 player slots with every ETS2 server and runs them on a mix of Xeon and Ryzen processors, DDR4 or DDR5 RAM, NVMe storage and links of up to 10 Gbps. Its TCAdmin-based control suite brings a browser console, a file manager, a log viewer and offsite backups with simple restores.
Fourteen sites are available, eight of them in North America from Seattle to Montreal, plus four in Europe and two across Asia-Pacific; the company reports average ticket replies inside ten minutes and runs its own hardware.
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5. 4Netplayers: tax-included prices in 14 locations
4Netplayers, a long-running host of game and voice servers, offers ETS2 packages with 4 or 8 slots and shows its prices with tax included. Its servers run on NVMe drives in 14 locations, including Helsinki, St. Louis, São Paulo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney, and you can change location at any time. The web interface handles starting, stopping, configuration and backups, and adds automatic updates, full FTP access, database access and a task scheduler.
Mods can be uploaded to the server over FTP, according to its FAQ.
Worth knowing: the headline price is a 50% first-month offer; the table shows the regular monthly price.
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- 【Hall Magnetic Encoder Steering – Precision & Durability】 Contactless Hall magnetic sensing technology delivers precise, wear‑free steering control. No potentiometers to wear out – ensuring consistent accuracy and long‑term reliability for intense sim racing sessions.
- 【Complete Pedal Set: Linear Throttle, Brake & Clutch + 6-Speed H‑Pattern Shifter】 Linear pedals provide proportional control for precise throttle, braking, and clutch engagement. The 6‑speed H‑pattern shifter delivers authentic manual transmission shifting – perfect for sim racing, truck simulators, and realistic driving games.
- 【11.02" Large Diameter Wheel with Ergonomic Wave‑Style Grips】 Extra‑large 11.02" wheel face provides a realistic driving feel – closer to a real car than standard 10" wheels. The one‑piece ergonomic wave‑shaped handles with thickened non‑slip texture offer comfortable, fatigue‑reducing grip during long races.
- 【One-Key Angle Switching – 270°/450°/900°】 Instantly switch between 3 rotation angles with a single press. 270° for F1/arcade racing, 450° for truck/bus simulators, and 900° for realistic car driving. Adapts to different game genres without interrupting your gameplay.
- 【Dual Vibration Motors & Sturdy Desk Mount】 Dual vibration motors deliver realistic road feedback – feel every bump, curb, and collision. Tilt‑adjustable design lets you find your perfect driving posture. The 27.5cm chassis base and 3‑47mm universal clamp fit most desks securely. Compatible with PC, PS3, and Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2).
6. GPORTAL: eight-slot servers and a 50 GB backup allowance
GPORTAL states plainly that its ETS2 servers allow a maximum of 8 slots, in line with the game’s default convoy size, and its page adds that convoys of up to eight players now work on dedicated servers too. Servers start within three minutes, keep 50 GB for configs and saves, and get 24/7 support through tickets. Rentals start at three days, with longer 90- and 180-day periods.
Worth knowing: prices are per 30-day period, and Central Europe is selected as the location until you choose another.
Comparison table
| Host | Key fact | Starting plan | Locations | Backups | Regular monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godlike.Host | Automatic mod installer | 8 slots, 4 GB | 10 | Three free per day | $7.99 (8 slots; matches the 8-player default) |
| LOW.MS | 10 GB on the 8-slot plan | 8 slots, 10 GB | 13 | Cloud backups | $6.99 (8 slots, 10 GB) |
| Kinetic Hosting | Plans sized by memory | 4 GB | Not listed on the page | Five backup slots | $4.99 (4 GB; player count not capped) |
| Host Havoc | Offsite backups | 8 slots included | 14 | Offsite | $10.00 (8 slots; billing period and extras not included) |
| 4Netplayers | Tax-included pricing | 4 or 8 slots | 14 | Automatic | $12.39 (8 slots, tax included) |
| GPORTAL | Maximum of 8 slots | 8 slots | Choice at checkout | 50 GB space | $12.52 per 30 days, eight-slot cap |
US list prices, checked 10-Oct-2026. Prices shown are each host’s usual monthly rate, without first-month discounts.
Exporting server_packages for a hosted server
Whichever host you choose, the map, DLC and mod setup comes from your own copy of the game. SCS’s steps are short:
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uset g_console "1"in config.cfg in the game’s home folder. - Load into the game with the map, DLC and mods you want the server to use, open the console with the ~ key and run
export_server_packages. - Find server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat in the game’s home folder and upload both to the server’s home folder, next to server_config.sii.
- Restart the server. Players need the DLC and mods listed in those packages in their own games to join.
The files are not tied to your account, and changing the map, DLC or mod mix means exporting a fresh pair.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Running the server yourself: SCS’s notes
Hosting is optional, and SCS’s documentation covers self-hosting in a few lines. The server takes launch parameters for a different packages file (-server), a different config file (-server_cfg), a redirected home folder (-homedir, which has to match the game’s if you moved it) and multiple instances (-nosingle). On Linux it needs Steam’s steamclient.so library, either through the server_launch.sh script beside the executable or a link to SteamCMD’s copy; without it, startup fails with a SteamAPI_Init error.
The first launch creates the home folder and a default server_config.sii, then stops with an error until the server_packages files are in place. Logs go to server.log.txt, with server.crash.txt after a crash, and Ctrl+C closes the server. If you run several sessions at once, each one needs its own ports and its own logon token, and for LAN play the query port must sit between 27015 and 27020. SCS also lists a known issue: if Steam loses its connection, for example when the computer sleeps, the server closes the session.
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Settings worth changing in server_config.sii
- lobby_name, description and welcome_message: the session name and text, limited to 63, 63 and 127 characters.
- password: a session password of up to 63 characters.
- max_players: eight by default; a higher number only holds once g_max_convoy_size in the server’s config_ds.cfg is raised too, to 128 at most.
- player_damage and traffic: whether players can damage each other and whether AI traffic runs.
- force_speed_limiter and name_tags: a forced speed limiter for everyone, and name tags above vehicles.
- service_no_collision and in_menu_ghosting: no collisions in service areas, and none while a player is paused.
- moderator_list: Steam IDs promoted to moderator automatically, since the server has no interface for promoting anyone mid-session.
Moderators can then use chat commands such as /set_time with a time of day and /set_rain_factor with a value from 0 to 1. For a server ID that stays the same between restarts, SCS suggests a logon token from Steam’s game server account page, generated with the game’s app ID rather than the server’s.
FAQ
How large can an ETS2 convoy on a dedicated server be?
Eight by default, the figure SCS’s wiki still gives for max_players. Since update 1.50, setting g_max_convoy_size on the server and in every driver’s config.cfg allows up to 128. GPORTAL caps its ETS2 servers at eight.
Does the server need my DLC and mods installed?
No. It reads your setup from the exported server_packages files, but each player needs the matching DLC and mods in their own game.
Which ports does an ETS2 server use?
Physical ports 27015 and 27016 over TCP and UDP for the session browser, plus virtual ports 100 and 101, which need no forwarding.
Do I have to own the game to run the server?
No, not to run it. You do need the game to export server_packages, and to generate a persistent logon token.
Can friends find a server that sits behind NAT?
Yes, through direct search with the search ID the server prints at startup, although it will not appear in the public session browser without port forwarding.
Can the server use Steam Workshop mods directly?
No. SCS notes that the dedicated server cannot reach the Workshop; mods reach it only through the exported server_packages files, and players need the same mods installed.
Why did my server close the session on its own?
SCS lists a known issue: when Steam loses its connection, for example because the host computer went to sleep, the server closes the session.
Does a SteamCMD install keep itself updated?
No. SCS points out that SteamCMD does not update the server automatically, so rerun the download after each game patch.
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