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SPECIFICTION
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5Stack

5stack.gg

Free plan WebLinuxAPI
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Spec score 8.2 #14 of 28 in Game Matchmaking Software

What it is

5Stack is a free, self-hosted Counter-Strike 2 competition platform for communities, Discord servers, leagues, tournament operators, server hosts, organizations, schools, and LANs. It combines server provisioning, matchmaking, tournaments, statistics, replays, broadcasts, and community moderation. Players can queue for 1v1, 2v2, or 5v5 matches, with party support and regional matching based on latency. Organizers can run Single Elimination, Double Elimination, Round Robin, and Swiss formats, including multi-stage brackets and seasonal leagues. Match analysis includes economy breakdowns, clutches, roles, heatmaps, and movement paths. Browser-based 2D and 3D replays, demo playback, and automatic highlights are available; some rendering requires a GPU node. Broadcast tools include Stream Deck control, scoreboard overlays, a public watch hub, and picture-in-picture. Integrations include Discord, Valve and FACEIT imports, Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. Hosting requires a Linux server and domain, and GPU features require an NVIDIA GPU on native Linux.

Spec sheet

What it does
5Stack is a self-hosted Counter-Strike 2 competition platform covering server provisioning, matchmaking, tournaments, statistics, replays, broadcasts, and community moderation.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Intended users
The maker describes the platform for communities and Discord servers, league and tournament operators, server hosts, organizations, schools, and LANs.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
API
5Stack provides personal API keys for GraphQL access to a user's match and player data, and says keys can be revoked at any time.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Integrations
The listed integrations include Discord, Valve and FACEIT match imports, and external streaming sources Twitch, YouTube, and Kick.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Support
The maker's documentation directs users to Discord for questions, help, and contact with people running 5Stack.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Backups
The system documentation says 5Stack takes automatic database backups and exposes backup status and history in its database dashboard.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
GPU requirement
In-browser demo playback, live streaming, and highlight and clip rendering require an NVIDIA GPU on a native Linux host.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Hosting requirement
5Stack is self-hosted only, with no hosted or managed version for purchase; its FAQ says a Linux server and a domain are needed.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Match analysis
The platform provides player statistics and match analysis including economy breakdowns, clutches, roles, heatmaps, and movement paths.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Matchmaking
Players can queue for 1v1, 2v2, or 5v5 and use regional matchmaking that checks latency and supports parties.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Replays and highlights
5Stack offers browser-based 2D and 3D replays, in-browser demo playback, and automatic highlight reels; some rendering features require a GPU node.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Security controls
Administrators can require sign-in to view live streams and set minimum roles for streaming or spectating; the documentation advises treating API keys like passwords.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Streaming
Matches can be broadcast from the panel with a Stream Deck, scoreboard overlays, a public watch hub, and picture-in-picture.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
Tournaments
Tournament formats include Single Elimination, Double Elimination, Round Robin, and Swiss, with multi-stage brackets and seasonal leagues also listed.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg

Plans and prices

Free and open source Free Self-hosted; no per-seat or per-match project fee; hosting infrastructure is your cost Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg

Every 5Stack plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan with no per-seat or per-match fee
  • Matchmaking supports 1v1, 2v2, and 5v5
  • Multiple tournament formats and seasonal leagues
  • Browser replays, demo playback, and highlight reels
  • GraphQL API access to match and player data

Limits

  • Self-hosted only; no managed version
  • Linux server and domain required
  • GPU needed for streaming and rendering features

Who it suits

5Stack suits communities, Discord servers, leagues, tournament operators, schools, LANs, and organizations running Counter-Strike 2 competitions. It fits teams able to provide Linux hosting, a domain, and required GPU hardware.

Verdict

5Stack covers competition operations from matchmaking through broadcasts and moderation. Its free pricing is paired with self-hosting and specific Linux and GPU requirements, so infrastructure capacity is central to using it.

Where Specifiction places it

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