5Stack
What it is
5Stack is a free, open-source, self-hosted platform for Counter-Strike 2 competitions. It combines server provisioning, matchmaking, tournaments, statistics, replays, broadcasts, and community moderation. Players can queue for 1v1, 2v2, or 5v5 matches, with regional matching based on latency and party support. Organizers can run Single Elimination, Double Elimination, Round Robin, or Swiss formats, plus multi-stage brackets and seasonal leagues. Match analysis includes economy breakdowns, clutches, roles, heatmaps, and movement paths. Browser-based 2D and 3D replays, in-browser 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, and Twitch, YouTube, and Kick sources. Personal API keys provide GraphQL access to match and player data. There is no hosted version: users provide a Linux server and domain, and GPU features require an NVIDIA GPU on native Linux.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Supports several matchmaking formats
- Multiple tournament structures
- Detailed match analysis tools
- Broadcast and replay features
Against
- Self-hosting is required
- No hosted or managed purchase option
- GPU features require NVIDIA hardware on Linux
The verdict
5Stack brings competition operations and media tools into one self-hosted Counter-Strike 2 platform. It fits organizers who can supply Linux infrastructure and, for selected features, an NVIDIA GPU.
Who it suits
It suits gaming communities, Discord servers, league and tournament operators, server hosts, schools, organizations, and LANs. Users must manage their own Linux hosting infrastructure.
Plans and prices
Free and open source
Self-hosted; no per-seat or per-match project fee; hosting infrastructure is your cost
Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.5stack.gg
On the record
- 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.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Backups
- The system documentation says 5Stack takes automatic database backups and exposes backup status and history in its database dashboard.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- GPU requirement
- In-browser demo playback, live streaming, and highlight and clip rendering require an NVIDIA GPU on a native Linux host.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- 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.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The listed integrations include Discord, Valve and FACEIT match imports, and external streaming sources Twitch, YouTube, and Kick.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the platform for communities and Discord servers, league and tournament operators, server hosts, organizations, schools, and LANs.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Match analysis
- The platform provides player statistics and match analysis including economy breakdowns, clutches, roles, heatmaps, and movement paths.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Matchmaking
- Players can queue for 1v1, 2v2, or 5v5 and use regional matchmaking that checks latency and supports parties.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- 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.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- 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.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Streaming
- Matches can be broadcast from the panel with a Stream Deck, scoreboard overlays, a public watch hub, and picture-in-picture.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Support
- The maker's documentation directs users to Discord for questions, help, and contact with people running 5Stack.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- Tournaments
- Tournament formats include Single Elimination, Double Elimination, Round Robin, and Swiss, with multi-stage brackets and seasonal leagues also listed.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
- What it does
- 5Stack is a self-hosted Counter-Strike 2 competition platform covering server provisioning, matchmaking, tournaments, statistics, replays, broadcasts, and community moderation.docs.5stack.gg · read 28 Sep 2026
