Best Minecraft Server Anti Cheat Plugins for 2026

For Minecraft servers, the best anticheat depends on your budget and server setup, but Vulcan and Grim AC are the top community favourites.

Best Paid: Vulcan (~$20 USD) Widely considered the best paid option, it features an in-game GUI, is easy to configure, and has excellent built-in checks to block reach, killaura, and fly hacks. It rarely flags legitimate players and has great Discord webhook integration

Best Free: Grim (Free) The undisputed best free open-source anti-cheat. It is multi-threaded and predictive, offering incredible reach and antikb checks. It is fully optimized for 1.8 to 1.21 and handles Bedrock cross-play (Geyser) seamlessly.

For tips on how to configure and fine tune anticheats like Vulcan to aboid false positives and set up Discord alerts here is

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Top Anti Cheat Plugins 2026

Vulcan Anti-Cheat (Paid)

Vulcan is a premium, packet-based Minecraft anti-cheat plugin designed to detect combat, movement and player-related cheats. It supports a wide range of server versions, includes Folia support, and provides configurable checks, violation logs and an in-game management interface. It is known as one of the best anti-cheats on the market and used by other 7,000 servers.

Pros:

• Detects combat cheats such as KillAura, Reach, AimAssist and Velocity manipulation

• Detects movement cheats such as Fly, Speed, Jesus and Bunny Hop

• Broad multi-version server support

• Supports Folia according to its current SpigotMC listing

• Includes detailed violation logging

• Most settings and checks can be configured through the /vulcan gui interface

• Comes largely preconfigured, making the initial setup easier than highly technical alternatives

Cons:

• It is a paid plugin rather than a free or open-source option

• Some configuration and testing are still required to reduce false positives

• Custom movement, combat or ability plugins may require check exemptions or adjusted thresholds

• Punishments are not necessarily enabled by default, so owners must configure how violations are handled

• PacketEvents may be required depending on the current Vulcan release and setup

Best use case:
Vulcan is best suited to Spigot, Paper and Folia servers that want a premium, general-purpose anti-cheat with broad version support and accessible configuration tools. It is particularly useful for survival, PvP, minigame and network servers that need protection against both combat and movement cheats without building a custom anti-cheat system.

Grim AC (Free)

GrimAC is a free, open-source Minecraft anti-cheat plugin that uses predictive movement simulation to detect unnatural player behaviour. It supports modern and older Minecraft client versions and runs asynchronously to reduce its impact on server performance.

Pros:

• Free and open source

• Strong movement, speed, reach and knockback detection

• Supports Paper, Spigot, Folia and Purpur

• Designed to handle different client versions through ViaVersion

• Asynchronous, multithreaded checks help it scale to larger servers

• Includes latency compensation to reduce false flags caused by lag

• Detailed wiki to guide through setting it up

Cons:

• Configuration can be more technical than beginner-focused alternatives

• Requires Java 17 or newer

• ViaVersion and Floodgate must be installed on the backend server for full compatibility

• Geyser and Bedrock players are currently exempt from GrimAC checks

• The open-source 2.0 branch is described as feature-complete, so major new checks may be reserved for a future premium version

Use Case:

GrimAC is best suited to Java Edition Paper or Spigot servers that want a capable free anti-cheat, particularly PvP, survival and network servers supporting multiple Minecraft client versions. It is less suitable when Bedrock players connecting through Geyser also need full anti-cheat protection.

Polar Anti-Cheat (Paid)

Polar is a premium, subscription-based Minecraft anti-cheat focused on preventing and mitigating cheats rather than relying only on bans. It combines local movement simulation with cloud-based analysis, machine-learning detections and cross-server tracking to reduce the processing load placed on the Minecraft server.

Pricing: For small servers up to 75 players it's ~$17, Medium Servers ~$30, Large servers (networks) ~$70

Pros:

• Uses cloud processing to offload resource-intensive checks

• Includes machine-learning-based behavioural detection

• Applies movement, reach and damage mitigations before issuing punishments

• Supports Minecraft clients from 1.7.10 through 26.1.x

• Supports selected server versions from 1.8.8 through 26.1.x

• Compatible with Paper, Purpur and Spigot

• Tracks suspected cheaters across multiple server instances

• Configuration is designed to be simpler than many traditional anti-cheats

• Experimental Folia support is available

Cons:

• Requires a recurring subscription rather than a one-time purchase

• Servers must pass Polar’s onboarding and evaluation process before purchasing

• Intended mainly for established servers with a player base, website and active community presence

• Requires a continuous internet connection because parts of the detection system use Polar’s cloud

• Bedrock players are ignored rather than fully checked

• Cannot be used alongside another anti-cheat on the same server instance

• ViaVersion running on a BungeeCord or Velocity proxy is not supported

• Some detections may be delayed because they are processed through the cloud

Best use case:

Polar is best suited to established Java Edition PvP, minigame and network servers that want advanced cheat prevention across several backend instances while keeping local CPU usage relatively low. It is less suitable for new hobby servers, Bedrock-focused communities or networks that need to run ViaVersion at the proxy level.

Themis Anti Cheat (Free)

Themis is a free Minecraft anti-cheat plugin focused on movement detection, performance and straightforward configuration. It supports Spigot and Paper servers running Minecraft 1.17 through 1.21.10, with genuine Bedrock-player checking available through Floodgate rather than simply excluding Geyser users.

Pros:

• Free to download and use

• Properly checks both Java and Bedrock players

• Detects movement cheats such as Fly, Speed, NoFall, Jesus, Step, Timer and Elytra Fly

• Includes Reach detection and can identify some KillAura behaviour involving extended reach

• Flexible per-check actions, thresholds and command-based punishments

• Can block suspicious movement by moving players back

• Designed to have a relatively low server-performance impact

• Does not require ProtocolLib on current versions

• Integrates with Anti Cheat Replay for reviewing recorded violations

Cons:

• Primarily focused on movement cheats rather than providing broad combat, inventory and world-interaction detection

• Bedrock detection may produce more false positives because of differences between Bedrock, Java and Geyser movement

• Bedrock support requires the Bukkit version of Floodgate on every backend server

• Only officially supports Minecraft 1.17 through 1.21.10

• Officially supports Spigot and Paper; compatibility with other forks is not guaranteed

• Server owners should configure punishment thresholds carefully before enabling automatic bans

• Its feature set is narrower than larger premium anti-cheat solutions

Best Use Case:

Themis is best suited to small or medium-sized Paper and Spigot survival servers that need a free, lightweight movement anti-cheat. It is also a strong option for Geyser networks that want Bedrock players to receive actual anti-cheat checks, provided the owner is prepared to configure Floodgate correctly and monitor Bedrock false positives.

Spartan AntiCheat (Paid)

Spartan (cost: ~$25) is a configurable Minecraft anti-cheat and anti-exploit plugin that detects combat, movement, world and inventory-related cheats. It supports a broad range of Minecraft versions and server platforms, including Spigot, Paper, Purpur and Folia, with detection options for Java and Geyser-connected players.

Pros:

• Detects common cheats including KillAura, Reach, AimAssist, Fly, Speed, NoFall, Scaffold and AutoClicker

• Supports Minecraft versions from 1.7 through modern releases

• Compatible with Bukkit, Spigot, Paper, Purpur and Folia

• Provides configurable checks, punishments and prevention settings

• Includes staff notifications and player violation information

• Offers commands for temporarily bypassing individual checks

• Includes support for identifying Bedrock players

• Provides a developer API for custom integrations

Cons:

• The Modrinth edition is limited to two hours of detection time after each server restart unless additional time is manually charged

• The unrestricted version requires a paid licence

• Extensive configuration may be needed for servers with custom movement, combat mechanics or abilities

• Elytra and entity detections are described as relatively basic

• Purchase verification and some functionality may require external connections

• Incorrectly configured punishments or thresholds could affect legitimate players

• Server owners should test the checks carefully before enabling automatic bans

Best Use Case:

Spartan is best suited to survival, PvP, minigame and cross-version servers that want broad cheat coverage and extensive administrative controls. It may be particularly useful for networks supporting both Java and Bedrock players through Geyser, although custom mechanics should be tested and configured carefully to reduce false positives.

Conclusion:

The best Minecraft anti-cheat plugin depends on your server’s size, budget and gameplay. GrimAC is a strong free option for Java servers, while Themis suits smaller servers and communities that need Bedrock support through Geyser. Vulcan and Spartan provide broader premium protection with accessible configuration, while Polar is aimed more at established PvP networks that need advanced cloud-based detection.

Whichever plugin you choose, test it carefully before enabling automatic punishments. Custom movement, high latency and unusual server mechanics can all cause false positives, so a well-configured anti-cheat will usually perform better than one installed with default settings and left unchecked.

Implementing Anti Cheat Plugins

To successfully integrate anti cheat plugins into your server, follow these steps:

1. Research and Choose: Identify the specific needs of your server. Consider factors like server size, typical player behavior, and the types of cheats you're most concerned about.

2. Download and Install: Once you’ve chosen a plugin, download it from a reputable source like SpigotMC or Bukkit. Place the plugin’s .jar file into your server’s plugins folder.

3. Configure Settings: Access the plugin’s configuration files to adjust its settings according to your server’s requirements. This might involve setting thresholds for certain actions or enabling specific checks.

4. Test and Monitor: Run tests to ensure the plugin is functioning as expected. Continually monitor player activity and plugin logs to make adjustments as necessary.

Why Server Security Plugins Matter

Beyond anti cheat plugins, server security plugins play a crucial role in protecting your Minecraft server from unauthorized access and exploits. A well-secured server not only stops hackers in their tracks but also enhances the trust and satisfaction of your player base.

Consider integrating security plugins like CoreProtect for block logging and rollback capabilities, or LuckPerms for managing permissions effectively.

Encouraging Fair Play with Voting Rewards

One way to foster a community of fair play is by implementing voting rewards. Encourage players to vote for your server on platforms like MCVoting, rewarding them with in-game items or currency. This not only promotes your server but also discourages cheating by creating a positive, community-driven atmosphere.

List Your Server on MCVoting

To maximize your server’s exposure and attract more players, consider listing it on MCVoting.com. Creating an account is simple; just register your server and start gaining traction today.

What are the best Minecraft server anti cheat plugins?

Some of the best anti cheat plugins include NoCheatPlus and AAC, each offering unique features for different server needs.

How do I stop hackers on my Minecraft server?

Implementing anti cheat and server security plugins is essential to detect and block hacking attempts on your server.

Can I use multiple anti cheat plugins?

Yes, you can use multiple plugins as long as they are compatible. This can enhance the overall security of your server.

Why should I list my server on MCVoting?

Listing your server on MCVoting helps increase visibility and attract more players, contributing to a larger and more active community.