The essential plugins for a Minecraft server
Ranks, protection, anti-grief, performance, cross-play, Discord, votes: a selection of free, reliable plugins to launch a Paper server.
Updated on
No need to install fifty plugins: a stable server relies on a few solid tools. Here is a free, proven base for a Paper server, sorted by need. For installation, see installing plugins.
Management and ranks
- LuckPerms: permissions and ranks (player, VIP, moderator…). The reference, with a very handy web editor.
- EssentialsX: basic commands (
/home,/spawn,/tpa,/msg, kits, welcome messages). Add Vault, which links the economy to other plugins.
Protection and moderation
- CoreProtect: logs who placed or broke every block, and lets you roll back griefing with one command. Essential on a public server.
- WorldGuard (with WorldEdit): protects the spawn and server areas, and sets PvP, explosions or mob spawning per area.
- GriefPrevention or Lands: players protect their own land, ideal for a Survival server.
Performance
- spark: measures TPS and finds what slows the server down (an oversized farm, a resource-hungry plugin).
- Chunky: pre-generates the map before opening, to avoid lag when players explore.
Community
- Geyser and Floodgate: Bedrock players (mobile, console) join your Java server without a Java account. A way to reach cross-play players too.
- DiscordSRV: links the game chat to a Discord channel.
- TAB: customizes the player list (Tab key) and the ranks shown above heads.
Votes and rewards
- NuVotifier: receives votes from ranking sites. Paired with VotingPlugin, it gives an in-game reward for every vote. This is what makes players vote the most: see setting up NuVotifier.
Good practices
- Fewer plugins means fewer bugs: only install what really serves your game mode.
- Prefer recently updated plugins that are compatible with your version.
- Test new plugins on a copy of the server before putting them into production.
Is your server ready? List it for free so players can find it.