Best Minecraft Anticheat Plugin: Free & Premium Options for 2025

If you run a Minecraft server, you know how frustrating cheaters can be. Finding a good anticheat plugin that doesn't tank your performance or your budget is a real challenge. This FAQ answers the most common questions about choosing the right protection, looking at the best free and premium options to help you keep gameplay fair and your server running smoothly.

What's the Best Free Minecraft Anticheat Plugin?

For a free option, Grim Anticheat is the go-to choice for most servers. It's an open-source tool compatible with game versions from 1.8 all the way to 1.21. Its fully asynchronous, multithreaded design means it won't bog down your server's performance.

Here’s what sets it apart:

Advanced movement simulation that replicates every type of player movement, even riding entities.
Cross-version compatibility that works with a huge range of game updates, from legacy to modern.
A scalable design that's perfect for servers with a high player count.
Professional-grade detection capabilities at zero cost.

As one SpigotMC reviewer noted: "Grim Anticheat's prediction engine is truly amazing, something you'd never expect from something free."

Minecraft anticheat plugin comparison interface — Modern anticheat tools offer intuitive configuration dashboards for server administrators.

Which Minecraft Plugin Anticheat Works with Bedrock Edition?

If your server supports both Java and Bedrock players, Spartan Anti Cheat is one of the most comprehensive solutions available. It's been downloaded over 94,000 times and supports game versions from 1.7 to 1.20. It also offers:

Full support for Bedrock/Geyser on cross-platform servers.
Flexible punishment options, from simple warnings to automatic bans.
Easy-to-use in-game menus for configuration and adjustments.
Compatibility with nearly every active version of the game.

For another free option, Themis Anti Cheat also has real Bedrock support and is built for accuracy and efficiency on small to medium-sized servers.

Should I Use Multiple Anticheat Plugins Together?

Yes, you can get better protection against sophisticated Java hacks by combining a primary anticheat with a secondary detection tool. The recommended approach is:

Primary: Use Grim Anticheat or Spartan as your main line of defense. Secondary: Add BetterAnticheat as a lightweight, platform-independent tool to back it up.

This layered strategy helps you catch a wider variety of cheats without hurting server performance. BetterAnticheat is designed specifically to be a secondary tool, expanding your detection capabilities without causing conflicts with your primary system.

Server protection dashboard showing multiple anticheat layers — Layered anticheat protection provides comprehensive coverage against various hack types.

What Are the System Requirements for Modern Anticheat Plugins?

Most modern anticheat tools, including Grim and Themis, will require:

Java 17 or higher for optimal performance and security.
Paper, Spigot, or Folia server software (Bukkit support varies).
Adequate RAM allocation for asynchronous processing.
Regular updates to maintain effectiveness against new exploits.

Meeting these requirements ensures your chosen tool can handle modern hacking techniques while keeping your server stable.

Next Steps: Choose Your Protection Strategy

The right anticheat for you depends on your server's specific needs. Your player count, supported game versions, and budget all factor into the decision.

For a detailed breakdown of detection methods, performance benchmarks, and setup guides, explore our comprehensive anticheat plugin comparison. This in-depth analysis will help you select the best solution to protect your community and keep the game fair for everyone.