CheckHacks

The full write-up

Overview CheckHacks is a free Minecraft server plugin for administrators who want to investigate client-side mods and hack clients without requiring players to install a client mod. It is best suited to operators who can maintain a compatible server and want a focused detection and review workflow; client patches can temporarily defeat its detection method, so it should not be the only layer of protection. Key features The plugin briefly places signs with special translation keys and watches how a player's client responds. That gives server staff a way to check for modifications without distributing software to players, but detection depends on a response the plugin can recognize. The maker warns that mod developers can patch clients to block this method, temporarily stopping detection for those clients. Administrators can select METEOR, TRANSLATE or KEYBIND detection modes for each mod, and add custom detections in checkhacks.yml . When a scan returns DETECTED or PROTECTED, DoubleCheck repeats it to help reduce false positives. That repeat check can make a result more useful to investigate, but it does not eliminate the method's susceptibility to client patches. CheckHacks can run checks after Grim, Vulcan, Spartan or Matrix flags a player, making it a follow-up tool for servers already using one of those anticheats rather than a substitute for their flagging. Custom commands and detection alerts give staff a way to act on results. Separate Discord webhooks for hack checks and language checks, with a Components V2 option, help keep those notifications distinct. The web editor runs on the game server and lets administrators review scan history, look up players and start checks in a browser. Access uses one-time tokens generated with /cheditor , rather than a shared password. Scan history is stored in a built-in SQLite database, so operators do not need to configure a separate database. The plugin also supports replay analysis. Pricing CheckHacks is free: the CheckHacks plan costs nothing, is always free and accepts optional donations. There is no free trial because there is no paid plan to trial. This removes a subscription cost for server operators, though it does not remove the work of running a compatible Minecraft server and reviewing results. Platforms CheckHacks is self-hosted and web-based, with the web editor running on the game server. Its server compatibility includes Paper, Spigot and Folia, and the supported Minecraft version range is 1.21+. The broader compatibility listing also names Bukkit and Purpur. Operators on other server platforms or older Minecraft versions should not assume compatibility. Who it's for CheckHacks is a sensible fit for Minecraft server administrators who want no-client-install checks, configurable mod detections and browser access to scan records. It is particularly relevant to servers already using Grim, Vulcan, Spartan or Matrix, since those tools can trigger a follow-up check. Servers seeking a standalone, comprehensive guarantee against modified clients should look elsewhere or use it alongside other defenses. Pros and cons Pros: Players need no client install, lowering friction for community servers. Pros: Per-mod detection modes and custom entries let administrators tailor checks to their needs. Pros: Repeat scans, saved history and token-based browser access support investigation without separate database setup. Pros: Integration with four named anticheats lets servers use CheckHacks as a follow-up check. Cons: Client patches can temporarily block detection, limiting its reliability against clients that adapt to the method. Cons: The supported Minecraft range starts at 1.21+, ruling it out for servers on older versions. Alternatives For a wider look at server defenses, browse Minecraft anti-cheat plugins . MLSAC is another option with a free Beginner plan that includes the Mini model, and supports web and Windows. AntiGuard is a free, MIT-licensed option for Paper and Purpur 1.20.x on Java 17, making it relevant to operators on that older version range. GuardAC offers a free plan and a free trial, with API and web platforms. MOG-ANTICHEAT is a free self-hosted alternative; its notes warn that bugs may exist, particularly on 1.12.2 compared with 1.8.9. Advanced Anti-Cheat is a free self-hosted option with a public GitHub repository. VelocityGuard is a free, MIT-licensed Minecraft Paper plugin. ExploitShield is a free self-hosted option for Minecraft 1.17.x–1.21.x on Paper, Spigot or Folia, with PacketEvents 2.13.0+ and ProtocolLib 5.4.0+ required. FoxAddition Anti-Cheat is a free self-hosted Minecraft server plugin whose GitHub release instructions require PacketEvents 2.11.0+. Verdict Choose CheckHacks if you run a compatible Minecraft server and want free, server-side checks with custom detections, anticheat follow-ups and a built-in review history—without asking players to install anything. Look elsewhere or pair it with other defenses if you need protection that cannot be temporarily blocked by client patches.