Shard

Overview

Shard pairs a Minecraft server plugin with cloud-based combat-cheat analysis and a dashboard for connected servers. It is best suited to Paper or Folia operators who want a shared view across a small network and can manage credit-based checks. The key trade-off is centralized statistics and open-source software against firm player, server and monthly credit ceilings.

Getting started means installing the plugin, creating a server in the dashboard and connecting it with /shard connect. The default response kicks a player on the first detection, then uses temporary bans of up to 30 days. That provides an enforcement path out of the box, but operators should decide whether those actions fit their moderation policy.

Key features

Combat detection: Coverage includes killaura, aim assist and triggerbot, with replay analysis. This is a focused combat-cheat tool, not a general answer to every form of server abuse.

Model choice: Shard 1 Flash is available on all plans. Shard 1 Pro is described as more accurate, but requires a paid plan and account verification. One credit covers 400,000 checks with Flash or 100,000 with Pro, so Pro uses the allowance four times as quickly per check.

Central dashboard: Statistics from connected servers appear in one cloud dashboard, useful for operators managing several servers. The service also sends online player counts and TPS by default; telemetry can be disabled in configuration.

Open source and storage: Shard says users can inspect its checks, self-host or contribute on GitHub; the plugin is licensed under GPLv3. It supports SQLite or MySQL storage, with MariaDB also described as a database option. Optional WorldGuard region controls provide another way to constrain where the plugin applies.

Credit exhaustion: Once credits run out, checks stop being accepted and the console reports INSUFFICIENT_CREDITS. Operators near their allowance should account for that interruption rather than assuming analysis continues at reduced capacity.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes 5 credits per month, up to 10 players online and one server. It includes ML cheat detection and cloud statistics, making it a useful small-server trial, but the low caps leave little room for a growing community. Paid plans retain those features while raising capacity:

Plus — 1,490 RUB a month: 160 credits monthly, up to 60 players online and three servers. This is the entry paid tier for operators who outgrow Free but do not need a larger network.

Pro — 2,490 RUB a month: 400 credits, up to 150 players and 10 servers. It suits a mid-sized operation; the additional capacity matters only if both player and server limits match your deployment.

Business — 3,490 RUB a month: 800 credits, up to 300 players and 25 servers. It is the step up for larger networks that would otherwise hit Pro’s caps.

Scale — 4,990 RUB a month: 1,300 credits, up to 500 players and 50 servers, for operators with substantial multi-server capacity needs.

Max — 7,990 RUB a month: 2,100 credits, up to 800 players and 100 servers. It offers the highest stated standard-plan limits, though the same credit-based constraint remains.

Enterprise — custom pricing: unlimited servers, dedicated inference, a custom-trained model and dedicated support. This is aimed at operators whose requirements exceed Max or who need a dedicated service arrangement.

Every listed plan includes ML cheat detection and cloud dashboard and stats. The credit allowance is the material limit across tiers: the more accurate Pro model consumes credits faster than Flash, and checks stop when the balance is exhausted. The service also lists a separate allowance of three licensed servers, so operators should confirm how that applies alongside each plan’s server cap.

Platforms

The plugin requires Java 17 or newer and a Paper- or Folia-based server; listed server platforms are Paper and Folia. Shard supports self-hosted and web use, combining a server-side plugin with cloud dashboard access. This requirement rules it out for operators on other server software or older Java versions.

Who it's for

Shard fits Minecraft operators who run Paper or Folia, want combat-cheat detection across connected servers, and value inspectable plugin code alongside a centralized dashboard. Free can suit a very small server, while the paid tiers map to progressively higher player, server and credit needs. It is a weaker fit for teams that need broader cheat-category coverage, cannot tolerate checks stopping at credit exhaustion, or do not want telemetry sent to a cloud dashboard by default.

Pros and cons

Pro: GPLv3 licensing and the option to inspect, self-host or contribute make the plugin more transparent and adaptable than a closed server-side component.

Pro: A single dashboard aggregates statistics across connected servers, which is useful for multi-server operators.

Pro: Flash is included on every plan, and its 400,000 checks per credit stretch the allowance further than Pro.

Con: Coverage is limited to three named combat cheats, so operators seeking a broader range of detection need another fit.

Con: Credit exhaustion stops checks altogether; the default kick and temporary-ban sequence also calls for moderation-policy review.

Con: Java 17+, Paper or Folia, and plan-specific player and server ceilings narrow the range of servers it can serve.

Alternatives

Minecraft Anti-Cheat Plugins is the broader directory to consult when comparing server anti-cheat options.

GuardAC is another freemium option with a free trial; choose it if API and web platforms better suit your setup.

MLSAC has a free Beginner plan with the Mini model and supports web and Windows, making it an option for those platforms.

Intave has a free tier for movement and combat cheat detection, but its free plan excludes combat automation detection, build automation detection and priority support.

AntiGuard is free, MIT-licensed software for Paper/Purpur 1.20.x on Java 17; consider it if that specific server version and self-hosted setup fit.

Advanced Anti-Cheat is a free, self-hosted option with a public GitHub repository.

CheckHacks is always free, with donations optional, and supports self-hosted and web use.

MOG-ANTICHEAT is a free self-hosted option; its description cautions that bugs may exist.

Polar Anticheat is a paid option with API, Linux, self-hosted, web and Windows platforms; its Small server plan costs €15 a month and includes 75 players and five server instances.

Verdict

Choose Shard if you run a Java 17+ Paper or Folia network and want open-source plugin code, cloud statistics across servers and focused combat-cheat analysis. Its strongest case is that combination of inspectability and centralized oversight. Look elsewhere if your server falls outside its compatibility requirements, you need broader detection, or the credit ceilings and stop-on-exhaustion behavior are unacceptable.