AntiGuard vs Shard

AntiGuard is a free anti-cheat plugin for Minecraft Paper and Purpur servers. Its checks cover Fly, Speed, Reach, NoSwing, KillAura, AutoClick, NoFall, and FastBreak, with flag, kick, and ban actions. An embedded web dashboard displays flags, bans, and kicks and lets administrators adjust detection settings live. The REST API exposes statistics, flags, bans, kicks, and configuration endpoints; write operations require an API token if one has been set. AntiGuard can use storage configured for LuckPerms and records data in tables prefixed with `antiguard_`. Documented database options are SQLite, H2, MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL, with bundled SQLite used if LuckPerms storage cannot safely be reused. Installation is a single JAR copied into the server’s `plugins/` folder, followed by a restart. The guide specifies Paper or Purpur 1.20.x and Java 17. The project calls itself an MVP, and its maker recommends adjusting thresholds or check tolerances if legitimate players are flagged.

Shard is a Minecraft server anti-cheat service combining a plugin for self-hosted servers with a cloud dashboard. Its behavior analysis is trained on real gameplay, and Shard says it detects cheaters without manual review. Listed detection coverage includes killaura, aim assist and triggerbot. The dashboard brings statistics for connected servers together. To set it up, users install the plugin, create a server in the dashboard and connect it with the /shard connect command. The plugin requires Java 17 or newer and a Paper or Folia server; supported storage options include SQLite and MySQL, with MariaDB also described in the documentation. Shard describes its software as open source, and the plugin is licensed under GPLv3. Shard 1 Flash is available on any plan; the more accurate Shard 1 Pro is available on paid plans after account verification. A credit covers 400,000 checks with Flash or 100,000 with Pro. The Free plan is free and includes five monthly credits, one server and up to 10 online players.