CheckHacks vs Shard

CheckHacks is a free, server-side Minecraft anticheat that detects client-side mods and hack clients using the Sign Translation Vulnerability. Players do not need to install a client mod: the plugin briefly places signs with special translation keys and checks the client’s response. Administrators can choose METEOR, TRANSLATE, or KEYBIND detection modes for each mod and add custom detections in checkhacks.yml. DoubleCheck repeats scans that return DETECTED or PROTECTED to help reduce false positives. CheckHacks can check players after Grim, Vulcan, Spartan, or Matrix flags them, and supports custom commands and detection alerts. A browser editor running on the game server lets administrators review scan history, look up players, and start checks. Access uses one-time tokens, while scan records are kept in a built-in SQLite database. Named server platforms include Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Purpur, and Spigot, with Minecraft versions 1.21 and later listed. The maker warns that client patches can temporarily block the detection method. The project is MIT-licensed, and donations are optional.

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.