PermissionManager vs ThunderPerms

PermissionManager is a lightweight permission-management plugin for Minecraft servers using Paper or Folia. Administrators can assign a permission node to a player with `/perm add ` and remove one with `/perm remove `. Use of the `/perm` command requires the `perm.use` permission. Configuration uses the YAML files `groups.yml` and `uses.yml`, and `/perm reload` reloads that configuration. The listed pinned version is 1.0.6-20240721, with a stated Minecraft version range of 1.20.2–1.21; a download is labeled `1.20.2-1.21`. English is listed as supported, and the project is categorized as an Admin Tools resource. PermissionManager is free and includes a GPL-3.0 license. Its scope is limited to player permissions: it has no group inheritance, network support, web editor, or temporary permissions. The repository page does not describe support terms.

ThunderPerms is a free permissions plugin for self-hosted Paper servers. It manages UUID-based player permissions, groups, memberships, inheritance, true and false nodes, wildcard nodes, temporary grants, and world-scoped permissions. Group inheritance includes cycle prevention and weights for priority. Expired temporary permissions and memberships are removed automatically. YAML is the default storage backend, with optional SQLite, MySQL, and MariaDB support. Administrators can check and explain permissions, verify or repair data, inspect status, and create backups. Audit logs record permission, group, repair, and backup actions. The API supports permission checks, detailed reasons, user and group inspection, assignments, known groups, and storage health. Safeguards include protected default and built-in administrator groups, path protections against directory traversal, credential redaction, and safer default TLS settings for MySQL and MariaDB. Integrations include the AugmentedThunder suite, StormEconomy, StormParty, and StormFactions. The listed license is Apache 2.0, with Paper and Minecraft version 26.1.2 specified.