Shard

Shard provides cloud protection against combat cheats on Minecraft servers through a plugin and dashboard. Its behavior analysis is described as trained on real gameplay, and its listed detection coverage includes killaura, aim assist and triggerbot. The dashboard shows statistics for connected servers. Setup involves installing the plugin, creating a server in the dashboard and linking it with the /shard connect command. The plugin requires Java 17 or newer and a Paper or Folia server, and supports SQLite or MySQL storage; the documentation also mentions MariaDB and optional WorldGuard region controls. Shard describes the software as open source, with the plugin released under GPLv3. Shard 1 Flash is available on any plan; the more accurate Shard 1 Pro is available on paid plans after account verification. One credit covers 400,000 checks with Flash or 100,000 with Pro. The free plan costs nothing and provides five monthly credits, one server and up to 10 players online. Paid plans raise these limits; the Max plan lists 2,100 monthly credits, up to 100 servers and 800 players online for 7,990 RUB a month. If credits run out, checks stop being accepted.

Shard combines server-side plugin checks with centralized statistics and supports self-hosting. Confirm compatibility and estimate credit needs, since checks stop when credits are exhausted.

Shard suits Minecraft server operators using Paper or Folia who want combat-cheat detection and a dashboard for server statistics. Operators should check server requirements and plan credit and player limits.

Shard is a cloud-connected Minecraft anti-cheat plugin for server operators who need combat-cheat analysis and a single view of several servers. It is best suited to Paper or Folia networks that can meet its Java 17 requirement and manage usage by credits. The central dashboard and open-source plugin are compelling, but player, server, and credit ceilings make plan selection consequential.

Overview

Shard links a server plugin to a cloud service that analyzes player behavior and aggregates statistics for every connected server. Its detection model is trained on real gameplay and is intended to identify cheaters without manual review, which suits operators who want an automated layer rather than a moderation process built around reviewing each case.

Getting started is a three-step workflow: install the plugin, create the server in the dashboard, and connect it with /shard connect. The default enforcement policy kicks on the first detection and then issues temporary bans of up to 30 days. That is a useful starting point for a server without an existing punishment policy, but administrators should adjust expectations and configuration to match their own moderation standards.

Key features

• Combat-focused detection: coverage includes killaura, aim assist, and triggerbot, with replay analysis available. This is a clear fit for combat-cheat prevention, not a promise of coverage for every kind of Minecraft automation.
• Two analysis models: Shard 1 Flash is included on every plan. Shard 1 Pro is described as more accurate, but requires a paid plan and account verification. The choice directly affects capacity: one credit covers 400,000 Flash checks or 100,000 Pro checks.
• Central statistics: the cloud dashboard puts connected-server statistics in one place, a practical advantage for networks where staff oversee multiple instances.
• Open-source deployment: Shard describes the software as fully open source, allowing operators to inspect checks, self-host, or contribute through GitHub. The plugin is released under GPLv3.
• Storage and controls: SQLite and MySQL are supported, with documentation also describing MariaDB options and optional WorldGuard region controls.
• Telemetry control: online-player counts and TPS are sent to the dashboard by default, but telemetry can be disabled in configuration. This gives privacy-conscious administrators an explicit opt-out.
• Credit safeguards: checks stop being accepted when the credit balance reaches zero, and the server console reports INSUFFICIENT_CREDITS. Operators must therefore monitor consumption rather than assume detection continues indefinitely.

Pricing

Shard uses a freemium, monthly credit model. The Free plan costs nothing month and includes 5 credits, one server, up to 10 online players, ML cheat detection, and the cloud dashboard and statistics. It is suitable for a small server or an evaluation deployment, but the low allowance and single-server limit leave little room for a larger community.

Plus costs 1,490 RUB a month (billed 1490 ₽/ mo) for 160 credits, up to 60 players, and three servers. Pro is 2,490 RUB a month (billed 2490 ₽/ mo), with 400 credits, 150 players, and 10 servers. Business costs 3,490 RUB a month (billed 3490 ₽/ mo) and raises those limits to 800 credits, 300 players, and 25 servers. Scale is 4,990 RUB a month (billed 4990 ₽/ mo) for 1,300 credits, 500 players, and 50 servers. Max costs 7,990 RUB a month (billed 7990 ₽/ mo), providing 2,100 credits, 800 players, and 100 servers. Every paid tier includes ML cheat detection, the dashboard, and statistics; paid access is also what unlocks Shard 1 Pro after verification.

Enterprise uses custom pricing and includes unlimited servers, dedicated inference, a custom-trained model, and dedicated support. Across all plans, credit exhaustion stops checks, so Pro’s greater accuracy comes with four times the credit consumption per equivalent check compared with Flash.

Platforms

Shard is available as self-hosted software with a web dashboard. The plugin requires Java 17 or newer and a Paper- or Folia-based server, with SQLite or MySQL storage supported. Operators on other server software should look elsewhere.

Who it's for

Shard fits Minecraft networks that want centralized oversight across several servers, automated combat-cheat decisions, and the option to inspect or self-host an open-source plugin. Free is appropriate for a small test or low-population server; Plus through Max target progressively larger networks with defined player and server counts. Enterprise is the logical route for organizations needing unlimited servers, dedicated inference, or a custom model.

Pros and cons

Pros

• One dashboard consolidates statistics across connected servers.
• Open-source GPLv3 software supports inspection, self-hosting, and contributions.
• Flash is available on every plan, while paid verified accounts can choose the more accurate Pro model.
• SQLite, MySQL, MariaDB options, and WorldGuard controls accommodate varied server setups.
• Replay analysis and coverage for killaura, aim assist, and triggerbot give the service a defined combat focus.

Cons

• Java 17 plus Paper or Folia compatibility excludes other server stacks.
• Checks stop immediately when credits run out, creating an operational risk for busy servers.
• Pro consumes credits four times faster than Flash for the same check count and is restricted to paid, verified accounts.
• The free tier is limited to 10 players and one server, making it unsuitable for established networks.
• Default kicks and bans can be too aggressive without moderation-policy review.

Alternatives

Minecraft Anti-Cheat Plugins is the broader starting point when you want to compare the category rather than commit to Shard.

Intave is a freemium, self-hosted and web alternative with a free movement- and combat-detection tier, but its free plan excludes combat automation detection, build automation detection, and priority support.

MLSAC offers a free Beginner plan with its Mini model and supports web and Windows.

MOG-ANTICHEAT is a free self-hosted option; its plan notes that bugs may exist, with potentially more issues on 1.12.2 than 1.8.9.

Advanced Anti-Cheat is a free self-hosted plugin distributed through a public GitHub repository.

AntiGuard is free, MIT-licensed, and supports Paper/Purpur 1.20.x with Java 17.

CheckHacks is an always-free self-hosted and web option with donations optional.

ExploitShield is free for Minecraft 1.17.x–1.21.x on Paper, Spigot, or Folia with Java 17+, but requires PacketEvents and ProtocolLib.

FoxAddition Anti-Cheat is a free self-hosted Minecraft plugin whose GitHub release instructions require PacketEvents 2.11.0 or newer.

Verdict

Choose Shard if you run a Paper or Folia network and value centralized multi-server statistics, automated combat detection, and open-source control. Its main reason to leave is the credit-stop behavior and the tight free-tier limits; networks that cannot reliably forecast player load or need broader compatibility should consider another anti-cheat.