Overview

Staff+ ships as distinct Paper and Velocity JARs, which can use the same database, configuration format, and migration system. Both editions cover bans, IP bans, mutes, warnings, punishment history, and staff rollback, so moderation records can remain consistent across a network.

Operators can store punishment data in SQLite or MySQL-compatible MySQL and MariaDB. Configurable staff weights keep junior moderators from overriding or removing punishments set by senior staff or console, an important control for teams with different authority levels.

Key features

Velocity enforcement

The Velocity edition checks bans and IP bans before login reaches a backend server, and filters muted players’ chat across connected servers. That proxy-level reach is valuable when players move between servers; a Paper-only deployment does not provide this cross-server enforcement.

Paper staff utilities

Paper adds vanish, live inventory inspection, spectator follow, flight toggles, and gamemode shortcuts. These tools make the plugin useful for day-to-day staff work, but they are specific to the Paper edition rather than shared across both JARs.

Migration and integrations

The importer covers Vanilla Minecraft, Essentials and EssentialsX, LiteBans, AdvancedBan, MaxBans, BanManager, and BungeeAdminTools. That breadth can reduce friction when replacing an existing moderation system. Discord webhook moderation logs and a Modrinth update notifier add useful operational touchpoints without changing the core role of the plugin.

Folia and privacy

The Paper edition supports Folia-safe regional scheduling and asynchronous teleports, relevant to operators running Folia. Both editions collect anonymous bStats usage metrics, which operators can disable in bStats configuration; teams that require metrics to be off should account for that setting.

Pricing

Staff+ — 0.00 USD per free. The free plan is released under the MIT License and covers Paper, Purpur, and Folia 1.20–1.21+, plus Velocity 3.3.0+. There are no paid tiers or seat-based plan distinctions in the stated offer. Operators still need to select and deploy the appropriate JAR or JARs for their setup.

Platforms

Staff+ is self-hosted software for Paper, Purpur, Folia, and Velocity. The project requires Java 21 or higher and Gradle or its included wrapper to build. The MIT License permits use under its terms, while anonymous bStats metrics can be switched off through bStats configuration.

Who it's for

Choose Staff+ if you operate a modern Minecraft network and want common punishment records, proxy-side enforcement, migration from one of its supported systems, and Paper staff utilities. It is less compelling for a server that needs only a narrow reporting or anti-cheat function, or for a network that cannot use its supported server editions and Java requirements.

Pros and cons

Pros

Shared database and migration system let Paper and Velocity deployments coordinate moderation across servers.
Velocity checks bans before backend login and filters muted chat network-wide.
Broad importer coverage supports migration from several named Minecraft moderation systems.
Configurable staff weights protect senior and console punishments from lower-ranking staff.

Cons

Paper utilities and Velocity enforcement live in separate JARs, so operators must match deployment to the network’s architecture.
Building requires Java 21 or higher, which may not suit older build environments.
bStats metrics are collected by default and require an opt-out configuration change.

Alternatives

Minecraft Moderation Plugins is the broader category to browse if Staff+ does not match your server setup. For a different software category, see HR Software.

LibertyBans is another free option for API or self-hosted use; consider it if Java 17 support is a better fit than Staff+’s Java 21 build requirement.
ModGUI is a free, self-hosted option for Paper 1.21.11 or newer; choose it if that narrower platform target suits your server.
Nimbus AntiCheat is a free self-hosted alternative with 43 checks, per-check punishments, player reports, staff inspection tools, and Discord webhook notifications; pick it when anti-cheat checks are the priority.
ExtraBan is a free self-hosted plugin for Paper or a fork, with a Java 25+ requirement; consider it if that environment fits your deployment.
Player Report is a free self-hosted Minecraft server plugin, native/tested for major version 1.21; choose it when that version target aligns with your needs.
ReportsGUI is a free self-hosted plugin for major Minecraft version 1.17, capped at 54 unhandled reports; it may suit an operator seeking a report queue with that stated limit.
BanManager is an open-source alternative whose maker welcomes contributions; consider it if contributing to an open-source project is a priority.
AdvancedSensitiveWords is another free, self-hosted option.

Verdict

Staff+ is a strong choice for operators of Paper-family and Velocity networks who want shared moderation, cross-server enforcement, and useful Paper staff tools without a license cost. Look elsewhere if your server platform or build environment does not meet its requirements, or if your need is limited to a specialized reporting or anti-cheat tool.

	Employment Hero	Staff+
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	self-hosted
Free plan	No	Yes
Employee records	Yes	—
Time-off management	Yes	—
Employee onboarding	Yes	—
Performance management	Yes	—
Time tracking	Yes	—
Mobile apps	Yes	—

Employment Hero vs Staff+

Employment Hero

Staff+