Overview

LibertyBans is a free Minecraft server plugin for administering punishments and staff permissions. It is best suited to server owners who need consistent moderation across a network or want tighter control over which staff can act. Its broad platform and database support is a strength, though Java 17 and some platform-specific dependencies add setup work.

Key features

Moderators can issue bans, mutes, warnings, kicks, and temporary punishments, with corresponding removal commands for players and IP addresses. Configurable templates can vary the punishment type, reason, and duration, while exemptions can restrict who may punish whom—for example, preventing trainees from banning administrators. These controls help teams apply policy consistently, but owners need to configure them around their staff structure.

LibertyBans can automatically apply IP bans to suspected alternate accounts, show suspected alts through a command, and notify staff when those accounts join. That can help moderators respond to repeat evasion, but automatic enforcement may not suit servers that prefer to review suspected links before acting.

For multi-server setups, LibertyBans can run on a proxy or across backend servers configured to synchronize. A local HyperSQL database is an option for simpler deployments; MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL support gives network operators remote database choices. Configuration also extends to connection pool and statement cache settings, which offers administrators control over database behavior without changing the core punishment workflow.

The project provides a developer API for other plugins to work with LibertyBans. It also says dependencies use secure SHA-512 hashes and builds are reproducible so checksums can be verified. Most of the project is licensed under GNU AGPL version 3 or later, with some components under GNU LGPL version 3 or later—terms worth reviewing if you plan to redistribute or build on it.

Pricing

LibertyBans is free: the Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes the software for supported Minecraft server platforms. There are no paid tiers or published seat or usage caps in the plan description. The tradeoff is operational rather than financial: server owners must provide Java 17 and satisfy platform-specific requirements themselves.

Platforms

LibertyBans supports Bukkit, Spigot, Paper, Purpur, Folia, BungeeCord, Waterfall, Fabric, Sponge, and Velocity. It is self-hosted and also provides an API for other plugins. Fabric requires adventure-platform-mod; for mutes on a Velocity proxy, SignedVelocity must be installed on both the proxy and backend servers. Those dependencies make it important to check the target server stack before deployment.

Who it's for

Choose LibertyBans if you run a Minecraft server or network that needs several punishment types, configurable staff authority, or synchronized moderation across instances. It is less compelling for owners who want a minimal setup with no dependency checks, or who need moderation controls outside Minecraft server environments.

Pros and cons

Pro: Broad punishment and removal commands cover players and IP addresses, including temporary sanctions.
Pro: Templates and exemptions let administrators align punishments and staff permissions with server policy.
Pro: Many server platforms and four database choices accommodate varied single-server and network deployments.
Con: Java 17 is required, and Fabric and Velocity mutes add specific dependencies to manage.
Con: Automatic IP bans for suspected alternate accounts may be too aggressive for teams that require manual review.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Minecraft Moderation Plugins. ModGUI is another free, self-hosted option for Paper 1.21.11 or newer. Staff+ is free and self-hosted for Paper, Purpur, or Folia 1.20–1.21+ and Velocity 3.3.0+.

Nimbus AntiCheat is a free self-hosted alternative focused on 43 checks, per-check punishments, reports, staff inspection tools, and Discord webhook notifications, with Paper 1.21.8 support. ExtraBan is a free self-hosted plugin for Paper or a fork, requiring Java 25+. Player Report is a free self-hosted Minecraft server plugin whose native/tested major version is 1.21. ReportsGUI is a free self-hosted report tool for native Minecraft 1.17 servers, capped at 54 unhandled reports.

BanManager is a free, open-source option spanning API, Linux, self-hosted, and web platforms. AdvancedSensitiveWords is another free self-hosted alternative.

Verdict

LibertyBans is a strong choice for server owners who need configurable punishments and staff boundaries across varied Minecraft platforms or multiple instances. Its main advantage is the combination of moderation controls, network support, and database flexibility at no cost; look elsewhere if Java and platform-specific dependencies would make deployment more work than your server needs.

	LibertyBans	PunishmentsSystem
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, self-hosted	self-hosted
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Proxy support	Yes	—

LibertyBans vs PunishmentsSystem

LibertyBans

PunishmentsSystem