BanManager

Overview

BanManager is a collection of moderation plugins and related apps for Minecraft server teams. It brings together player punishments, chat controls, reporting, warnings, and staff records, with options for running moderation across multiple servers. The software is open source and free.

Its server-side tools can store data locally in H2 or connect to MySQL or MariaDB. That choice affects what can be added: the self-hosted WebUI requires a remote MySQL 5+ or MariaDB 10+ database, and does not work with the default H2 storage. For category browsing, see the Minecraft Moderation Plugins list.

Key features

Punishments and chat moderation

Moderators can ban players, block IP addresses, mute players, and prevent the use of profane names. BanManager can also respond to chat spam with mutes, including shadow mutes. These options cover both account-level discipline and problems unfolding in chat.

Reports, warnings, and staff records

Players can report behavior while staff are away. Staff can return to review and resolve those reports rather than relying on someone being available at the moment an incident occurs.

Warnings can be configured to trigger commands once a player reaches a chosen warning count, with responses that grow more severe as warnings accumulate. Staff can add notes to a player's record and see its history, including unbans and the staff member responsible for issuing them.

WebUI and multi-server administration

The optional self-hosted WebUI adds a staff-facing dashboard for one or more servers, along with appeals, reports, and role-based permissions. It requires BanManager-WebEnhancer as well as MySQL 5+ or MariaDB 10+; H2 is not supported for this setup.

The developer API lets other plugins read and change punishment data and receive events when punishments change. Messages can be customized with color codes and JSON messages. For networks, local punishments are checked every 30 seconds by default and global punishments every two minutes. More frequent checks can increase database use.

Storage and security

BanManager supports local H2 storage and remote MySQL or MariaDB storage. Remote databases can be used to share data between servers or to enable the WebUI. The WebUI documentation warns that its browser installer is unauthenticated by default and recommends setting a SETUP_TOKEN before making setup reachable from the internet. It also uses a 64-character hexadecimal ENCRYPTION_KEY to encrypt stored BanManager database passwords.

Pricing

BanManager is free. There is a free plan, and no free trial is listed.

Platforms

Downloads are listed for Bukkit servers, including CraftBukkit, Spigot, and Paper, as well as BungeeCord, Fabric, Sponge, and Velocity. The listed device and deployment platforms are API, Linux, self-hosted, and web. The WebUI is self-hosted and has the separate database and setup requirements described above.

Who it's for

BanManager is suited to Minecraft server owners and staff teams that need a shared process for punishments, reports, warnings, and player history. Its multi-server dashboard and remote database options are relevant to networks, while local H2 storage offers a simpler storage option when the WebUI and shared remote data are not needed.

It is also a fit for server operators who want moderation data accessible to other plugins through a developer API. Teams choosing the WebUI should be prepared to configure a supported MySQL or MariaDB database and secure the installer before exposing it publicly.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source, with support for several server platforms.
• Pros: Combines punishments, chat moderation, reports, escalating warnings, and staff notes.
• Pros: The self-hosted WebUI provides appeals, reports, role-based permissions, and a dashboard for one or more servers.
• Cons: The WebUI requires BanManager-WebEnhancer and MySQL 5+ or MariaDB 10+; it cannot use the default H2 database.
• Cons: Operators exposing the WebUI setup page to the internet need to configure a setup token and encryption key.
• Cons: Increasing cross-server check frequency can raise database use.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, start with the Minecraft Moderation Plugins list. Other options include LibertyBans, ModGUI, and Staff+. Server teams focused on anti-cheat tools can also consider Nimbus AntiCheat or ReducedX-Anti Cheat; for chat-focused moderation, see ChatSentinel. Other listed alternatives include PunishBAN and PunishmentsSystem.

Verdict

BanManager offers a broad moderation toolkit for Minecraft servers, pairing conventional punishments with reports, configurable warning actions, staff notes, and chat controls. Its free, open-source model and support for multiple server platforms make it a practical option to consider for teams that want those functions in one suite.

The main planning issue is the boundary between the plugins and the WebUI. Local H2 storage is supported, but the WebUI requires BanManager-WebEnhancer and a MySQL or MariaDB database, and its installer needs deliberate security configuration before internet exposure. Teams comfortable managing that infrastructure can use the WebUI's reporting, appeals, permissions, and multi-server dashboard; those wanting a simpler deployment can rely on the server plugins without it.

The maker directs users to Discord, GitHub discussions, and the FAQ for help and feature requests, and welcomes open-source contributions.