CheckHacks

Overview

CheckHacks is a free Minecraft server plugin for administrators investigating client-side mods and hack clients. It suits operators who want browser-based review and checks that players do not need to install; it is less suited as a server’s only defense because client patches can block its detection method.

Key features

The plugin briefly places signs with special translation keys, then checks how a player’s client responds. That gives administrators a way to probe for client-side modifications without distributing a player-side mod, but the response-based approach has a clear weakness: the maker says client developers can patch around it, temporarily stopping detection for affected clients.

METEOR, TRANSLATE and KEYBIND modes can be selected per mod, and administrators can add custom detections in checkhacks.yml. DoubleCheck repeats scans returning DETECTED or PROTECTED to help reduce false positives. This extra pass is useful when reviewing an alert, though it does not remove the possibility that a result is wrong.

CheckHacks can run checks after Grim, Vulcan, Spartan or Matrix flags a player, making it a follow-up tool for servers already using one of those anticheats rather than a substitute for their flagging. Custom commands and detection alerts support server-specific responses. Separate Discord webhooks for hack checks and language checks, including a Components V2 option, provide notification choices.

The web editor runs on the game server and lets administrators inspect scan history, look up players and start checks in a browser. Access uses one-time tokens generated with /cheditor, not a shared password. Scan records go to a built-in SQLite database, so preserving history does not require separate database setup.

Pricing

CheckHacks is always free at no cost, with optional donations. There is no free trial because the plugin itself is free. The project is MIT-licensed. This removes a subscription cost for server operators, though it does not change the maintenance burden of running a compatible self-hosted server.

Platforms

CheckHacks is self-hosted and web-based: the plugin runs on a Minecraft server, with the editor accessed through a browser. Supported server platforms include Paper, Spigot and Folia, and the compatibility listing also names Bukkit and Purpur. It supports Minecraft 1.21 and newer. This is a narrow fit for Minecraft server administration, not a general-purpose client anticheat.

Who it's for

Choose CheckHacks if you administer a compatible server and want targeted client checks, saved scan history and browser-based staff review without requiring players to install a mod. Its custom detections and integrations are particularly relevant when you want checks to follow flags from an existing anticheat. Look elsewhere if you need detection that cannot be bypassed by clients patched against this method, or if your server is outside its supported version range.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Players need no client-side install, lowering friction for server-wide checks.
• Pros: Per-mod detection modes, custom detections and repeat scans offer administrators ways to tailor and review checks.
• Pros: Built-in SQLite history and one-time-token browser access support staff review without separate database setup or a shared editor password.
• Cons: Client patches can temporarily block detection, limiting its reliability as a standalone defense.
• Cons: It requires a compatible self-hosted Minecraft server and supports only Minecraft 1.21+.

Alternatives

For other options, browse Minecraft Anti-Cheat Plugins. Consider MLSAC if you want a freemium option with web and Windows platforms and a free Beginner plan that includes its Mini model. Shard may suit users who prioritize software it describes as fully open source, with self-hosting and inspection or contribution on GitHub; its free plan includes five credits per month.

GuardAC is another freemium option with a free plan and trial, offered through API and web platforms. Intave is worth comparing if you want self-hosted movement and combat cheat detection; its free plan excludes combat automation and build automation detection, as well as priority support. GK AntiCheat is a free self-hosted plugin alternative.

Nimbus AntiCheat is a free self-hosted choice if its 43 checks, Paper 1.21.8 support, per-check punishments, player reports, staff inspection tools and Discord notifications suit your server. NoCheatPlus is a free self-hosted Minecraft Bukkit/Spigot plugin under GPL-3.0. GGIntegrity is another free option, with 28+ checks and native support for major version 1.20.

Verdict

CheckHacks is a sound fit for Minecraft 1.21+ server administrators who want free, server-side client checks with custom detections and a browser editor, especially as a follow-up to an integrated anticheat. Its main reason to choose it is that players need no client install; its main reason to look elsewhere is that client patches can shut down the detection method. Treat it as a focused investigation tool, not your sole line of defense.