Best GroupManager Alternatives in 2026
The top GroupManager alternatives are LuckPerms, BungeePerms and FatsanPerms: 11 minecraft permissions plugins our editors would look at instead of GroupManager, in our ranking order.
GroupManager: A broad, free permissions toolkit for established Bukkit and Spigot servers. Where it falls short: verified platform coverage centers on bukkit and spigot.
Switching from GroupManager? For most minecraft permissions plugins buyers the best GroupManager alternative is LuckPerms, built for large, multi-platform server networks.
Why People Look for a GroupManager Alternative
- Verified platform coverage centers on Bukkit and Spigot
- Configuration spans many permission, storage, and group-management options
- The published release is v3.2 for Minecraft 1.8 to 1.20+
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallLuckPerms9.4
Large, multi-platform server networks
Visit LuckPerms - Best free optionLuckPerms9.4
Has a free plan
Visit LuckPerms
All 11 GroupManager Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forLarge, multi-platform server networks
- Better than GroupManager:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.7
A free, highly configurable permissions system for complex Minecraft server networks.
- Web editor
- Network support
- Temporary permissions
9.4/10★★★★★Visit LuckPerms -
Best forMulti-server BungeeCord or Velocity networks
- Better than GroupManager:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.7
A centralized, self-hosted permissions layer for multi-server Minecraft networks.
- Network support
- Temporary permissions
- Group inheritance
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit BungeePerms -
Best forFeature-rich Paper or Folia servers
A capable free permissions plugin for Paper and Folia servers needing detailed control.
- Temporary permissions
- Group inheritance
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit FatsanPerms -
Best forPaper servers needing auditing and recovery
A free, open-source Paper permissions plugin with auditing, backups, and repair tools.
- Temporary permissions
- Group inheritance
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit ThunderPerms -
Best forPaper servers needing role management
A free, open-source role manager for Paper servers that need inheritance and temporary roles.
- Temporary permissions
- Group inheritance
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit ServerRoles -
Best forNukkit servers
A free, flexible permissions layer for Nukkit servers and networks.
- Network support
- Group inheritance
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Nukkit Coders -
Best forFree Spigot servers needing standard permissions
A free Spigot plugin for standard permissions, inheritance, formatting, and Vault support.
- Temporary permissions
- Group inheritance
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit PermissionCore -
Best forMixed Java and Bedrock servers
A focused, free plugin for managing permissions across Java and Bedrock players.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit EditionPerms -
Best forServers prioritizing web and in-game management
A focused permissions plugin with both web and in-game administration.
- Web editor
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit MyPermissions -
Best forSimple free Paper or Folia setups
A free, open-source choice for straightforward, YAML-based server permissions.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forBasic cross-server permission management
A focused open-source choice for basic permissions across connected Minecraft servers.
- Network support
- Group inheritance
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit MultiPerms
GroupManager Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to GroupManager?
LuckPerms: #1 in our Minecraft Permissions Plugins ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, highly configurable permissions system for complex Minecraft server networks.
Is there a free alternative to GroupManager?
Yes. LuckPerms, BungeePerms, FatsanPerms, ThunderPerms and ServerRoles have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 11 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for GroupManager alternatives?
Verified platform coverage centers on Bukkit and Spigot; Configuration spans many permission, storage, and group-management options; The published release is v3.2 for Minecraft 1.8 to 1.20+.
How do I switch from GroupManager?
Back up your world, configs and mods from GroupManager's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP. Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one). Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load. Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel GroupManager after a test session.
How to Switch from GroupManager
- Back up your world, configs and mods from GroupManager's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP.
- Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one).
- Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load.
- Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel GroupManager after a test session.
GroupManager vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Group inheritance | Storage backends | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | GroupManager | Yes | Free | Yes | YAML, H2, MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, MariaDB | Bukkit, Spigot | 8.7 |
| 1 | LuckPerms | Yes | Free | Yes | mysql, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, H2, JSON, YAML, HOCON, MongoDB | Bukkit/Spigot, BungeeCord, Fabric, Forge, Nukkit, Sponge, Velocity, NeoForge, Hytale | 9.4 |
| 2 | BungeePerms | Free | Yes | YAML, MySQL | BungeeCord, Waterfall, Velocity, Spigot, Paper | 8.9 | |
| 3 | FatsanPerms | Yes | Free | Yes | YAML files | Paper 1.21.11; Folia 1.21.11 | 8.6 |
| 4 | ThunderPerms | Yes | Free | Yes | YAML, SQLite, MySQL, MariaDB | Paper | 8.5 |
| 5 | ServerRoles | Yes | Free | Yes | YAML, SQLite, MySQL | Paper, Purpur 1.21.11 | 8.4 |
| 6 | Multipass | Yes | Free | Yes | YAML, MySQL, SQLite | Nukkit | 8.3 |
| 7 | PermissionCore | Yes | Free | Yes | YAML | Spigot | 7.9 |
| 8 | EditionPerms | Yes | Free | Folia, Paper, Purpur, Spigot | 7.8 | ||
| 9 | MyPermissions | Free | Bukkit, Spigot, Paper | 7.6 | |||
| 10 | PermissionManager | Yes | Free | No | YAML files | Paper, Folia | 7.4 |
| 11 | MultiPerms | Free | Yes | BungeeCord, Spigot, Velocity | 7.1 |
Head-to-Head
- GroupManager vs LuckPerms
- GroupManager vs BungeePerms
- GroupManager vs FatsanPerms
- GroupManager vs ThunderPerms
- GroupManager vs ServerRoles
- GroupManager vs Multipass
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update