Best GuardAC Alternatives in 2026
The top GuardAC alternatives are Intave, GrimAC and Windfall Anti-Cheat: 15 minecraft Anti-Cheat plugins our editors would look at instead of GuardAC, in our ranking order.
GuardAC: Free, open-source combat monitoring with AI aim analysis and cross-server reputation tools. Where it falls short: detection coverage focuses mainly on combat behavior.
Switching from GuardAC? For most minecraft anti-cheat plugins buyers the best GuardAC alternative is Intave, built for networks wanting ML and database-backed detection. On a budget, Matrix AntiCheat starts at $15/mo. Polar Anticheat offers the most licensed servers (5 servers).
Why People Look for a GuardAC Alternative
- Detection coverage focuses mainly on combat behavior
- Free use is limited to personal, non-commercial servers
- Cloud API-powered analysis may not suit fully offline deployments
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallIntave9.2
Networks wanting ML and database-backed detection
Visit Intave - Lowest priceMatrix AntiCheat8.8
Paid plans from $15/mo
Visit Matrix AntiCheat - Best free optionIntave9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Intave - Most licensed serversPolar Anticheat8.5
5 servers
Visit Polar Anticheat
All 15 GuardAC 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.
Sponsored alternatives to GuardAC Sponsored alternative
-
Best forNetworks wanting ML and database-backed detection
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.0
A wide-coverage anti-cheat plugin with free core detection and usage-based paid tiers.
- Replay analysis
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Intave -
Best forBroad-version networks and open-source deployments
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.0
A broad-version, self-hosted anticheat with extensive checks and configurable enforcement.
- Replay analysis
9.1/10★★★★★Visit GrimAC -
Best forFree, wide-version server protection
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.0
Free, wide-version protection with 52 checks and configurable enforcement.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Windfall -
Best forPaid networks needing maximum check breadth
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.0
A broad, configurable anti-cheat plugin for paid Minecraft networks.
8.8/10★★★★☆Try Matrix AntiCheat -
Best forPaid servers wanting many configurable checks
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.0
A configurable paid anti-cheat with 150+ checks and broad Paper-fork coverage.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forCloud protection for larger networks
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.0
A cloud anti-cheat plugin with broad version support and machine-learning detections.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Polar -
Best forServers needing mitigation controls
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.0
A configurable, packet-aware choice for servers targeting combat and movement cheats.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree servers wanting broad modern detection
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 8.0
Broad movement, combat, packet, and behavioral detection for free Minecraft servers.
- Replay analysis
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forCombat-focused servers wanting cloud monitoring
- Better than GuardAC:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 8.0
AI combat detection with cloud monitoring, review tools, and configurable punishments.
- Replay analysis
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Shard -
Best forFree checks on Spigot for versions 1.13.2–26.1.2
A Spigot plugin with broad combat, movement and packet checks plus configurable penalties.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Zeta -
Best forPaper/Folia servers needing broad free checks
A configurable, self-hosted anti-cheat for Paper and Folia server administrators.
- Replay analysis
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit BSAntiCheat -
Best forFolia-focused open-source experimentation
A Folia-focused, open-source anti-cheat with broad server-side detection coverage.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit TruthfulAC -
Best forFree open-source Paper 1.21 servers
Free, open-source protection for Paper and Spigot servers running Minecraft 1.21.x.
- Replay analysis
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Modrinth -
Best forFree mixed Java-Bedrock servers
A configurable free anti-cheat for Spigot and Paper servers supporting Java and Bedrock players.
- Replay analysis
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Themis -
Best forFree Paper servers needing broad enforcement
A free, configurable anti-cheat for Paper servers that need broad enforcement controls.
- Replay analysis
7.2/10★★★★☆Try Nimbus AntiCheat
GuardAC Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to GuardAC?
Intave: #1 in our Minecraft Anti-Cheat Plugins ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A wide-coverage anti-cheat plugin with free core detection and usage-based paid tiers.
Is there a free alternative to GuardAC?
Yes. Intave, GrimAC, Windfall Anti-Cheat, AetherisAntiCheat and Shard have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for GuardAC alternatives?
Detection coverage focuses mainly on combat behavior; Free use is limited to personal, non-commercial servers; Cloud API-powered analysis may not suit fully offline deployments.
Which GuardAC alternative has the most licensed servers?
Polar Anticheat, with 5 servers.
How do I switch from GuardAC?
Back up your world, configs and mods from GuardAC'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 GuardAC after a test session.
How to Switch from GuardAC
- Back up your world, configs and mods from GuardAC'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 GuardAC after a test session.
GuardAC vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Server platforms | Minecraft versions | Detection coverage | Enforcement actions | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | GuardAC | Yes | Paper, Spigot, Purpur, Folia | 1.16 and newer | KillAura, aim assist, abnormal combat crosshair movement, sharp player movement-style changes | alerts, logs, kicks, bans, broadcasts, console commands, optional combat suppression | 8.0 | |
| 1 | Intave | Yes | Spigot | 1.8 through 26.3 | Reach, hitbox, fastbreak, click automation, click-speed anomalies, combat automation, interaction cheats, inventory-related cheats, movement cheats, placement automation, protocol inconsistencies, game-speed changes | Notifications, movement setbacks/corrections, kick, temporary ban, permanent ban, custom proxy commands, inventory closing, item-use reset, packet stopping or delay | 9.2 | |
| 2 | GrimAC | Yes | Free | Bukkit/Spigot/Paper and most forks; Folia; Fabric | 1.8–26.1 | Movement, reach, NoFall, timer, AntiKnockback, NoSlow, Scaffold/block placement, bad packets, crashes | In-game alerts, Discord webhooks, kicks, and custom commands | 9.1 |
| 3 | Windfall Anti-Cheat | Yes | Free | Spigot, Paper, Folia, Purpur | 1.7–26.2+ | movement, combat, packet, inventory | warn, kick, ban | 9.0 |
| 4 | Matrix AntiCheat | No | $15/mo | Spigot, Paper, Purpur, Folia | 1.8.8 (v1_8_R3) LTS; 1.12.2 (v1_12_R1) LTS; 1.13.x deprecated; 1.14.x deprecated; 1.15.x deprecated; 1.16.x; 1.17.x; 1.18.x; 1.19.x; 1.20.x; 1.21.x | Combat: KillAura/Aimbot/AimAssist, Hitbox/Reach, AutoClicker, Criticals, Anti Knockback, Auto Tap/Super Knockback, Auto Block; Movement: Speed/Fly, LongJump/HighJump/Step/Jetpack, Jesus/WaterWalk, BoatFly/BoatSpeed/EntitySpeed/EntityFly, ElytraFly/ElytraBoost, Riptide Boost, Anti Levitation, Phase; Player: NoFall, Timer; Delay: Fast Bow, Fast Eat/Use, Fast Place, Fast Break, Fast Inventory; World: Scaffold, Tower; Other: Baritone, Freecam | Cancel attacks; cancel movement; notify administrators; kick players; generate NPC checks; execute configurable commands | 8.8 |
| 5 | Vulcan Anti-Cheat | No | $19.99 one-time | Spigot, Paper, Pufferfish, Purpur, forks of Paper | 1.8 through 1.21.11 | Combat, Movement, Player; Aim, Auto Block, Auto Clicker, Criticals, Fast Bow, Hitbox, Kill Aura, Reach, Velocity | Execute configured commands | 8.6 |
| 6 | Polar Anticheat | No | €15/mo | Paper, Purpur, Spigot, Folia, Imanity Spigot v3.x.x | Client 1.7.10 through 26.1.x; server 1.8.8, 1.16.5, 1.18.x, 1.19.x, 1.20.x, 1.21.x, and 26.1.x | Auto Clicker, Heuristics, Invalid Protocol, Movement, Tick Speed, Inventory, World Interaction, Latency Abuse | Movement and combat mitigations, velocity adjustment, hit cancellation, setbacks, damage reduction, range reduction, kicks, bans | 8.5 |
| 7 | FairPlay AntiCheat | Bukkit, Spigot, Paper, Purpur, Folia | 1.8–1.21+ | Aimbot, AutoClicker, Scaffold, Hitbox, Reach, Occlusion, FastBreak, Inventory, KillAura, AutoTotem, Elytra, BadPackets, Criticals, Macros, Timer, Invalid Place | Cancel hits, reduce damage, prevent block placement, notify staff, run commands, apply victim compensation | 8.4 | ||
| 8 | AetherisAntiCheat | Yes | Free | Spigot, Paper | 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.20.6, 1.21; also stated as 1.8–1.21+ | Fly, speed, scaffold, NoFall, Jesus/WaterWalk, step, spider, KillAura, reach, AimAssist, hitbox, AutoClicker, velocity, FastBow, timer, BadPackets, blink, disabler patterns | Alerts, violation viewing, configurable kick thresholds, configurable ban thresholds, timestamped violation logs | 8.2 |
| 9 | Shard | Yes | Paper, Folia | killaura, aim assist, triggerbot | 8.1 | |||
| 10 | Zeta | Yes | Free | Spigot | 1.13.2–26.1.2; tested major versions listed: 1.13–1.21 and 26.1 | AutoClicker, AutoTotem, BadPackets, BadPlace, Client-Brand, Criticals, FastBreak, Fly, Hitbox, InventoryWalk, Jesus, Jump, KillAura, Motion, NoClip, NoFall, NoSlow, Pattern, Reach, Scaffold, Speed, Spider, Spoofer, Strafe, Timer, Velocity | Configurable penalties; delayed punishments | 7.9 |
| 11 | BSAntiCheat | Free | Paper, Folia | Paper 1.21.10+; built against the 1.21.10 API | Movement, combat, world interaction, packet-level, vehicle, XRay, inventory | Configurable console commands, optional setback, alerts and logging | 7.8 | |
| 12 | TruthfulAC | Yes | Free | Folia | 26.1 latest; Folia compatibility beta | Movement; combat; world and blocks; packets; Bedrock-player behavior | 7.7 | |
| 13 | ReducedX-Anti Cheat | Yes | Free | Paper, Spigot | 1.21.x | KillAura, reach, autoclicker, anti-knockback, hitbox exploits, speed, fly, NoFall, Jesus, Step, Scaffold, X-Ray, FastPlace, PacketFlood, JoinFlood, ReconnectSpam | Warn, Kick, TempMute, TempBan, PermBan, IP Ban | 7.4 |
| 14 | Themis Anti Cheat | Yes | Free | Spigot, Paper | 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.20.6, 1.21; stated supported range 1.17.0–1.21.10 | BH op Speed, Blink, Boat Fly, Boat Speed, Climb/Spider, Elytra Fly, Fly, Jetpack, Reach, KillAura with increased reach, NoFall, OnGround Speed, Step, Timer, Vanilla Speed, WaterWalk/Jesus, illegal packets, spoofed packets, horizontal movement, vertical movement | Block hacks, drag players back, run configurable commands, send detection notifications, use silent mode | 7.3 |
| 15 | Nimbus AntiCheat | Yes | Free | Paper (or compatible fork) | 1.21; built and tested against Paper 1.21.8; other 1.21.x builds may work but are untested | Movement: Speed, Prediction, BunnyHop, Flight, MotionY, HighJump, Step, NoFall, NoSlow, NoWeb, Phase, Jesus, Spider, FastClimb, InventoryMove, Velocity; Combat: KillAura, KillAuraNPC, Reach, AutoClicker, Criticals, HitThroughWalls, InvalidAttack, ClientBrand; World: Scaffold, Tower, Nuker, FastPlace, AirPlace, GhostPlace, BlockReach, PlaceReach, ThroughWallBreak; Packet: Timer, BadPackets, GroundSpoof; Inventory and actions: AutoArmor, ChestStealer, AutoTotem, AutoPotion, AutoFish, FastBow, FastEat | Alerts, violation logging, configurable commands, kick, temporary ban, permanent ban, freeze, setback, illegal-action cancellation, Discord notifications | 7.2 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update