Essential plugins for a new Minecraft SMP server
A short, practical starter set of plugins for a Paper or Purpur SMP: permissions, grief protection, homes and teleports, anti-cheat basics, crossplay and performance.
A new survival server doesn't need fifty plugins. Start with a few that solve real problems, add more when players ask. All of these run on Paper or Purpur; download them from their official pages (Modrinth, Hangar, SpigotMC or the project's site).
The core set #
| Plugin | What it does |
|---|---|
| LuckPerms | Ranks and permissions. Almost every other plugin uses it. See LuckPerms setup. |
| EssentialsX | Homes, warps, /spawn, /tpa, kits, nicknames and many basic commands. |
| CoreProtect | Logs every block change so you can see who griefed and roll it back. |
| GriefPrevention or WorldGuard | Land claims for players (GriefPrevention) or protected regions like spawn (WorldGuard, needs WorldEdit). |
| Vault | A bridge that lets economy, chat and permission plugins talk to each other. |
Nice to have #
- Geyser and Floodgate: let Bedrock players join (guide).
- spark: a profiler that shows what's causing lag (fix lag).
- A map plugin such as BlueMap or Dynmap: a live web map of your world (needs an extra port).
- DiscordSRV: links in-game chat with a Discord channel.
- Chunky: pre-generates the world so exploring doesn't lag the server.
How to install them #
- Download the plugin's
.jarfor your server version. - Stop the server, open Files and upload the jar into the
pluginsfolder. - Start the server and check the Console for errors.
- Edit the plugin's config in
plugins/PluginName/, then restart.
Full steps: add plugins and mods.
Tips #
- Add plugins one or two at a time so you know which one broke something.
- Only download from official sources; random re-uploads can contain malware.
- Each plugin uses some RAM. Check memory on the server page as you add more (RAM guide).
FAQ #
What plugins does every Minecraft server need? #
A good start is LuckPerms (permissions), EssentialsX (basic commands), CoreProtect (grief logs) and a protection plugin like GriefPrevention or WorldGuard.
Where should I download plugins? #
From official sources such as Modrinth, Hangar, SpigotMC or the plugin's own site.
Do plugins work on Fabric or Forge? #
No. Plugins need Paper or Purpur. Fabric and Forge use mods instead.
Do plugins cause lag? #
Some can. Add them a few at a time and use spark to find what's slow.
Still stuck? Use the live chat on the panel or ask in the ESN Systems Discord. Last updated October 31, 2026.