Overview

Separate Paper and Velocity JARs share a database, configuration format, and migration system. Both editions cover bans, IP bans, mutes, warnings, punishment history, and staff rollback, making Staff+ a broad moderation toolkit rather than a narrow reporting add-on.

Punishment data can be stored in SQLite or MySQL-compatible MySQL and MariaDB. Configurable staff weights stop lower-ranking staff from overriding or removing punishments imposed by senior staff or console, a useful guardrail where authority is divided across a team.

Key features

Proxy enforcement

Velocity checks bans and IP bans before login reaches a backend server and filters muted players’ chat across connected servers. That cross-server reach is the reason to include the proxy edition; Paper-only installations do not get these proxy checks.

Paper staff utilities

Paper adds vanish, live inventory inspection, spectator follow, flight toggles, and gamemode shortcuts. These tools help moderators handle observation and routine server tasks without relying only on punishment commands. The Paper edition also supports Folia-safe regional scheduling and asynchronous teleports, which makes it suitable for Folia deployments as well as Paper and Purpur.

Migration and integrations

The importer covers Vanilla, Essentials and EssentialsX, LiteBans, AdvancedBan, MaxBans, BanManager, and BungeeAdminTools. That range can reduce friction when moving existing punishment data into Staff+. Discord webhook moderation logs provide an external record, and a Modrinth update notifier flags updates.

Privacy and build requirements

Both editions collect anonymous bStats usage metrics by default, though operators can disable them in the bStats configuration. Building the project requires Java 21 or higher and Gradle or its included wrapper. That build requirement matters to anyone compiling or modifying the MIT-licensed project, while operators installing the supplied JARs should distinguish it from the server-platform requirements.

Pricing

Staff+ is free: the Staff+ plan is free under the MIT License. It supports Paper, Purpur, and Folia 1.20–1.21+ and Velocity 3.3.0+. There are no cheaper paid tiers to compare; the practical trade-off is choosing the Paper tools, the Velocity enforcement, or both. The free plan’s stated platform versions are the compatibility boundary to consider before deployment.

Platforms

Staff+ is self-hosted. Its Paper-family JAR supports Paper, Purpur, and Folia, while a separate Velocity JAR supplies proxy enforcement. The editions can share a database, so operators can coordinate moderation across a network rather than treating each server as an island.

Who it's for

Staff+ best fits Minecraft network operators who want shared punishments, proxy-level ban checks, and a useful Paper staff toolkit, particularly teams migrating from one of its supported systems. It is less compelling for operators who need only a focused report-handling plugin or whose environment does not match its stated platform versions.

Pros and cons

Pros: Shared database and migration support help consolidate moderation across Paper and Velocity networks.
Pros: Hierarchy weights protect senior and console punishments from lower-ranking staff overrides.
Pros: Paper utilities and Folia-safe scheduling cover both staff workflows and Folia deployments.
Cons: Metrics are enabled by default, so privacy-conscious operators must opt out in configuration.
Cons: Building requires Java 21 or higher, which may constrain teams maintaining or modifying the project.
Cons: Proxy enforcement requires the Velocity edition; Paper alone cannot check punishments before backend login.

Alternatives

For other choices, browse Minecraft Moderation Plugins. LibertyBans is another free self-hosted or API option, with a Java 17 requirement and support for Minecraft server platforms. ModGUI is a free MIT-licensed self-hosted option for Paper 1.21.11 or newer.

Nimbus AntiCheat is a free self-hosted alternative centered on 43 checks, per-check punishments, player reports, staff inspection tools, and Discord webhook notifications, with Paper 1.21.8 support. ExtraBan is another free self-hosted option, for Paper or a fork 26.2+ and Java 25+.

Player Report is a free self-hosted Minecraft server plugin with native/tested major version 1.21. ReportsGUI is free for a Minecraft server plugin on native major version 1.17 and caps unhandled reports at 54. BanManager is a free option spanning API, Linux, self-hosted, and web platforms. PunishBAN is a free self-hosted alternative. For a broader software category, see HR Software.

Verdict

Choose Staff+ if you run a Paper-family and Velocity network and want shared punishments, migration tools, and practical staff utilities in a free MIT-licensed plugin. Look elsewhere if its platform-version boundaries do not fit, or if the default metrics and Java 21 build requirement are poor fits for your team.

	Employment Hero	Staff+
Free plan		Yes
Paid from		Free
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	self-hosted
Free plan	No	Yes
Employee records	Yes
Time-off management	Yes
Employee onboarding	Yes
Performance management	Yes
Time tracking	Yes
Mobile apps	Yes
Chat filters		Yes
Proxy support		Yes
Audit logs		Yes

Employment Hero vs Staff+

Employment Hero

Staff+