Best Minecraft plugins for SMP

Essential Plugins for a Balanced SMP

Running a successful Survival Multiplayer (SMP) server requires a balance between player freedom and server stability. The following plugins are considered industry standards for maintaining a healthy community.

Core Management and Protection

• EssentialsX: The backbone of most servers, providing essential commands like /home, /warp, and /kit. It also includes basic economy and chat management features.
• CoreProtect: An indispensable tool for SMPs. It logs block changes and container interactions, allowing you to roll back griefing or theft to specific players or timeframes without needing a full world backup.
• LuckPerms: The gold standard for permission management. It allows you to create complex rank structures, assign specific command access, and manage staff permissions with ease.

Gameplay Enhancements

• GriefPrevention: Ideal for SMPs that want to allow player-owned land without complex town systems. Players use a golden shovel to claim land, protecting their builds from other players.
• Dynmap or Pl3xMap: These plugins generate a live web-based map of your world. They are highly popular among players for navigating the world and finding new locations to build.

Installing Plugins on Your Server

On AwakeNode

Our control panel simplifies plugin management significantly. Navigate to the Plugin Installer in your server dashboard. From here, you can search for and install popular plugins like EssentialsX or LuckPerms with a single click. The panel handles the download and placement of files automatically, ensuring your server is ready to go instantly.

On other hosts / manually

To install plugins manually, you must first ensure your server is running a software type that supports plugins, such as Paper or Spigot.

1. Download the .jar file for the plugin from a trusted source like SpigotMC or Modrinth.
2. Connect to your server via SFTP.
3. Navigate to the /plugins folder in your root directory.
4. Upload the .jar file.
5. Restart your server to load the plugin.

Note: If you encounter issues with plugin compatibility or performance, please open a ticket with our Support team. We can review your logs and advise on specific configurations.