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Key takeaways
5- Vault is a bridge API, so install a compatible economy provider to handle money.
- EssentialsX Economy adds common balance and payment features within the EssentialsX suite.
- XConomy offers SQLite by default, MySQL, and synchronization options, but check current version support.
- TheNewEconomy supports multiple currency types and requires MySQL or MariaDB storage.
- iConomyUnlocked supports H2 or MySQL and requires Vault or VaultUnlocked.
If you are adding money to a Paper server, this guide explains what Vault does and compares four economy providers. You will be able to shortlist a provider based on the features you need, such as simple balances, cross-server sync or multiple currencies.
Understand the difference between Vault and an economy
Vault is an API bridge. It lets plugins connect to permissions, chat and economy providers without depending directly on each provider. Vault does not create balances or handle money by itself, so you need an economy plugin as well.
Vault on SpigotMC is free. Its listing shows version 1.7.3, last updated in 2020, with a native version of 1.14 and tested versions from 1.13 to 1.17. That listing is useful context when checking an older setup, but check each plugin's current requirements before installing.
VaultUnlocked is a fork that adds multicurrency, UUID and BigDecimal support, Folia compatibility and improved compatibility with plugins such as Towny. Its Modrinth page lists Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Purpur and Spigot with recent 26.x releases. Check the page for its current version range. It remains a bridge, so you still need an economy implementation.
1. EssentialsX Economy
EssentialsX suits owners who already use EssentialsX and want common money commands in the same suite. Its economy features include balances, payments, economy administration, leaderboards, sign shops and command costs, with Vault support.
What to check
EssentialsX's config includes economy settings such as starting-balance, currency-symbol, max-money, min-money and command-costs. The documented starting balance is 0 and the currency symbol defaults to $, but defaults can change between versions. Review your installed version's config before changing values.
The EssentialsX GitHub page lists Minecraft versions from 1.8.8 through 1.21.11, as well as 26.1.2, 26.2 and 26.3. Vault is needed for its chat prefix, suffix and group support, and the project recommends LuckPerms for permissions. Check the current project page and your other plugins before updating.
2. XConomy
XConomy is a standalone economy option for servers that want player payments, configurable taxes, balance rankings, transaction history and non-player accounts such as faction banks or town treasuries. It supports Vault and PlaceholderAPI.
Storage and network use
XConomy uses SQLite by default and can use MySQL. Its listing describes cross-server synchronization through BungeeCord or Redis, while its GitHub repository also lists Velocity support. This makes it a candidate to investigate when balances need to follow players across a network.
The SpigotMC listing gives Minecraft support from 1.8 to 1.20 and was last updated in June 2024. It says Paper and Folia builds need 1.20 or later. For newer Minecraft versions, check the listing's version information before choosing a build. Xconomy_Reload is a fork and rewrite by a different author; its Modrinth page lists versions 1.20.x, 1.21.x and 26.1 to 26.2, with features including MySQL and Redis synchronization. Treat it as a separate project when evaluating support.
3. TheNewEconomy
TheNewEconomy (TNE) is aimed at servers that want more than one kind of currency. Its Hangar page describes virtual, item-based, mixed and experience currencies, GUI menus, money notes and transaction logging. It also describes cross-server synchronization through Velocity, Bungee or Redis.
Plan for its storage requirements
TNE works with Towny, Factions and plugins that support Vault. Its listing says it runs on Paper, Spigot and Purpur, requires Java 17 or later, and needs MySQL 8.0 or later or MariaDB 10.7.0 or later for storage. Include that database requirement in your planning before selecting it.
The Hangar version page lists release 0.1.4.0 for Paper 1.17 to 1.21.8. Its release notes say to use the Bukkit Core version on Paper below 1.21.4. Check the Hangar page for newer builds and the requirements for the version you plan to run.
4. iConomyUnlocked
iConomyUnlocked is an economy provider for plugins using Vault or VaultUnlocked. It supports H2 and MySQL storage, lists Folia compatibility, and includes migration from iConomy 5.26. Consider it when you want a provider with those storage options or need to investigate a migration path.
Its Modrinth listing gives a Minecraft range of 1.16.5 to 1.21.10 on Bukkit, Paper, Purpur and Spigot. It requires either VaultUnlocked or the original Vault. Compare that range against your server version and the requirements of every plugin that will use the economy.
Match the provider to your server
| Option | Could suit | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| EssentialsX Economy | Servers already using EssentialsX that want common money commands and sign shops. | Installed-version defaults and the version support for your server. |
| XConomy | Owners looking for standalone economy features and SQLite or MySQL, with network sync options. | The original listing tops out at 1.20; verify newer support or evaluate the separate fork. |
| TheNewEconomy | Servers interested in multiple currency types and cross-server sync. | Java 17 or later and a supported MySQL or MariaDB database. |
| iConomyUnlocked | Owners looking for H2 or MySQL and a Vault-based provider with listed Folia compatibility. | Its listed Minecraft range ends at 1.21.10 and it needs Vault or VaultUnlocked. |
Test the provider with your shop, jobs and other economy-dependent plugins before using it on a live server. Check the provider and bridge versions together, then verify the commands and integrations your players will use.
For example, CoreJobs, made by our team, has six configurable jobs with prestige and a farmpoints shop. Vault and an economy plugin are optional for paying money rewards; without them, it still awards XP and farmpoints.
If you are setting up EssentialsX beyond its economy, see our EssentialsX setup guide. For a player market, our auction house plugin comparison covers another common economy integration. If your server uses rentable shop space, read about survival server shops.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Vault for a Minecraft economy plugin?
Vault does not provide an economy. It lets other plugins connect to an economy provider, so install a compatible provider too. Check whether each plugin expects Vault or VaultUnlocked.
What is the difference between Vault and VaultUnlocked?
Both provide hooks for plugins to connect to economy, permissions and chat providers. VaultUnlocked is a fork that adds features including multicurrency, UUID and Folia support. You still need an economy implementation.
How do I set a starting balance in EssentialsX?
EssentialsX's config includes the `starting-balance` key, documented with a default of 0. Defaults may change between versions, so check the config generated by your installed version before editing it.
Which Minecraft economy plugin supports cross-server balances?
XConomy lists synchronization through BungeeCord or Redis, and its GitHub repository also lists Velocity. TheNewEconomy describes synchronization through Velocity, Bungee or Redis. Check the current build and requirements for your server network before choosing.
