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Key takeaways
5- Check each plugin’s Minecraft and server software support against your exact setup.
- LifeStealZ lists SQLite and MySQL storage; Simple LifeSteal is marked alpha and lists Paper 26.2 only.
- Lifesteal Ultimate lists support through Minecraft 1.21.1; lifestealXX lists 1.21 through 1.21.10.
- Check required Java and dependencies, including Java 21 and PlaceholderAPI for lifestealXX.
- Test heart loss, withdrawal, revival and zero-heart consequences on a copy before launch.
Planning a lifesteal SMP? This comparison covers five plugins and the differences that matter when choosing one: server version, software support, heart and revive features, licence, and dependencies. You will have a shortlist and a set of checks to run on a test copy before opening.
Compare support and features before choosing
Version support varies widely. LifeStealZ lists Minecraft 1.19 through 1.21.11 and several 26.x versions, while Simple LifeSteal lists Paper 26.2 only. Lifesteal Ultimate lists versions through 1.21.1, and lifestealXX lists 1.21 through 1.21.10. zLifesteal Core lists 1.17 to 1.21.x on its BuiltByBit page. Check the live listing against your exact server version before installing.
| Plugin | Listed server support | Notable features | Licence or status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LifeStealZ | Paper, Purpur and Spigot; 1.19 to 1.21.11 and listed 26.x versions | SQLite or MySQL, revive crystals, custom hearts and recipes | GPL-3.0-only |
| Lifesteal Ultimate | Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Purpur and Spigot; 1.8.9 to 1.21.1 | Withdrawable hearts, revive and admin commands | MIT |
| Simple LifeSteal | Paper 26.2 only | Revive book, withdrawable hearts and in-game config GUI | All Rights Reserved; alpha |
| lifestealXX | Paper, Purpur and Spigot; 1.21 to 1.21.10 | Craftable hearts, Revive Beacons and PlaceholderAPI | MIT |
| zLifesteal Core | Spigot or Paper; 1.17 to 1.21.x | Custom recipes, revive system, beacon shop and no required dependencies | Paid premium plugin |
All five cover heart theft, but their surrounding systems and version ranges differ. The entries below explain where each may fit and what to verify on your own server.
1. LifeStealZ
LifeStealZ on Modrinth is a free, GPL-3.0-only option for Paper, Purpur and Spigot. Its listing includes Minecraft 1.19 through 1.21.11 and versions 26.1 through 26.2. It supports SQLite and MySQL storage, custom heart items and recipes, revive crystals, PlaceholderAPI, WorldGuard flags and 12 languages. It is server-side, so players do not need a client mod.
The LifeStealZ documentationSource site covers configuration, custom items, messages, data migration and commands. The project’s README says to put the jar in the plugins folder and restart, and recommends Paper or Purpur. The config defaults read from the repository set 10 starting hearts, 20 maximum hearts and one heart per kill. Those values can change, so check the current config before relying on them.
2. Lifesteal Ultimate
Lifesteal Ultimate on Modrinth is MIT-licensed and lists support for Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Purpur and Spigot, across Java Edition 1.8.9 to 1.21.1. Players can use /withdraw <amount> to turn hearts into tradable items. Eliminated players go to spectator mode or are banned, and admins can use /lifesteal revive <player>, /lifesteal give and /lifesteal reload.
The listed versions stop at 1.21.1. If you run a newer Minecraft version, test it on a copy first and confirm the plugin behaves as expected before putting it on a live SMP.
3. Simple LifeSteal
Simple LifeSteal on Modrinth is a Paper-only option listed for 26.2. It has withdrawable, tradable hearts, a revive book, MiniMessage support and an in-game configuration GUI at /ls config. Its page says changes take effect without a restart.
The project is marked alpha, and its page says bugs are expected while balancing continues. Its licence is All Rights Reserved. Treat it as an early-stage choice: test the features you need on a separate server and make sure the current release matches your exact version.
4. lifestealXX
lifestealXX on Modrinth lists Paper, Purpur and Spigot support for Minecraft 1.21 through 1.21.10. Its features include heart theft, craftable hearts, Revive Beacons, /withdraw, /revive, hot reload and PlaceholderAPI. The page lists Java 21 and PlaceholderAPI as requirements, and an MIT licence.
The listing’s last update is 12 November 2025. Check the project page and requirements before choosing it, especially if your server has moved beyond the listed versions.
5. zLifesteal Core
zLifesteal Core is a paid premium plugin made by our team, zArrowTan. Its BuiltByBit listing says it supports Spigot or Paper from Minecraft 1.17 to 1.21.x, recommends Paper, and requires Java 17 or higher. No dependency is required; PlaceholderAPI is optional. The store lists version 2.7.0 and has no free test server.
On death, a player loses hearts and the killer can right-click the dropped heart item to gain one. The plugin also includes a revive system, custom hearts and crafting recipes, a beacon shop, and PlaceholderAPI support. Golden Hearts can drop on last-life kills and grant two hearts; optional fire-resistant hearts survive lava. Same-IP protection is intended to prevent heart farming.
The listing describes spectator exile or a temporary ban at zero hearts, with configuration for the consequence, starting and maximum hearts, hearts lost per death, revive settings and the shop GUI. Since version 2.4.0, custom heart recipes can run commands as events, such as granting potion effects, crate keys or money.
The listing includes a Hindi setup tutorial for this plugin. It may help if you are comfortable following instructions in Hindi.
Check the rules and recovery plan on a test copy
Before opening a lifesteal SMP, decide what zero hearts means for your community. The plugins here list different elimination outcomes, including spectator mode, bans or configurable consequences. Tell players what happens before they join, then test the complete death, heart-drop and revive flow with a few accounts.
- Match the plugin’s listed Minecraft version and server software to your own setup.
- Set starting, minimum and maximum hearts, and decide whether natural deaths also cost hearts where the plugin supports those settings.
- Test how players earn, withdraw, craft and revive hearts, including what happens after elimination.
- Check requirements such as Java 21 or PlaceholderAPI, and confirm whether the plugin’s licence and development status fit your needs.
- Test protections against heart farming, including the same-IP setting where available.
If you are building the wider server, our lifesteal setup checklist covers launch considerations, and our guides to Paper, Purpur and Folia and updating Paper can help with software and version decisions.
Choose by fit, then verify your exact version
For storage choices and a broad set of heart and revive features, start by evaluating LifeStealZ. If Folia support or a wider older-version range matters, check Lifesteal Ultimate’s stated limits. Simple LifeSteal is an alpha Paper 26.2 option, while lifestealXX has a narrower listed version range and specific Java and PlaceholderAPI requirements. zLifesteal Core is another option for servers in its listed range that want custom heart recipes and a beacon shop.
Whichever you shortlist, treat the project page as the source of truth for current support. Test on a copy, check the elimination rules and restore plan, then decide whether it is ready for your players.
Frequently asked questions
Which lifesteal plugin supports Paper 1.21?
The research listings show LifeStealZ for Paper across 1.21 versions, Lifesteal Ultimate through 1.21.1, lifestealXX from 1.21 to 1.21.10, and zLifesteal Core from 1.17 to 1.21.x. Check the current listing for your exact server version before installing.
Are there free lifesteal plugins for Minecraft?
LifeStealZ, Lifesteal Ultimate, Simple LifeSteal and lifestealXX are listed as free. Simple LifeSteal is marked alpha, and each project has its own version and software requirements.
Which lifesteal plugins let players withdraw hearts or revive?
Lifesteal Ultimate lists a withdraw command and admin revive command. LifeStealZ has heart and revive-crystal features, Simple LifeSteal has withdrawable hearts and a revive book, lifestealXX has withdraw and revive commands, and zLifesteal Core includes a revive system.
How do I stop players farming hearts with alternate accounts?
zLifesteal Core lists same-IP protection intended to prevent heart farming. Test that setting with your server’s rules on a copy, and review each plugin’s current configuration before launch.
What happens when a player reaches zero hearts?
The listed plugins describe different elimination options, including spectator mode and bans; zLifesteal Core also lists configurable consequences. Check the exact plugin settings, then tell players what to expect before the SMP opens.
