CoreProtect vs Prism, Logging Plugins Compared
Compare CoreProtect and Prism for Minecraft block logging and rollback. Covers database storage, lookup speed, rollback features, and performance impact.
Logging plugins record every block break, block place, container transaction, and entity kill on your server. When a griefer strikes, you need fast lookups and reliable rollbacks. CoreProtect and Prism are the two main choices. This coreprotect vs prism comparison explains how they differ and which one we recommend for most servers.
Background
CoreProtect has been the dominant logging plugin since LogBlock and HawkEye faded from active development. It is free, open-source, and receives regular updates. Prism (specifically Prism Refracted, the maintained fork) is also free and open-source but has a smaller user base and less frequent releases. Both record similar data, but their internals, command syntax, and performance profiles differ.
Feature comparison table
| Feature | CoreProtect | Prism (Refracted) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free / open-source | Free / open-source |
| Database support | SQLite, MySQL | MySQL, MariaDB |
| Block logging | Yes | Yes |
| Container logging | Yes | Yes |
| Chat logging | Yes | Yes |
| Command logging | Yes | Yes |
| Inspector tool (per-block lookup) | Yes (/co i) | Yes (/prism i) |
| Area rollback | Yes (radius, time, user filters) | Yes (radius, time, user filters) |
| Restore (undo rollback) | Yes (/co restore) | Yes (/prism restore) |
| API for developers | CoreProtect API (widely used) | Prism API |
| Auto-purge old data | Yes (configurable days) | Yes |
| SQLite support | Yes (default) | No (MySQL required) |
Setup and ease of use
CoreProtect works out of the box. Drop the jar in your plugins folder, start the server, and it begins logging with SQLite, zero configuration required. Prism requires a MySQL or MariaDB database before it can start, which adds a setup step. For small servers or quick test environments, CoreProtect's SQLite default is a significant convenience advantage. For our full setup walkthrough, see Minecraft CoreProtect Rollback Guide.
Command syntax
CoreProtect uses /co lookup, /co rollback, and /co restore with filter parameters like u:PlayerName t:1h r:10. Prism uses a similar parameter system: /prism lookup p:PlayerName t:1h r:10. Both are intuitive once you learn the shorthand. CoreProtect's syntax is more widely documented because of its larger user base, which means more tutorials and forum answers exist.
Performance
On busy servers, logging every block change generates a lot of database writes. CoreProtect batches writes efficiently using an async queue. Prism also batches writes but historically has been less optimized under heavy load. For servers with 100+ concurrent players placing and breaking thousands of blocks per minute, coreprotect vs prism performance favors CoreProtect. On smaller servers, both are fine.
Third-party integration
Many anti-grief plugins (Best Anti-Grief Plugins 2026 Compared) check for CoreProtect as a dependency. WorldGuard () does not depend on either, but staff workflows often combine region protection with CoreProtect lookups for investigating incidents. Prism integrations exist but are less common in the wider plugin ecosystem.
Database size management
Both plugins support automatic purging of old records. CoreProtect defaults to keeping 30 days of data. You can adjust this in config.yml. We recommend setting a purge window that matches your server's needs: 14 days for high-traffic servers, 30 to 90 days for smaller communities. Prism offers similar settings. In both cases, running MySQL with proper indexing keeps lookups fast even with millions of rows.
Verdict
CoreProtect wins for most servers. It is easier to set up, better documented, more widely supported by other plugins, and performs well under load. Prism Refracted is a valid alternative if you specifically prefer its command syntax or already have it running. The coreprotect vs prism comparison tilts heavily toward CoreProtect in 2026, but both are capable logging tools.
See these plugins in action: Astroworld MC, IP play.astroworldmc.com, Java + Bedrock.