All addons are safe to use because addons can do only as much as ZOS allows them through the API. If ZOS finds any addon 'unsafe' (giving unfair advantage etc), they just modify the API to remove unwanted functionality.

Addons like HarvestMapData and TamrielTradeCenter could be considered gray area because they come with their own clients (.exe file for TTC, .bat script for HarvestMap) that communicate with external servers to sync sales/pin location data but it seems like ZOS doesn't mind that, otherwise they would kill those addons long time ago.

Any addon that only has lua code, and uses API elements to render while the game is running is “safe”. If the addon isn’t updated as the game client changes it can throw UI errors while playing that can crash your game. This is uncommon, except for the weeks following a big patch with lots of UI changes. (And sometimes after a smaller patch where they don’t document an API change then say “whoops” after outcry over broken addons).

An addon that contains separate executables, or stores data outside of the game-created directories, has potential to be unsafe. Note - I say “potential” and not that these are inherently unsafe.

From your list, most are the first type I described. Perfectly safe though may be problematic after some patches, as long as you are diligent about keeping them updated.

Harvest Map is the only one you listed that exchanges data outside of the game environment. It uses a batch file to exchange data stored on a public server and overwrite your addon data file. It carries some risk, but I feel comfortable using it anyway. Why? Because it exchanges data only on demand and not passively, you have to take the step of launching the batch file. And because I’ve read the code and I’m comfortable(ish) with the destination being connected with and the type of data contained in the files.

Thanks for all your answers! I meant "safe" for being banned, yes, I didn't considered the other options and it's very useful to know about it. Then I'll be using those except for the Harvest Map, unless I really need it, and I'll be aware of updating them when needed.
Thanks again for your advice

im using 3rd, 4th, 9th and 10th from your list since years without issues, and have friends running almost other three or four

harvest map batch is used if you want to share your data or get data from outside, its totally optional and cannot give problem... it just send its saved variables away or overwrite it, it does not interact directly with the game in any way.

There's still this legend that an addon can get you banned... there's no direct evidence about it nor anyone can point a specific addon.
A case in which an addon did really trigger the anticheat system was addressed some time ago and acknowledged as a false positive (i.e. zos *apologized* about it, restored and compensated affected accounts) probably added to the myth.
Install all the addons you find useful and dont worry too much about being banned...

zaria wrote: »

FenixEscarlata wrote: »

Thanks for all your answers! I meant "safe" for being banned, yes, I didn't considered the other options and it's very useful to know about it. Then I'll be using those except for the Harvest Map, unless I really need it, and I'll be aware of updating them when needed.
Thanks again for your advice

Safe from getting banned is not an problem for any known addon you can download with minion.
As other say if they contain code ZoS don't like they changes it like changes to the auto setting green stars, or that addon who warned you about sneaking enemies trying to snipe you.

Now an addon who is private as in only used in a guild I would be aseptically to especially in PvP.

Even private addons can only use data that Zeni makes available in the API. It isn’t possible to use addons to do anything nefarious. Even the old Miat’s was using open API elements that the devs knowingly made available. When they found the negative impact, Zeni tweaked the API to stop providing those pre-combat messages and other data. That’s how they control and limit what addons can do. Please don’t vilify addons or players like this.

I suspect you’re talking about client-side cheats and exploits to modify gameplay. Those programs are still very real and used in both pvp and pve. They aren’t addons though, they are separately executable programs to modify the game file, and will absolutely get you banned if caught using one.

If you stick to getting addons from either ESOUI or Minion you're safe. Everything that goes on there is vetted to make sure it is what it says it is and its allowed by ZOS.

Reverb wrote: »

zaria wrote: »

FenixEscarlata wrote: »

Thanks for all your answers! I meant "safe" for being banned, yes, I didn't considered the other options and it's very useful to know about it. Then I'll be using those except for the Harvest Map, unless I really need it, and I'll be aware of updating them when needed.
Thanks again for your advice

Safe from getting banned is not an problem for any known addon you can download with minion.
As other say if they contain code ZoS don't like they changes it like changes to the auto setting green stars, or that addon who warned you about sneaking enemies trying to snipe you.

Now an addon who is private as in only used in a guild I would be aseptically to especially in PvP.

Even private addons can only use data that Zeni makes available in the API. It isn’t possible to use addons to do anything nefarious. Even the old Miat’s was using open API elements that the devs knowingly made available. When they found the negative impact, Zeni tweaked the API to stop providing those pre-combat messages and other data. That’s how they control and limit what addons can do. Please don’t vilify addons or players like this.

I suspect you’re talking about client-side cheats and exploits to modify gameplay. Those programs are still very real and used in both pvp and pve. They aren’t addons though, they are separately executable programs to modify the game file, and will absolutely get you banned if caught using one.

Some people will refer to those client-side cheats as addons though. I suspect some are doing it unknowingly - someone they trust has told them it's an addon and they don't know how to identify the differences between them and legitimate addons which use the API. But I also suspect some people do it deliberately, both to deflect suspicion if they want/need to mention it for any reason, and to lure in the first type of person to use it.

A few years ago I saw one for another game where someone had made up this whole elaborate story about how the developer of this "totally safe and harmless mod" was the poor victim of a conspiracy by the entire rest of the modding community, who had banned it from all the mod sharing sites because it was so amazingly awesome and useful that they were jealous and afraid it would make all their mods look bad by comparison...and totally nothing at all to do with the fact that the entire thing was a trojan horse for a key logger to steal data from people's PCs. The creative writing involved was almost more impressive than the mod, the trojan and the key logger put together.

FenixEscarlata wrote: »

I installed the Harvest Map without the database and I found it really useful. So if I use the .bat database obtained from the plugin I can be banned or it is allowed?

You will not get banned. That is merely a database of nodes that other players have found.

The only danger is addiction. Be sure to update them regularly or glitches can happen.

Elsonso wrote: »

Danikat wrote: »

If you stick to getting addons from either ESOUI or Minion you're safe. Everything that goes on there is vetted to make sure it is what it says it is and its allowed by ZOS.

Vetted? Really? That is a surprise. Who is doing this work?

I believe these people here: https://esoui.com/forums/showgroups.php?

Before you upload an addon to the site/ minion it is not immediately available to anyone, and no one can download the files.

These files are verified by one of the moderators and disallowed if the file is malicious.

The rules of esoui/ minion also state

Executable files are not allowed, except for some very specific cases. We test and decompile all executable files that are submitted. In some cases we may ask for the source. This processes could take awhile.

However, any code that the game runs (i.e. addon lua files) are not ran independently, the game client interprets each and every line and chooses to run it or not. If the line reads SetPlayerGold(1000000) the game will simply not run that line of code, the game chooses how to handle each and every single line.

Of your list I use Votan's Minimap, Combat Metrics, Bag Space Indicator and HarvestMap and all have worked well for me.

Only thing I'd caution is installing\enabling them all at once. Do individually and then test in-game (if you've the patience haha), or in small batches.
That way if your client does start crashing or other weirdness occurs you'll be able to narrow down the offending add-on easier.

Remember to check for updates every so often, or especially after any major content or version update.
Also not a bad idea to read the change logs the add-on authors include in the add-on description window.
If you have problems occur right after updating a few add-ons, sometimes what the author mentions in the log may give you a clue to finding out which add-on is causing undesirable weirdness.

twev wrote: »

I mention it here only because I haven't seen anyone else post anything about it on any forum yet.

You could address it on esoui chat page of the specific addon (harvest map and/or azurah) and maybe you could find people with a similar problem and more inclined to help you... it's not too unusual to discuss addon issues here in the general discussion from time to time, but it's definitely not belonging here.

Make also sure everything is up to date (i dont use minion, i suppose it keeps everything updated by itself, but better check).

Had no issues using combat metrics and harvest map so far.

@FenixEscarlata
All of the addons at www.esoui.com are safe to use! They are checked before upload against virus etc.
If you fear they could harm your items you need to read their descriptions and addon comments, as the comments often provide you info about current bugs or shortcomings of other users.

If addons are in the outdated and discontinued section at esoui: DO NOT use them anymore and search for replacements.
e.g. Inventory Grid View is outdated and throws error messages and should be replaced by "Grid List", which is mentioned in the addon comments multiple times already.

Beside that addons could always have a bug that could throw any error message etc. But they won't auto destroy your items or something like this :-) So they should be safe to use IF you read how they work and setup them in their settings menu properly according to your use-case (if your use-case is supported the way you'd like it to work).

There is no general "yeah, it's great for you!" answer, just an "It's safe to use in terms of virus, malware, etc."