A Minecraft server is an online multiplayer world where people play together, often in a community built around a particular style of play. To join one, first check whether you use Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, then choose a server that supports your edition and suits your preferred play style and comfort level. If you want a private world for friends with little setup, Minecraft Realms is an invite-based option.
What is a Minecraft server?
A server is an online world that lets multiple players meet and play together. Community-run servers may focus on different experiences, such as minigames or competitions, and set their own rules and social norms. Minecraft’s official server page is one place to explore community servers.
“Server” can also describe a private world hosted through Realms or a world run by a player or group using their own hosting arrangement. The right choice depends on who should be able to join, how much setup the group wants, and whether the world needs to stay available when its owner is offline.
What’s the difference between a server and a Realm?
A public community server is generally open to players who meet its access requirements. It has its own community, play style, rules, and moderation approach. A Realm is a private, cloud-hosted world that players join by invitation; it stays available when its owner is offline. Minecraft describes Realms as a low-setup way to play online with friends.
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| Choice | Who can join | Availability | What to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public community server | Players who meet the server’s access requirements | Depends on the server | Check the rules, play style, edition and version support, and moderation before joining. |
| Private Realm | Players invited by the owner | Available while the owner is offline | Players must use the same Minecraft edition. The owner pays for the subscription; invited friends do not need their own Realm subscription. |
| Self-hosted or third-party-hosted server | Set by the group running it | Depends on its hosting arrangement | Offers more direct control, but setup, hosting, and costs depend on the chosen arrangement. |
Realms plans and listed prices
Minecraft’s official Realms page, accessed October 8, 2026, lists the following U.S. dollar monthly prices and simultaneous-player capacities. Prices, taxes, features, and platform requirements can change; check the page for current terms. Console multiplayer may also require a separate platform subscription.
| Plan listed by Minecraft | Listed price | Simultaneous players |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Realms | $3.99 USD/month | Owner plus two players |
| Bedrock Realms Plus | $7.99 USD/month | Owner plus ten players |
| Java Realms | $7.99 USD/month | Owner plus ten players |
Can Java and Bedrock play together?
Realms support cross-play within an edition, not between Java and Bedrock. Bedrock players can play together across supported Bedrock devices; Java Realms support Windows, Linux, and macOS. A public server may advertise support for more than one edition, but do not assume that a Java player can join a Bedrock server, or vice versa, without checking that specific server.
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Before choosing a world, identify the edition on each player’s device and confirm the server’s edition and version requirements. Device and edition support are not the same thing: a server’s compatibility information, rather than the device alone, determines whether a player can connect.
How do I join a Minecraft server?
- Identify your edition. Check whether you are playing Java Edition or Bedrock Edition. If you are joining friends, ask which edition they use.
- Find a server. Bedrock players can browse featured servers in the in-game Servers tab. You can also consult Minecraft’s official server list or get connection information from a server owner you trust.
- Check the details first. Read the server’s rules and confirm its edition and version support, play style, access requirements, and moderation approach. A listing does not mean every server is suitable for every player.
- Use the game’s server controls. Select a listed server or add an existing one using the controls available for your edition and device. Labels and steps vary, so use the relevant Minecraft Java multiplayer guidance or the in-game instructions for your platform.
- For a Realm, get an invitation. Ask the owner to invite you, and make sure you both use the same edition.
How should you choose a server?
Match the world to the people who will play, not just to its name or player count. Check these details before committing time to a community or subscription:
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- Edition and version: Confirm that every player can connect with their edition and game version.
- Access: Decide whether the group wants a public community or an invite-only world.
- Play style: Look for a server whose activities and community suit the group, whether that means minigames, competitions, or another style.
- Rules and moderation: Read the rules and understand how players can report problems and who handles moderation.
- Capacity: Check how many people can play at once. For Realms, compare the listed capacity with the size of the group.
- Availability: If friends need to play while the owner is away, choose an arrangement that keeps the world online; Realms are designed to do this.
- Cost: Public server access and hosting arrangements vary. For Realms, check the current plan price and any platform subscription requirements before the owner signs up.
What should parents know about multiplayer safety?
Access controls and moderation depend on the account and the type of server. Minecraft says multiplayer is disabled by default for child accounts, and players under 13 cannot join servers or Realms unless a parent changes the settings. Review the child account’s multiplayer and chat settings before enabling access.
Minecraft says official partner servers use chat filters. On private servers, moderation is controlled by the server owner, so families should also review that server’s rules and understand how the owner handles reports. Safety features do not make every community risk-free; choose a world with an access and moderation approach that fits the player.
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See Minecraft’s server safety guidance and child account social features information for more on multiplayer access and safety controls.
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