Create. Explore. Survive.

Minecraft Platforms + Game Features

Buy Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition* and get both versions of the game for the price of one. You can easily switch between Java and Bedrock Edition using the unified launcher and cross-play with any current version of Minecraft, including consoles and mobile. Learn more about the different Minecraft editions.

 

*macOS and Linux are compatible with Minecraft: Java Edition only.

Compare the key features of Minecraft Bedrock Edition and Java Edition.

Java

Bedrock

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Cross-play with Windows, Mac, and Linux

Cross-play with Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and mobile

Split screen multiplayer
(Available only on consoles)

Not Included

Included

Controller/touch support

Not Included

Included

Minecraft Marketplace

Not Included

Included

Marketplace Pass

Not Included

Included

Downloadable Content (DLC)

Not Included

Included

Mods

Included

Not Included

Official featured multiplayer servers (online multiplayer requires subscription sold separately)

Not Included

Included

Realms

Included

Included

Realms Plus

Not Included

Included

Host your own server

Included

Included

Join player-hosted multiplayer servers

Included

Included

Achievements/Trophies

Not Included

Included

LAN or Wifi Multiplayer

Included

Included

Parental Controls with Xbox Live or Microsoft Accounts

Not Included

Included

Ray Tracing

Not Included

Included

How Minecraft works

Minecraft’s Steve swings a pickaxe

Gather Resources

The typical journey starts with punching a tree to gather wood. The rest of your Minecraft adventure is up to you, whether you mine for precious ores or seek out rare materials. Just make sure to stock up on food!

Minecraft’s Alex swings their sword at a creeper

Survive the Night

When the sun goes down, hostile mobs abound. Will you face them or sleep through the night? And remember: it’s always dark underground...

Minecraft’s Alex and Steve building together with stone and wooden scaffolds

Build Amazing Things

Minecraft is the ultimate building game. Craft tools, build a humble shelter, or engineer your base with redstone. Can you build a base in the Nether? Only one way to find out.

Play with Friends

Survive and build with friends in this cross-platform game. Join lively communities or create your own private server with Realms!

Steve and chicken characters on a hill looking across at other characters on a grassy hill
Public

Online

Connect and play with players across the world, wherever they are.

Play in a custom world together with other players.

 

Discover community-run servers, full of activities and home to thousands of players.

 

3 Minecraft characters around a Nether portal with chickens, a rabbit and Creeper mob
Private

Realms

Play locally or online on your own server; a persistent online world, safely stored in the cloud.

Get instant access to a catalog of 150+ Marketplace Pass content items, with new fun stuff added every month.

 

Create and manage your own personal server together with up to 10 friends.

 

Alex and goat in a boat with other characters on an island fishing and cooking by a fire
Private

Co-Op

Play couch co-op together with friends and family on your device.

Play in a custom world together with other players on a shared platform or through a LAN.

 

Play with friends and family on a local private server with separate devices.

 

Key art for 3 games: Minecraft showing Steve, Alex and a character with wings in a bright biome. Minecraft Dungeons battling mobs in a dark cave. Minecraft Legends with a hero standing between two opposing armies.Key art for 3 games: Minecraft showing Steve, Alex and a character with wings in a bright biome. Minecraft Dungeons battling mobs in a dark cave. Minecraft Legends with a hero standing between two opposing armies.

Get all 3 Minecraft Games

Frequently asked questions