Minecraft Realms: Your Own Private Minecraft World

Ever messed around with online multiplayer servers in Minecraft? Some are cool, some are just plain weird, and, let's be honest, a lot seem like potential scams. The folks at Mojang saw this, so they created an alternative: Minecraft Realms. These are basically private servers that are safer, more fun, and come with some cool extra stuff.

So, what are Minecraft Realms exactly? How do they work? And are they going to cost you? Let's break it all down.

Minecraft Realms: The Lowdown (2024)

Minecraft is a unique game, especially when it comes to playing online with others. Minecraft Realms take that whole experience and makes it even better. The great thing is, you can use Realms whether you're on the Java or Bedrock edition of Minecraft, so no one has to miss out.

Of course, if you're looking for something different in your single-player game, you can always use Forge to add mods.

Okay, let's dive into the details of Minecraft Realms and how you can start using them.

What Exactly Are Minecraft Realms?

Think of Minecraft Realms as personal servers that Mojang and Microsoft provide. You pay for a subscription, and then you and up to 10 friends can play together in a secure, private world across nearly any Minecraft platform. That's right, Realms support cross-play, meaning people on different devices can all join in the fun, as long as they're on the same edition of the game (Java or Bedrock). Unfortunately, Java and Bedrock still don't play together, even with Realms.

Realms are easy to change and customize. The best part? You don't have to build everything from scratch! Minecraft gives you a bunch of pre-made worlds to choose from for your Realm. You can even adjust world settings like mob spawning, difficulty, and more.

Minecraft Realms on Bedrock

Believe it or not, the Bedrock edition actually gets some extra love when it comes to Realms. If you subscribe to Realms Plus for Bedrock, you get access to over 150 content packs from the Minecraft Marketplace. These packs include things like new skins, textures, and even adventure maps. Content is added every month, so there's always something new to check out.

There's also a cheaper plan for Bedrock if you only want to play with a few friends (3 total on the server). This cheaper option doesn't have the monthly content, but it's still a solid, reliable way to play. Realms on Bedrock also let you add some community-created content to your server. Plus, if you want the best-looking graphics, remember that RTX is exclusive to the Bedrock edition and works on Realms!

Minecraft Realms on Java

Since Java doesn't have an official marketplace, there's no Realms Plus option. But Java Realms still have their perks. The big one is the ability to use mods. With community-made creations and support from third-party developers, Java is perfect if you really want to customize your game.

While Bedrock Realms limit you to the add-ons that Minecraft provides, Java Realms let you add almost any mod you want. The downside of Java Realms is the cross-play limitation. You can only play with other Java players (Windows, Mac, and Linux). You can't play with friends on Bedrock. You can install Optifine on Java to improve the graphics to get the similar graphic fidelity enabled by RTX on the Bedrock edition.

Minecraft Realms: Costs and What You Get

So, what's this all going to cost? Since Mojang handles all the server stuff, they charge a monthly fee for Realms. You can cancel anytime.

Here's a breakdown of the different Minecraft Realm subscription options: Features Bedrock Realms Bedrock Realms Plus Java Edition Realms Monthly cost (recurring) $3.99 USD $7.99 USD $7.99 USD Number of players You + 2 You + 10 You + 10 Server online 24/7 Yes Yes Yes, but mods might go offline without the main PC active Friends play free Yes Yes Only on PC Marketplace support Yes Yes No World slots Three Three Three + individual mods Free monthly content No 150+ packs No User-created content support Yes Yes Yes Cross-platform (Bedrock devices) Yes Yes No Crossplay with Java No No Yes

Which Realm is Right for You?

The Realm plans are different depending on which Minecraft edition you're using. Here's what to consider:

• Small group on Bedrock: The basic Bedrock Realm is perfect if you just want to play with a couple of close friends.
• Larger group or more content on Bedrock: Realms Plus is the way to go if you have up to 10 players or want those extra customization options.
• Java player: You automatically get almost everything that Realms Plus offers on Bedrock, except for the free monthly content. Luckily, you can make up for that with community-made mods.

If you need more than 10 people on your server, Realms won't work. In that case, you'll need to look into setting up a custom server.

Realms vs. Custom Servers: What's the Difference?

Realms and custom servers both let you play Minecraft online with friends, but there are some key differences: FEATURES Realms Custom Servers Pricing $3.99 or $7.99 USD Free and Paid plans available Customization Limited Almost Unlimited Players Max 10 Practically Unlimited Setup & Maintenance Automatic Manual 24/7 Server Yes Usually Requires paid plans New Content Monthly packs (Realms Plus) Community created content Earning Potential None Can offer paid content Friend/User Fees Free Free

If you want a huge server, tons of control, and maybe even want to make money from your server, a custom server is the way to go. But if you just want a simple, safe, and private place to play with friends without the hassle of setting everything up yourself, Realms are a great choice.

Getting Started with Minecraft Realms

Since Realms are a way for Mojang to support the game, they've made it easy to sign up. In the Java Edition, you'll find the option to buy a Realm right on the main menu.

In the Bedrock Edition, you can create a new world and there you can subscribe to Realms and Realms Plus. You can do the same to an existing world by editing it, there will be an option called "Play on Realm" in the settings.

When you select Play on Realm, you can pick the type of Realm you want (2-player or 10-player slots). Plus, if you've never used Realms before, you can usually get a free 30-day trial when you get to the payment screen.

One thing to keep in mind: if you're on a console (Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch), you'll also need a subscription to their online service (Xbox Live Gold, PlayStation Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online) to use Realms.

Common Questions About Realms

Can I have more than 10 players on a Realm?

Nope, 10 is the limit on official Realms. If you have a bigger group, a custom server is your only option.

Are Minecraft Realms worth it?

Whether a Realm is worth it depends on what you're looking for. If you want a simple way to play with friends without the stress of managing a server, then yes, they're definitely worth considering.

Can I get Minecraft Realms for free?

The easiest way is if a friend who owns a realm lets you join theirs. As long as they allow it, you get to play on their server and use all the Realm's content for free.

How do I join a Minecraft Realm?

The owner of the Realm will have a special six-digit code that they can share with others. You can enter this code in Minecraft to join their server. In same cases like on PC, they can just send you an invite link that you can click to join.

Do Realms work on all Minecraft versions?

Realms work on most current versions of Minecraft, but not on beta versions or snapshots.

Ready to Start Your Own Realm?

Now you know everything you need to decide if Minecraft Realms are right for you. They might not be for everyone, but for many players, they offer the perfect way to enjoy Minecraft with friends in a safe and customized environment.