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First, check whether everyone plays Java Edition or Bedrock Edition: ordinary Realms and server setups are edition-specific, so Java and Bedrock players generally cannot join the same world through these standard routes. Once your group is on the same edition, Realms is usually better for a small group that wants an always-available world with little administration. Hosting your own server is a better fit when someone wants more direct configuration and access control—and is willing to operate the server.
How do you choose between Realms and hosting your own server?
These are different ways to run a shared world, not interchangeable plans. With Realms, Mojang provides a private, cloud-hosted service. With self-hosting, a player supplies and operates the server. The practical choice depends on edition compatibility, the number of players who need to be online at once, how much control the group wants, and who will handle upkeep.
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- Choose Realms if you want a managed world that friends can access while you are offline, and you prefer not to maintain the server yourself.
- Consider self-hosting if you want direct server configuration or access controls and have someone willing to install, run, and maintain the software.
What is the difference?
| Factor | Minecraft Realms | Your own server |
|---|---|---|
| Who operates it? | Mojang hosts the Realm; the owner manages invitations and the world through the service. | The operator supplies and maintains the server software and the machine and network it runs on. |
| Availability | Cloud-hosted and always online, so invited friends can play when the owner is offline. | Available while the host machine and service are running and reachable. |
| Setup and upkeep | Integrated subscription with less server administration. | Requires installing and configuring compatible server software, then operating it. |
| Access and configuration | Private and invite-controlled, with features and capacity set by the selected plan. | The operator has direct configuration and player-access controls. |
| Group size | Current plans allow the owner plus either 2 or 10 simultaneous players, depending on plan. | Capacity depends on the software configuration and the machine and network; no universal player limit is established. |
| Cost | Recurring subscription. The US plan page lists prices by edition and plan. | Bedrock Dedicated Server software is free, but hardware, power, connectivity, and the operator’s time can have costs. |
| Backups and world continuity | The plan page lists free backups, and worlds can be downloaded. | The operator is responsible for planning and maintaining backups. Bedrock worlds can be copied into the official server’s worlds folder. |
Does Java or Bedrock Edition change the answer?
Yes. Decide on the edition before comparing price or setup. Java Realms supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Bedrock Realms supports Bedrock devices and platforms listed by Minecraft. For self-hosting, select server software compatible with the edition your group plays; Java and Bedrock server software are not interchangeable. Minecraft’s edition guide explains the distinction.
How many friends can join a Realm?
For the US plans listed on Minecraft’s Realms page, Bedrock Realms costs $3.99 USD per month and supports the owner plus 2 simultaneous players. Bedrock Realms Plus costs $7.99 USD per month, and Java Realms costs $7.99 USD per month; both support the owner plus 10 simultaneous players. These are US prices shown on the product page accessed in 2026, and prices or plan details can change.
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The same page says an owner can invite up to 10,000 friends. That is an invitation limit, not the number who can play at once. Invited members do not need to pay for their own Realms subscription. Check the current Realms page for availability and terms in your region.
What does hosting your own server involve?
Self-hosting shifts the work from the service provider to the operator. Microsoft’s free Bedrock Dedicated Server software runs on Windows and Ubuntu Linux. The operator configures server properties and allowlists, starts the service, and maintains it. The host machine and network must keep the server running and reachable for friends to join.
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Those specific operating-system details apply to Microsoft’s Bedrock Dedicated Server; they should not be assumed to describe Java server setup. For Bedrock instructions, see Microsoft’s Getting Started with Bedrock Dedicated Server. The guide says an existing Bedrock world can be copied into the server’s worlds folder.
Is it cheaper to host your own Minecraft server?
Not necessarily. The official Bedrock server software is free, but that does not make the complete setup cost-free. If someone already has suitable hardware and a connection, the additional expense may be different from a setup that requires new equipment or more ongoing power. The operator’s time is also part of the trade-off. Realms, by contrast, has a visible recurring subscription price. Without knowing your existing equipment, power use, connectivity, and desired uptime, there is no reliable universal cost winner.
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What should you check before moving a world?
World continuity matters whether you are starting fresh or changing how the group hosts. Realms’ plan page lists free backups and allows worlds to be downloaded. For a self-hosted Bedrock world, Microsoft documents copying an existing world into the server’s worlds folder. Before changing arrangements, preserve a copy of the world and confirm that it loads in the destination setup. The available documentation does not establish a single backup schedule or a universal migration experience.
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