Minecraft Realms is Mojang's server service built right into the game. Your own server is a rented server that you manage yourself. Both have their strengths – here's the overview.
The comparison
| Realms | Your own server | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | right in the game, no technical knowledge needed | a few clicks in the client area |
| Mods and plugins (Java) | not possible | plugins, mods and full modpacks |
| Add-ons (Bedrock) | Marketplace content | your own add-ons and packs |
| Player count | designed for small groups | depends on the memory you book |
| Minecraft version | always the current one | freely selectable (Java), including older ones |
| Settings | the main game rules | everything, e.g. via server.properties and the console |
| Files and backups | world backups | full file access, backups, SFTP |
| Joining | via the Realms invitation | via the server address |
| Price | fixed monthly subscription from Mojang | depends on the resources |
Java Edition
Realms for Java is pure vanilla Minecraft: no plugins, no mods, no modpacks. In return, there are ready-made minigames and adventure maps.
On your own Java server you install plugins (e.g. for permissions, homes or protected areas), mods with Fabric or Forge and complete modpacks with one click in the Installer tab. You choose the Minecraft version yourself, can pre-generate your world and have the console for every command.
Bedrock Edition
With Bedrock, Realms is particularly convenient: players on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch can join directly. On your own Bedrock server, consoles need a small workaround – here's how. Phones, tablets and Windows connect directly via the server address.
In return, you can install your own add-ons and packs on your own server – not just Marketplace content – and configure the server completely yourself.
Which one suits you?
- Realms if you want to play vanilla with a few friends without any hassle.
- Your own server if you want to use mods, plugins or modpacks, invite more players, play a specific version or configure everything yourself.
Java or Bedrock? That depends on what your group plays on – Java or Bedrock: which server?
Moving from Realms
You can take your Realms world with you:
- Java: download the world via the world backups in the Realms settings. It ends up as a single-player world on your PC – then continue with Uploading your single-player world to the server.
- Bedrock: download the world in the Realms settings, export it as
.mcworldand follow Minecraft Bedrock: uploading your own world.
No server yet?
You can test any server free for 24 hours – Rent a Minecraft server (Java) or Rent a Minecraft Bedrock server. You'll also find the current prices there.