How much is a Minecraft Realm?

On Minecraft.net, Bedrock Realms is $3.99 a month, Realms Plus is $7.99 and Realms for Java is $7.99. Prices may differ by region and can change.

Can friends join my Realm for free?

Yes. Mojang says friends you invite play free, though they still need the right edition of the game. Console players also need their platform online subscription.

Do I need to port forward for a Realm?

No. Realms run on Mojang servers, so you do not open anything on your home network.

Can Java players join a Bedrock Realm?

No. Java and Bedrock use separate online servers. Java Realms works with Windows, macOS and Linux only.

What happens to my world if I stop paying?

Mojang says you have 18 months after a subscription expires to download your worlds. Download backups before that window closes.

Minecraft Realms vs Your Own Server: Play With Friends

Want a private world for you and your friends? The simplest way is a Realm, a paid service run by Mojang that stays online all day. You can also run your own server for free, but it takes more work. Prices below come from Minecraft.net, were re-checked on October 10, 2026, and may change by region.

Key takeaways

Realms is the easy option. It runs 24/7, keeps backups and you approve every player.
Bedrock Realms costs $3.99 a month for you plus 2 players. Realms Plus is $7.99 for you plus 10.
Realms for Java is $7.99 a month for you plus 10 players.
Your own server is free software, but you handle setup, updates and network settings.
Java and Bedrock players cannot join each other's servers.

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Realms plans compared

Plan	Price (USD/month)	Online at once	Works with
Realms (Bedrock)	$3.99	You + 2	Bedrock devices: consoles, phones and Windows PC
Realms Plus (Bedrock)	$7.99	You + 10	Bedrock, plus the Marketplace Pass catalog
Realms for Java	$7.99	You + 10	Windows, macOS and Linux only

All plans include a personal server that is always on, free backups and three world slots. Only one of the three worlds can be active at a time. Friends you invite play for free and do not need their own subscription, and up to 10,000 people can be invited even though the simultaneous limit is smaller. New subscribers may get a 30-day free trial. Subscriptions renew automatically at the then-current price unless you cancel. If a subscription ends, you have 18 months to download your worlds.

What the plans include

Feature	Bedrock Realms	Realms Plus	Java Realms
Marketplace content	Yes	Yes	No
Marketplace Pass catalog	No	Yes	No
Realms Stories	Yes	Yes	No
Cross-play with Bedrock consoles and phones	Yes	Yes	No

Console multiplayer also needs a separate platform subscription, such as the online service for your console. Realms does not include it.

How to create a Realm

Open Minecraft and select Play.
Choose Create New World.
Pick a 2 player or 10 player Realm.
Read and accept the terms, then start the trial or subscribe.
Invite friends from the Realm settings.

Version 26.3 (Wilderness Bound) added a Join Realm screen and lets owners create up to five invite codes. Learn more in our Wilderness Bound news guide.

Host your own server

Mojang offers free server software for both editions. For Java you need a compatible Java runtime to launch the server file. To let people outside your home join, you must open port 25565 and may need port forwarding on your router. Bedrock servers run on Windows or Linux and need their own ports opened.

Downloading the software means you accept the Minecraft EULA. Your PC must stay on while friends play. Since version 26.3, the white-list property is on by default, so only people on your list can join until you change it. That is a nice safety default, but it surprises many first-time hosts.

Basic steps for a Java server on your own PC

Download the server file from Minecraft.net into an empty folder.
Run it once from a command window. It creates files, including eula.txt, and then stops.
Open eula.txt and change eula=false to eula=true if you accept the terms.
Start the server again and wait until it says it is done loading.
Add friends to the white list with the whitelist command, then give them your address only if they are people you trust.

Friends on the same home network can join with your local address. For friends elsewhere you need port forwarding, or a hosting company. Hosting companies cost money but remove the router work and keep the server on all day.

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Which option should you pick?

You want	Best choice
A private world for 3 friends, no setup	Bedrock Realms
Up to 10 friends, phones and consoles mixed	Realms Plus
Java with mods or commands for a small group	Realms for Java or your own server
Free, and you like tinkering	Your own server
Minigames with strangers	Public server, with a parent's check

Keeping a Realm safe

Share invite links only in places you control, such as a family group chat. Use the invite codes added in 26.3 and delete one if it leaks. Remove players who break your rules, and keep a backup before big builds or experiments. Because you decide who joins, a Realm is the easiest way to avoid strangers.

Public servers

Big community servers are run by third parties and are not moderated by Mojang. They are fun but not always child-friendly, and chat can include strangers. Read the parents guide first. For young players, a Realm where you approve every guest is the safest start.