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Head-to-head · Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting

Minecraft Realms vs Aternos

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Minecraft Realms #5 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.8/10 From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Realms
Aternos #6 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.6/10 Free Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Aternos

Minecraft Realms leads on 0 checks, Aternos on 2, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMinecraft Realms · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly Aternos
  • Most featuresAternos · 4 of 4

Minecraft Realms scores higher on our rubric for minecraft bedrock server hosting: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Aternos offers free plan; Minecraft Realms doesn't. Aternos offers java–bedrock crossplay; Minecraft Realms doesn't.

Minecraft Realms is the better fit for console families who want zero setup. Aternos is the better fit for bedrock friends on a zero budget.

  • Minecraft Realms fits best

    Console families who want zero setup

  • Aternos fits best

    Bedrock friends on a zero budget

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Side by side

Feature Minecraft Realms 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Aternos 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #5 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting #6 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting
Best for Console families who want zero setup Bedrock friends on a zero budget
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $3.99/mo Free
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Features Minecraft Realms 3/4 · Aternos 4/4
Native Bedrock server ✓ ✓
Java–Bedrock crossplay — ✓ (best)
Console join ✓ ✓
Add-ons & packs ✓ ✓
Specs
Server locations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Bedrock server software Not checked yet Bedrock Dedicated Server
Price per GB RAM From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial Free
Our review
Pros
  • Consoles, phones and PCs join natively, with no DNS tricks or relay apps
  • Invited members play for free; only the owner subscribes
  • Worlds are saved automatically and stay downloadable for 18 months after cancelling
  • Native Bedrock servers for free, with no playtime limit
  • Add-ons, behavior packs and resource packs upload to the packs folder
  • The console guide covers PlayStation and Xbox through BedrockTogether
Cons
  • The $3.99 Bedrock Realm allows only the owner plus two players online at once
  • No plugins, server software choice, file access or published locations
  • Bedrock Realms can't host Java players; there is no crossplay bridge
  • Nintendo Switch players aren't covered by the console method
  • Servers stop when empty and can queue before starting
  • No choice of location; servers run in European data centres
Our verdict

Minecraft Realms is Mojang's own server subscription, built into the game rather than rented from a host. A Bedrock Realm is available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, phones, tablets and Windows, and players on all of them join…

Read the review →

Aternos offers Bedrock Edition servers running the official Bedrock software at no cost. Add-ons, whether behavior packs or resource packs, can be uploaded straight into the server's packs folder, and each Bedrock server gets a unique link…

Read the review →
  1. Minecraft RealmsMinecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.8From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial
  2. AternosMinecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.6Free

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Minecraft Realms — where it wins

    • Consoles, phones and PCs join natively, with no DNS tricks or relay apps
    • Invited members play for free; only the owner subscribes
    • Worlds are saved automatically and stay downloadable for 18 months after cancelling

    Where it doesn't

    • The $3.99 Bedrock Realm allows only the owner plus two players online at once
    • No plugins, server software choice, file access or published locations
    • Bedrock Realms can't host Java players; there is no crossplay bridge

  • Aternos — where it wins

    • Native Bedrock servers for free, with no playtime limit
    • Add-ons, behavior packs and resource packs upload to the packs folder
    • The console guide covers PlayStation and Xbox through BedrockTogether

    Where it doesn't

    • Nintendo Switch players aren't covered by the console method
    • Servers stop when empty and can queue before starting
    • No choice of location; servers run in European data centres
  • Minecraft Realms8.8/10 · From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial

    Mojang's own subscription servers, joined natively from Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, phones and PCs.

    Visit RealmsFull verdict →
  • Aternos8.6/10 · Free

    Free Bedrock servers with add-on uploads, console joining via BedrockTogether and one-click Geyser.

    Visit AternosFull verdict →

More comparisons

All minecraft bedrock server hosting comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update