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Head-to-head · Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting

Minecraft Realms vs Nodecraft

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 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
Nodecraft #9 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.4/10 Paid plans · price varies by game ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Nodecraft

Minecraft Realms leads on 1 check, Nodecraft on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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
  • Lowest starting priceMinecraft Realms · $3.99/mo

Minecraft Realms scores higher on our rubric for minecraft bedrock server hosting: 8.8 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #9.

Minecraft Realms is cheaper to start at $3.99/mo against $5.96/mo. Nodecraft offers java–bedrock crossplay; Minecraft Realms doesn't.

Minecraft Realms is the better fit for console families who want zero setup. Nodecraft is the better fit for bedrock players who want a server near them.

  • Minecraft Realms fits best

    Console families who want zero setup

  • Nodecraft fits best

    Bedrock players who want a server near them

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Minecraft Realms 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Nodecraft 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.4
Ranking #5 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting #9 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting
Best for Console families who want zero setup Bedrock players who want a server near them
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $3.99/mo (best) $5.96/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Features Minecraft Realms 3/4 · Nodecraft 3/4
Native Bedrock server ✓ ✓
Java–Bedrock crossplay — ✓ (best)
Console join ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Add-ons & packs ✓ ✓
Specs
Server locations Not checked yet 27 locations
Bedrock server software Not checked yet Bedrock Dedicated Server, Cloudburst
Price per GB RAM From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial $2.98/GB/mo
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
  • 27 listed cities, including Auckland, Tokyo, Tel Aviv and São Paulo
  • The One Click Installer switches Bedrock to Cloudburst for plugin support
  • The add-on guide covers .mcpack, .mcaddon and .mcworld files
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
  • Lite servers hibernate until someone wakes them with a share link
  • Always-on Pro Bedrock plans start at $9.98 for 2 GB
  • Support is staffed only from late morning to evening, Central time
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 →

Nodecraft sells Bedrock Edition hosting on the same Lite and Pro lines as Java, with the vanilla Bedrock server by default and Cloudburst, the successor to NukkitX, available from the One Click Installer for plugins. Its add-on guide…

Read the review →
  1. Minecraft RealmsMinecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.8From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial
  2. NodecraftMinecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.4Paid plans · price varies by game

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

  • Nodecraft — where it wins

    • 27 listed cities, including Auckland, Tokyo, Tel Aviv and São Paulo
    • The One Click Installer switches Bedrock to Cloudburst for plugin support
    • The add-on guide covers .mcpack, .mcaddon and .mcworld files

    Where it doesn't

    • Lite servers hibernate until someone wakes them with a share link
    • Always-on Pro Bedrock plans start at $9.98 for 2 GB
    • Support is staffed only from late morning to evening, Central time
  • 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 →
  • Nodecraft8.4/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game

    Bedrock servers in 27 listed cities with Cloudburst plugins and an add-on guide, from $5.96 for 2 GB.

    Visit NodecraftFull 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