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Head-to-head · Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting

Shockbyte vs Minecraft Realms

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Shockbyte #4 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.9/10 Paid plans · price varies by game ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Shockbyte
Minecraft Realms #5 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.8/10 From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Realms

Shockbyte leads on 1 check, Minecraft Realms 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 scoreShockbyte · 8.9/10

Shockbyte scores higher on our rubric for minecraft bedrock server hosting: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Shockbyte offers java–bedrock crossplay; Minecraft Realms doesn't. Minecraft Realms offers console join; Shockbyte doesn't.

Shockbyte is the better fit for bedrock owners who want to test pre-release builds. Minecraft Realms is the better fit for console families who want zero setup.

  • Shockbyte fits best

    Bedrock owners who want to test pre-release builds

  • Minecraft Realms fits best

    Console families who want zero setup

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Side by side

Feature Shockbyte 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Minecraft Realms 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #4 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting #5 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting
Best for Bedrock owners who want to test pre-release builds Console families who want zero setup
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $3.99/mo $3.99/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Features Shockbyte 3/4 · Minecraft Realms 3/4
Native Bedrock server ✓ ✓
Java–Bedrock crossplay ✓ (best) —
Console join — ✓ (best)
Add-ons & packs ✓ ✓
Specs
Server locations 16 locations Not checked yet
Bedrock server software Bedrock Dedicated Server, PocketMine-MP, Nukkit, Tesseract, Genisys, GenisysPro, BlueLight, ImagicalMine Not checked yet
Price per GB RAM $3.99/GB/mo From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial
Our review
Pros
  • Server types include BDS, PocketMine-MP, Nukkit and several other Bedrock builds
  • Behavior packs and add-ons install from .mcpack or .mcaddon files
  • Pre-release and full release Bedrock versions are both supported
  • 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
Cons
  • The help centre says Xbox and PlayStation can't join by IP
  • Bedrock plans are priced at the premium rate, $3.99 per GB
  • The 72-hour refund can be claimed only once per client
  • 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
Our verdict

Shockbyte's Bedrock hosting runs on the same premium ladder as its Java plans and supports a long list of server software: the Bedrock Dedicated Server by default, PocketMine-MP for plugins, and Nukkit, Tesseract, Genisys, GenisysPro,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. ShockbyteMinecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.9Paid plans · price varies by game
  2. Minecraft RealmsMinecraft Bedrock Server Hosting 8.8From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Shockbyte — where it wins

    • Server types include BDS, PocketMine-MP, Nukkit and several other Bedrock builds
    • Behavior packs and add-ons install from .mcpack or .mcaddon files
    • Pre-release and full release Bedrock versions are both supported

    Where it doesn't

    • The help centre says Xbox and PlayStation can't join by IP
    • Bedrock plans are priced at the premium rate, $3.99 per GB
    • The 72-hour refund can be claimed only once per client

  • 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
  • Shockbyte8.9/10 · Paid plans · price varies by game

    Bedrock plans from $3.99 for 1 GB with a long list of server software, add-on support and pre-release builds.

    Visit ShockbyteFull verdict →
  • 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 →

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