Minecraft Realms
Minecraft Realms: Mojang's own subscription servers, joined natively from Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, phones and PCs. Ranked #5 of 14 in Minecraft Bedrock Server Hosting by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial; best for console families who want zero setup.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFrom $3.99/mo · 30-day trial
- Best forConsole families who want zero setup
- Free planNo
- Paid from$3.99/mo
- Console joinYes
- Facts checked18 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Minecraft Realms
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 natively by invitation, which removes the console workarounds third-party servers need. Mojang's add-ons FAQ says add-ons work in Realms worlds, and Realms Plus includes a rotating Marketplace Pass catalogue of creator content.
Bedrock pricing is simple. Realms for Bedrock Edition costs $3.99 a month and allows the owner plus two players online at once, while Realms Plus costs $7.99 a month, raises that to the owner plus ten, and adds the Marketplace Pass. Up to 10,000 people can be invited, and invited members don't need their own subscription. Worlds are saved automatically, each Realm has three world slots, and after a subscription ends the worlds can be downloaded for 18 months. New subscribers get a 30-day trial that renews automatically unless cancelled.
Realms is a convenience product, not a server you control. There are no plugins, no choice of server software, no file access and no published RAM or locations, Bedrock and Java Realms can't share a world, and console multiplayer still requires each platform's online subscription. Groups larger than eleven, or anyone who wants PocketMine plugins, Geyser crossplay or a public server, should rent from a host. For a family or a small group of friends on consoles who want to press play and nothing else, it is the easiest option available.
Your product? Our editors can test Minecraft Realms in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Minecraft Realms pricing
Minecraft Realms fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $3.99/mo |
| Native Bedrock server | Yes |
| Java–Bedrock crossplay | No |
| Console join | Yes |
| Server locations | Not verified |
| Add-ons & packs | Yes |
| Bedrock server software | Not verified |
| Price per GB RAM | Not verified |
| Pricing | From $3.99/mo · 30-day trial |
| Website | minecraft.net |
| Facts checked | 18 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Minecraft Realms
- BisectHostingNative Bedrock with Endstone, auto-processed add-ons and console join guides for Xbox, PlayStation and Switch.9.3
- Apex HostingBedrock from $3.99 for 1 GB, one-click Geyser, add-on guides and console joins on Xbox, Switch and PS.9.1
- ShockbyteBedrock plans from $3.99 for 1 GB with a long list of server software, add-on support and pre-release builds.8.9
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Minecraft Realms vs the competition
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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