What Minecraft Realms subscription includes

Minecraft Realms is a subscription service that lets you run a private multiplayer world on Minecraft's servers instead of on your own computer. When you pay for a Realm, Microsoft hosts the world, handles the technical setup, and keeps it running even when you are not playing. You and up to ten other players can join that world at the same time.

The subscription covers the server space itself, automatic backups of your world, and the ability to invite specific players to join. You do not have to own the computer that runs the world or manage server software. Realms works on Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile versions of Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition, though the version you use determines which players can join your Realm.

When your subscription ends, your world is saved for 18 months. If you renew within that window, you get your world back. If you do not renew, the world is deleted after 18 months.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft Realms costs between $8 and $11 per month depending on your region and which version of Minecraft you own.
  • A Realm can have up to eleven players online at once — you plus ten invited players — and the subscription covers hosting and backups.
  • You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your world, then resume it later.
  • Realms is separate from Game Pass; owning Game Pass does not include a Realm subscription, though Game Pass Ultimate members get one free month to try it.

Minecraft Realms pricing and billing

Realms costs between $8 and $11 per month in the United States, depending on your region and currency. The exact price varies by country. You are charged monthly on the date you started the subscription, and you can cancel anytime without a penalty.

If you cancel mid-month, you keep access to your Realm until the end of that billing period. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months at a time, which stops the monthly charge but keeps your world saved. After three months of pausing, the subscription automatically resumes unless you cancel it.

Game Pass Ultimate members receive one free month of Realms as a trial. After that month ends, you are charged the regular monthly price unless you cancel. Regular Game Pass (not Ultimate) does not include Realms access.

Java Edition versus Bedrock Edition Realms

Minecraft has two versions, and Realms works differently in each. Java Edition Realms runs on Windows and Mac and lets you play with up to ten other players. Bedrock Edition Realms runs on Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile devices, and also supports up to ten other players.

The two versions cannot play together. If you own Java Edition, a Java Realm will not let Bedrock players join, and vice versa. You need a separate subscription for each version if you want to run both a Java Realm and a Bedrock Realm at the same time. The monthly cost is the same for each.

Java Edition Realms also lets you upload your own world files and install certain mods, though the mod options are limited compared to running a server on your own computer. Bedrock Edition Realms does not support mods or custom world uploads in the same way.

How to set up and manage a Realm

To create a Realm, you need a Microsoft account and a copy of Minecraft. Open Minecraft, go to the Realms menu, and select "Create Realm." You will choose a name, pick a world type (Survival, Creative, or Adventure), and set the monthly subscription to start. Your Realm is live within a few minutes.

Once your Realm is running, you invite players by entering their Microsoft usernames or by sharing an invite link. Players who receive an invite can join your Realm from the Realms menu in their own copy of Minecraft. You can remove players at any time, and you can change the world settings (difficulty, PvP on or off, and so on) from the Realm settings menu.

Your world is backed up automatically every few hours. If something goes wrong, you can restore a previous backup from the Realms menu. You can also download your world to your own computer if you want to keep a copy or move it to a different hosting service.

Who can join your Realm

Only players you invite can join your Realm. You control the invite list entirely — there is no public server browser or way for strangers to find your world. You invite by username, and the invited player must have a Microsoft account and own a copy of Minecraft on the same version (Java or Bedrock).

If you are playing Java Edition, only Java Edition players can join. If you are playing Bedrock Edition, only Bedrock Edition players can join. Cross-platform play does not work between Java and Bedrock Realms.

You can invite up to ten players at a time, meaning eleven people total (you plus ten others) can be in the Realm simultaneously. If you want more players, you would need to use a different hosting service or run a server on your own computer.

Realms versus other hosting options

Realms is the simplest option if you want a private multiplayer world without managing server software yourself. You pay a flat monthly fee, and Microsoft handles everything. The trade-off is that you cannot install most mods, customize the server as deeply, or have more than ten other players online at once.

If you want more players, mod support, or deeper customization, you can rent a server from a third-party host (such as Nitrado, Aternos, or others) or run a server on your own computer. Those options are usually more complicated to set up and may cost more, but they give you more control.

Aternos offers a free tier with limited uptime, which is an option if you want to try multiplayer without paying. Realms has no free tier, though Game Pass Ultimate members get one free month to test it.

What happens if you stop paying

When your subscription ends, you lose access to your Realm immediately. Your world is saved on Microsoft's servers for 18 months. If you renew your subscription within that window, you can restore your world and continue playing.

If you do not renew within 18 months, your world is permanently deleted. You cannot recover it after that point. If you want to keep a copy of your world before your subscription ends, download it to your computer from the Realm settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play on a Realm by myself, or do I need other players?

You can play on a Realm alone. You do not have to invite anyone. A Realm is useful for solo players who want their world backed up automatically and accessible from multiple devices, or who might want to invite friends later without setting up a separate server.

What if I want to use mods on my Realm?

Java Edition Realms supports a limited set of mods through the Realms Plus subscription (a separate paid tier). Bedrock Edition Realms does not support traditional mods. If you need extensive mod support, you will need to rent a server from a third-party host or run one on your own computer.

Can I transfer my world from a Realm to my own server?

Yes. You can download your world file from the Realm settings menu and upload it to another hosting service or run it on your own computer. The download process takes a few minutes, and the file is then yours to use however you want.

Do I need to pay for Realms if I own Game Pass?

Game Pass Ultimate includes one free month of Realms. After that, you pay the regular monthly price. Regular Game Pass (not Ultimate) does not include Realms at all. If you cancel your Realms subscription, you can start a new free trial month later if you still have Game Pass Ultimate active.

What if my Realm goes down or I lose connection?

Microsoft maintains the servers, so outages are rare. If you lose connection, you can rejoin the Realm once your internet is back. If there is a widespread outage, Microsoft posts updates on their status page. Your world is not affected by connection issues — it stays on the server.