What Minecraft Realms is and who it's for

Minecraft Realms is a subscription service that lets you run a persistent multiplayer world on Minecraft's servers instead of on your own computer. When you subscribe, Microsoft hosts the world for you, keeps it running even when you're offline, and handles the technical setup. You invite friends to join, and up to 10 players can play together at the same time.

Realms is different from playing on a local network with friends in the same room, or joining a public server run by someone else. With Realms, you own the world, control who joins it, and the world exists whether you're playing or not. It's the closest thing to running your own private server without needing to maintain hardware or pay a hosting company separately.

The service exists for both Java Edition (the original Minecraft for PC) and Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows, consoles, and mobile). The two versions have separate subscriptions and separate worlds — a Realms subscription for Java doesn't give you Realms for Bedrock.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft Realms costs a monthly subscription fee that varies by platform; Java Edition and Bedrock Edition have different prices and are not interchangeable.
  • Microsoft hosts the world on their servers, so it runs 24/7 without your computer being on, and you can invite up to 10 players to join at once.
  • You can download your world at any time and move it to a different server or play it locally, so you're not locked in permanently.
  • Realms includes access to a marketplace where you can buy maps, skins, and texture packs created by other players, though these are optional purchases on top of the subscription.

Minecraft Realms pricing by platform

Java Edition Realms costs $7.99 per month in the United States. Bedrock Edition Realms costs $7.99 per month as well, though pricing may differ in other countries. Both subscriptions renew automatically each month unless you cancel.

Neither version offers a free trial in the traditional sense, but both let you create a free trial world for a limited time before you commit to paying. The trial world is separate from a paid Realms world and expires after a set period.

If you're unsure whether Realms is worth the cost, the trial is the best way to test it with friends before your payment method is charged. You can cancel the trial at any point without being billed.

How to start a Realms subscription

To subscribe to Realms, you need a Microsoft account. Open Minecraft, select "Realms" from the main menu, and choose to create a new Realm. The game will show you the subscription cost and ask you to confirm payment. Your payment method is charged immediately, and your Realm becomes active right away.

You can then invite friends by sharing a link or by entering their usernames directly. Friends don't need their own Realms subscription — only the person who owns the Realm pays. Invited players just need a copy of Minecraft and a Microsoft account to join.

If you're on Bedrock Edition, the process is the same, but you're creating a Bedrock Realm, which is separate from Java. You'll need to subscribe to both if you want Realms on both platforms.

What happens to your world if you cancel

When your subscription ends, your Realm stops running on Microsoft's servers, but the world itself isn't deleted immediately. You have a grace period (typically 18 months) to download your world before it's removed permanently. During that time, you can't play on the Realm, but you can save the world file to your computer.

Once you download the world, you can play it locally in single-player mode, or you can upload it to a different hosting service if you want to keep it multiplayer. This means you're not locked into Realms forever — your progress and builds belong to you and can move with you.

If you resubscribe to Realms later, you can create a new Realm, but you'll need to upload your downloaded world file to restore it. You won't automatically get your old Realm back.

Realms vs. other ways to play multiplayer

Realms is one option among several for playing Minecraft with friends. A local network game requires everyone to be on the same WiFi and costs nothing, but only works when you're all playing at the same time. Public servers are free and always running, but you don't control who joins or what happens on them, and you're subject to the server owner's rules.

Third-party hosting services (like Nitrado or Aternos) let you run a server on someone else's hardware, similar to Realms, but often with more customization options and sometimes lower cost. However, they require more technical knowledge to set up and manage. Realms is simpler and more tightly integrated with Minecraft, but offers less control over server settings.

For a small group of friends who want a private world that's always available and easy to set up, Realms is usually the most straightforward choice. For larger communities or players who want deep customization, a third-party host might be better.

The Minecraft Marketplace and optional purchases

Realms includes access to the Minecraft Marketplace, where you can buy maps, skins, texture packs, and other content created by players and studios. These purchases are separate from your Realms subscription and are optional. You can play Realms without ever visiting the Marketplace.

Marketplace items are bought with Minecoins, a virtual currency you purchase with real money. Prices vary, but a single skin might cost 300 Minecoins while a full map could cost 1,000 or more. Once you buy something, it's yours to use on any world you play on that platform.

Friends who join your Realm can see and use any Marketplace content you've installed on that world, but they don't need to own it themselves. This means you can enhance your Realm with custom maps or textures without requiring everyone to pay extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Minecraft Realms on console?

Realms is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox through Bedrock Edition. The subscription cost and process are the same as on Windows. You invite friends the same way, and up to 10 players can join at once. Java Edition Realms is only available on PC.

What if I want to play with more than 10 people at once?

Realms has a hard limit of 10 simultaneous players. If you need more, you'll need to use a third-party hosting service or a public server. Some hosting companies offer servers for 20, 50, or more players, though they typically cost more than Realms.

Do I need a paid Realms subscription to play on someone else's Realm?

No. Only the person who owns and pays for the Realm needs a subscription. Friends you invite can join for free as long as they have Minecraft and a Microsoft account. You can have multiple friends playing on your Realm at the same time without them paying anything.

Can I transfer my Realm to a different hosting service?

Yes. When you cancel your subscription, you can download your world file and upload it to another hosting service like Nitrado, Aternos, or a self-hosted server. The world data is yours to move. Some hosting services have tools to make the transfer easier.

What if my internet goes down — does my Realm stay running?

Yes. Because Microsoft hosts the Realm on their servers, it keeps running even if your internet connection drops or your computer is off. Your friends can still play on it. You just won't be able to join until your connection is back.