Minecraft itself is not free, but a free trial exists on Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. It gives roughly 100 minutes of Survival play, offline, with no online multiplayer. Realms has its own 30-day trial for first-time users.
The facts below come from Mojang's free trial page, its Realms page and its store page, all read on 10 October 2026. We read those pages. We did not start a trial or play one.
What is free in Minecraft
Two things cost nothing. The first is the free trial of the base game, offered for both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. The second is a Microsoft account, which Mojang describes as free to set up and use on any Minecraft device. The trial needs you to sign in with one.
Joining someone else's Realm is also free. Mojang says invited members do not need a Realms subscription, and that you can invite any Minecraft player to play in your Realm for free.
| Item | Cost | What limits it |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial, Java or Bedrock | Free | About 100 minutes of in-game time, Survival mode, no online multiplayer |
| Microsoft account | Free | Needed to sign in to the trial |
| Joining a friend's Realm | Free | Invited members do not need a Realms subscription |
| Realms trial | Free for 30 days, first-time users only | Renews automatically unless cancelled |
| Full Minecraft | Purchase | Mojang's pages show no price figure, see the official store page |
What the free trial includes on Java and Bedrock
Mojang says the trial lets you play the core experience in Survival mode, including crafting, exploration and combat. The time limit is about 100 minutes of in-game time, roughly five in-game days, for both editions. Mojang adds that the length may vary slightly by device.
You can play offline during the trial. Java Edition is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Which edition suits you is a separate question, answered in Minecraft Java vs Bedrock Edition.
What the free trial leaves out
Online multiplayer servers are disabled. Mojang says LAN multiplayer is allowed, and gives the reason that the default trial name, Player, cannot be changed. Mojang's page names Survival as the trial mode and does not list other modes.
The trial is also a clock. After about 100 minutes the free play ends, so it works as a test of whether the game suits you, not as a way to play for free over time. If you want to play with friends later, how to play Minecraft with friends covers the routes, and whether Minecraft is cross platform covers which devices can join each other.
The free Realms trial
Realms are private, always-online servers run by Mojang. First-time users can try Realms for Bedrock Edition, Realms Plus for Bedrock Edition or Realms for Java Edition free for 30 days. Mojang states that the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it, so a trial is the start of a subscription, not a separate free tier.
Mojang's Realms page lists these monthly rates in US dollars, read on 10 October 2026.
- Realms for Bedrock Edition: $3.99 a month, you plus 2 other players at once.
- Realms Plus for Bedrock Edition: $7.99 a month, you plus 10 other players at once, with the Marketplace Pass catalog.
- Realms for Java Edition: $7.99 a month, you plus 10 other players at once.
Mojang's page also says Realms requires a supported copy of Minecraft, sold separately. On consoles, multiplayer needs a platform online subscription, also sold separately.
What you have to buy
To keep playing after the trial you need to buy Minecraft. Mojang's store page for PC says the Java & Bedrock Edition bundle includes both editions. It also says you do not need to buy Minecraft again when you move to a new computer.
The store comparison also shows where the editions differ on extras. Mods are marked as included on Java and not on Bedrock, while add-ons and the Minecraft Marketplace are marked as included on Bedrock and not on Java. Mojang's pages do not say whether the trial supports any of these, so we make no claim about it. For what each one is, see what a Minecraft mod is and what Minecraft add-ons are.
Where to check the price for your country
Mojang's pages show no price figure for the base game in their text, and we state none. For the current price, open the official Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC store page on minecraft.net, or the store page for your console or phone.
