What a Minecraft server is and the kinds you can join

A Minecraft server is the program that holds a shared world and lets players connect to it over a local network or the internet. Players join with their normal copy of the game, while the server software runs on another machine or on the host's own computer. This page covers Realms, a friend's world and a dedicated server, on Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.

What a Minecraft server is

The Minecraft Wiki describes a server as a game environment for multiplayer, reached through the internet or a local area network (LAN). Players connect with the client software, and the world lives on the server software. Mojang Studios distributes that server software free of charge. We read these pages on 10 October 2026. We did not set up or run any server for this article.

Realms and other kinds of server you can join

Mojang describes a Realm as a subscription to your own personal server. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition each have their own Realms, and the one you need depends on the edition you play. Per Mojang's Realms page, Java Realms gives 3 world slots for you and 10 friends, with a 30-day free trial from the Realms button in the client. On Bedrock, the basic Realms subscription suits you and two friends, while Realms Plus lets you and up to 10 friends play together.

You can also join a public server run by the community. On Bedrock, the Servers tab lists featured servers. On either edition, you add the address the server owner gives you. On Java, your game must be the same version the server runs, so a snapshot player usually has to switch back to the latest full release first.

Mojang's server pages add three conditions. Players need a free Xbox profile before joining servers. Xbox players need a full Xbox Game Pass Core subscription for online access. Child accounts have online multiplayer off by default, and players under 13 cannot join Realms or servers unless a parent changes the settings.

Playing on a friend's world

The lightest option is to share a world you already have. On Java, the menu entry "Open to LAN" lets people on the same network join, and you pick the game mode and whether cheats are allowed. On Bedrock, "Invite to Game" sends invites to friends by gamertag. The limit is plain: the world is only reachable while its owner is playing. Our guide to playing Minecraft with friends covers the steps, and the cross-platform article covers which devices can join each other.

Running a dedicated server

A dedicated server is software that does nothing but host. The free server software is on Mojang's server page. That page says the setup there is for Java Edition, while its FAQ says a Bedrock dedicated server also exists and runs on supported Windows or Linux. Java Edition needs a compatible Java runtime, and the Wiki lists Java 25 for 26.1 and later.

The Wiki says a Survival server with 4 to 8 players runs on most modern hardware. It suggests at least 2 GB of RAM for small servers, possibly 4 GB for larger ones, and 5 GB of disk space. It adds that servers mostly use a single CPU core and need no GPU. Players outside your network need port forwarding, and Java's default port is 25565. Mojang says it cannot support home networks or privately made servers, and the Wiki expects a monthly fee from third-party hosting.

Where mods and plugins fit

The server decides what extras are possible. Plugins run only on the server, on software such as Paper or Spigot, and players join with a normal client. The Wiki notes that this custom software is not supported by Mojang Studios. Our comparison of Paper and Spigot server software and the plugin install guide go further, and plugins, mods and data packs explains the split.

Mods work differently. A Java mod needs the loader it was made for, and the Wiki says Forge and Fabric servers exist for modded play. Mods are Java Edition only, so a Bedrock server cannot load them. Whether a given mod must also be on each player's machine is covered in client-side vs server-side mods. To host one, see hosting a modded server.

Which kind of server suits you

For a few friends and little effort, a friend's world or a Realm avoids networking entirely. Plugins and mods run on custom server software such as Paper, Spigot, Forge or Fabric, which means running a dedicated server yourself or paying a host, with the setup work that brings. If you run one for friends only, a whitelist limits who can join.