Minecraft Realms & Realms Plus [Complete Guide]
By Emily Stone
In today’s Minecraft world, the players of Minecraft want to play the Minecraft game with friends and family on a private server. Why this? Everybody demands a safe, reliable, and easy-to-manage multiplayer Minecraft world. Minecraft Realms is the best option for having all necessary privacy for the player of Minecraft who wants a smooth, secure, and always good multiplayer experience.
Minecraft Realms
The latest version of Minecraft has a multiplayer feature. This feature of Minecraft allows you to play Minecraft with family and friends. While playing with family or friends, you need to have a private server where nobody else can enter or play the Minecraft game.
What is Minecraft Realms?
Minecraft Realms is an official, subscription-based multiplayer server service. It is developed by Mojang Studios. It is especially designed to offer a safe, simple, and always-online way for players of Minecraft to enjoy the Minecraft game with friends.
With the new version of Minecraft, you do not need any technical knowledge or hosting or configuration for private server setup; you can create your own private world by clicking a few options. Realms is available for both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.
Requirements for Minecraft Realms
You can enjoy the services of Realms by fulfilling the given conditions:
- You must have purchased the full version of Java Edition or Bedrock Edition.
- On your personal account, your age must be 16 or older. Otherwise you can enjoy Minecraft Realms with your parents’ consent.
- You must have a stable internet connection.
Minecraft Java Realms
Minecraft Java Realms is a monthly subscription-based server hosting service provided by Mojang Studios that lets players create their own private, always-online Minecraft world.
Key Features of Minecraft Realms (Java Edition)
| Feature | Details |
| Cross-play supported on | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| Monthly Subscription Price | $7.99 USD/month (recurring) |
| Simultaneous Players | You + 10 players (11 total online at once) |
| Maximum Invited Friends | Up to 10,000 invites |
| Server Availability | Personal server available 24/7 |
| Friends Play for Free | Yes |
| Automatic Backups | Free backups included |
| Minecraft Marketplace Support | Not supported |
| Includes Three World Slots | Yes (one active at a time) |
| Access to Marketplace Pass Catalogue | No |
| Supports User-Created Content | Yes (custom maps, data packs, etc.) |
| Includes Free Community Content | Yes (Java community creations) |
| Access to Realms Stories | No |
| Cross-platform with Bedrock/Consoles | Not supported (Java-only) |
Minecraft Bedrock Realms
Minecraft Bedrock Realms is an official subscription-based hosting service for Minecraft. It gives you a private, always-online server where you can invited friends and family to play Minecraft game anytime, without needing to set up or maintain your own server
Features of Minecraft Realms
The latest version of Minecraft provides many new and unique features of Minecraft Realms:
- Realms provides 24/7 online support.
- You can invite-only and private.
- The latest Minecraft added cloud saves with automatic backups.
- For Minecraft Bedrock Edition, Realms provides cross-platform support.
- You can switch between Minecraft worlds or mini-games
- You can get a free trial of Minecraft Realms.
Limitations of Minecraft Realms
Player Limit
Minecraft Realms allows you to invite only two players of Minecraft to join the Minecraft game at a time. While in Realms Plus, you can invite a maximum of 10 players at the same time.
No Mod Support
There is no mod support for the Java Edition of Minecraft. You can get only Marketplace add-ons, and user-created content like behavior packs and resource packs is supported.
No Advanced Controls
There is no way to schedule backups, resets, or auto-run commands in Minecraft Realms. There is a limitation on the admin control panel. It does not give any advanced server settings or console commands beyond in-game permissions.
Limited Minecraft World Size
Realms provides only limited Minecraft world size and performance. These limitations are generally capped to avoid overloading servers. If you are using Redstone machines or complex entities, then the Minecraft game may face lag.
No Dedicated IP
You cannot connect via external tools like FTP or remote access. Realms does not allow the installation of any anti-griefing tools, databases, or analytics.
Minecraft Realm Codes (2025)
As you know, official Mojang Realms are invite-only; many players share Realm invite links or codes for Bedrock Realms
How to Join Minecraft Realms?
For Java Edition of Minecraft
- Open Minecraft Launcher. Select Java Edition.
- Click Minecraft Realms.
- Select “Create New Realms.”
- Choose a name and game mode.
- Add players via their usernames.
For Bedrock Edition of Minecraft
- Go to Play
- Select “Create New.”
- Select “New Realms.”
- Choose your Minecraft world.
- Invite friends using their Xbox Gamer tags.
Pros and Cons of Using Minecraft Realms
| Pros of Minecraft Realms | Cons of Minecraft Realms |
| Easy setup, no technical skills needed | Small player cap (10 max) |
| Secure and private | Less mod/customization flexibility |
| Great for families and friends | Costs monthly |
| Always online with auto-backups | Not ideal for large-scale servers |
Minecraft Realms (Java vs. Bedrock)
| Feature | Realms (Java Edition) | Realms (Bedrock Edition) |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows 10/11, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Chromebook |
| Max Players Simultaneously | You + 10 invited players | You + 10 invited players |
| Invited Friends Limit | Up to 10,000 invites (only 10 online at once) | Up to 10,000 invites (only 10 online at once) |
| Always Online (24/7) | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Backups | Yes | Yes |
| World Slots | 3 world slots | 3 world slots |
| Supports Marketplace (skins/maps) | No | Yes |
| Supports User-Created Add-ons | Yes (custom maps/datapacks) | Yes (add-ons, behavior/resource packs) |
| Cross-Platform (within edition) | PC only (Windows/macOS/Linux) | Yes (across all Bedrock devices) |
What is Minecraft Realms Plus?
There is a difference between Minecraft Realms and Realms Plus. Minecraft Realms Plus is an official, subscription-based multiplayer server service. But the twist is here: it is only for the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. Clear it, Realms Plus is not Minecraft Java Edition.
With Realms Plus, you can access over 150+ pieces of curated Minecraft Marketplace content like maps, mini-games, and adventures. You will get the benefits of automatic backups and cloud saves, ensuring their Minecraft worlds are safe and accessible anytime.
Realms vs Realms Plus (Bedrock Edition)
| Feature | Realms | Realms Plus |
| Cross-play supported on | Android, iOS, Windows, Amazon Fire, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Chromebook | Android, iOS, Windows, Amazon Fire, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Chromebook |
| Monthly Subscription (Recurring) | $3.99 USD/month | $7.99 USD/month |
| Simultaneous Players | You + 2 players | You + 10 players |
| Invited Friends Limit | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| 24/7 Personal Server | Included | Included |
| Friends Play for Free | Included | Included |
| Free Backups | Included | Included |
| Minecraft Marketplace Support | Included | Included |
| Three World Slots | Included | Included |
| Access to Marketplace Pass Catalog | Not Included | Add-ons, worlds, and more |
| Supports User-Created Content | Included | Included |
| Access to Realms Stories | Included | Included |
| Cross-Platform Play (Bedrock devices and consoles) | Included | Included |
Minecraft Realms vs Public Servers
| Feature | Minecraft Realms | Public Servers |
| Privacy | Invite-only | Open to everyone |
| Player Limit | Max 10 | 1000s of players |
| Custom Mods/Add-ons | Limited (Bedrock) / Java OK | Extensive modpacks |
| Hosting | Mojang-managed | 3rd-party or community-hosted |
| Ideal For | Friends, small communities | Competitive or public gameplay |
Origin Realms
What is Origin Minecraft Realms?
Minecraft Origin Realms is a custom server. Basically, Origin Realms is a fan-made server built for Minecraft Java Edition that offers
- You will have custom biomes, mobs, and Minecoins.
- Origin Realms has storyline-based quests and NPCs.
- You will have survival gameplay with rich aesthetics.
Conclusion
Minecraft Realms is the best option if you want a hassle-free, private, and secure multiplayer Minecraft experience. You can enjoy this feature of Minecraft with your family, friends, and others. Minecraft Realms offers matchless convenience and security, regardless of whether you are playing the Minecraft game on PC, console, or Android devices. Origin Realms provides a complete, custom, community-driven Minecraft world with stunning creativity.
FAQs—Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Realms subscription to play multiplayer?
Ans: No, you can also play via LAN or third-party servers. Minecraft Realms is just easier and safer.
Can I use mods in Minecraft Realms?
Ans: If you are using Java Edition, then you can manually upload. But in the case of Bedrock Edition, you cannot do so.
Can I download my Realm world?
Ans: Yes! You can download the Minecraft worlds anytime, even after your subscription ends.
Can I pause my Realms subscription?
Ans: Yes, you can save and resume your Minecraft worlds for a limited time.