Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: What’s the Difference?

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Minecraft is one of the most popular sandbox games since its release, but it’s still confusing to get started. This is because the developers maintain two similar but independent versions of the game, Minecraft Bedrock and Minecraft Java Edition. If you haven’t tried the game yet, you can play Minecraft for free in your web browser to understand what the game is about. For console and smartphone users, Minecraft Bedrock is the only option, but PC users can choose between them. Now, if you want to get started with Minecraft, think about which version is best for you. This article describes the similarities and differences between Minecraft Bedrock and Java Edition.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: Detailed Comparison (2021)

Visually, both the Minecraft Bedrock edition and the Java edition look the same. But don’t be fooled by the appearance, as Minecraft Bedrock is developed in C ++, while the Java edition is clearly developed in Java. Developers maintain and develop features individually for each version. That said, it’s time to find out how these two versions of Minecraft are compared.

History of Minecraft

For beginners, Minecraft is an open world sandbox game that spawns into a random world. The main purpose of this block-shaped 3D Minecraft world is exploration. This is a seemingly endless game that gives users endless playstyles, numerous stories, and virtually endless terrain. Minecraft released the original first Java edition in 2011 and was a huge hit. Due to the growing popularity and demand for a variety of devices, developers launched the performance-focused Minecraft Bedrock in 2016.

Bedrock Edition started with the PC and later spread to Android, iOS, consoles and even other devices such as smart TVs. Bedrock is used to describe non-Java versions of the game. Officially, the Bedrock version of Minecraft is called Minecraft and the Java version is called Minecraft Java Edition. To avoid confusion, use Bedrock when discussing the Bedrock Edition of the game.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: Supported Platforms

Let’s start with availability. This is a big issue that may need to be addressed. Minecraft Java Edition is officially available at the following website: Windows, Mac, and Linux. Minecraft Bedrock, on the other hand, is available on almost every platform except Mac, Linux and Chrome OS. You can officially play Minecraft Bedrock on the following platforms:

  • Windows
  • Android
  • iOS / iPadOS
  • Nintendo switch
  • PS4 / PS5
  • Xbox One / Xbox Series X / Series S
  • Kindle Fire OS

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: Price

In terms of pricing, Minecraft Java Edition is priced at $ 26.95 on all platforms (Mac, Windows, Linux). Bedrock Edition pricing varies widely by platform. You can pay a minimum of $ 6.99 to try the game on iOS / iPad OS and Fire OS. The game costs $ 7.49 for Android, $ 20 for PS4 and Xbox consoles, and $ 26.99 for Windows PCs. This is the most expensive Nintendo Switch and you’ll have to spend $ 29.99 to get started with Minecraft Bedrock.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: Performance

If you have a powerful custom PC with a GPU like the newly released GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, you can get the most out of Minecraft with the Java edition. This is a very demanding version of Minecraft with excellent graphics. But that wasn’t until Bedrock Edition got the Minecraft with RTX update. At this time, Bedrock is a better choice if you’re using a mid-end to low-end PC, or if you want to play Minecraft at the high end with an RTX.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java RTX
Official NVIDIA screenshot of Minecraft Bedrock with RTX turned on

Ignoring RTX support, Minecraft Java allows you to use a number of mods to further enhance your graphics. However, Java relies on OpenGL for rendering that is not supported by RTX, so it will not run on RTX. Beyond graphics, Java Edition requires higher specs to run the game smoothly, even with the same settings as Bedrock Edition.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: Mods

Performance comparisons may seem to be Bedrock-biased due to the excellent graphics supported by the RTX, but the gaming experience goes beyond that. And this is where mods come in.

Mods are additional user-developed software that you can use to customize your game to a whole new experience. From Harry Potter to Star Wars, Minecraft has an ever-growing community of amazing mods, but with pitfalls. These mods are only available in the Java edition of the game. To further reduce complexity Minecraft Bedrock Edition is mod free..

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java
Official Screenshot of Witchcraft and Wizardry Minecraft Mod – Harry Potter Minecraft Mod

Simply put, if you want to use mods to extend the world of Minecraft 3D blocks, you need to choose the Java edition. There are some paid mods available in the Bedrock edition, but they are simply not worth the effort.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java Edition: Multiplayer Support and Servers

Both Minecraft Java and Bedrock support multiplayer. But their approach is a little different. With Minecraft Bedrock you can play with your friends on the console or mobile phone using Cross-play support.. That means your friends don’t have to be on the same platform as you. You can explore the map together using the Xbox / PS / Switch console or mobile phone.

Minecraft Java Edition players also support cross-play, but this is limited to Windows, Linux, and macOS computers. This is expected as the Java edition is not available on consoles and mobile devices.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java

If you have friends who want to play on different platforms, Minecraft Bedrock is for you. However, things change when it comes to online servers. If you need cool maps, great mini-games, and lots of random online players, Minecraft Java can cover all your jazz.

With early releases, we have a large community around the world without proper cross-play support.You may need a good PC to do it right Minecraft Java has the best online server in general.

Which version is better and faster to get game updates?

Good luck, Both editions of the game get regular maintenance updates From the developer. Overall, almost every official update has the same features and usually the same bugs.

Being a standalone version, MCJava had previously obtained previous updates. Now you can expect updates for both versions to arrive at both at about the same time. The situation is almost the same in the beta test phase. However, be aware that if the update contains bugs, you will find user-created fixes in the Java edition prior to Minecraft Bedrock for greater customizability.

Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock: Parental Controls

Minecraft is popular and targets young people. Even their educational version proves this fact. However, an open community with all sorts of mods, content, and in-game “hunting” means that not all parents comfortably allow their children to play the game. And if you’re a parent worried about the same thing, at this point it seems that only the Bedrock version deals with the situation.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java

Minecraft Bedrock Edition is linked to Xbox services, so young gamers can: Expect strict moderation and exclusive parental controls. The Java edition has no such restrictions or a suitable parental control system. For more worried parents, other sandbox games like Minecraft can give your child a better choice and a safer gaming environment.

Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock: Marketplace

When I say that the cores of Minecraft Java and Bedrock are different, I mean that. That’s because, on the one hand, there’s the official Bedrock edition marketplace with available skins and add-ons. On the other side Java edition supports community skins You can create, download, and even share with others.

Minecraft Marketplace

This establishes a scenario that makes the Bedrock edition look like a corporate version of the game and the Java edition feels like a good old community project. However, the line spacing is not read. If you want to buy a well-designed official skin and install it easily, you need to choose Minecraft Bedrock. If you’re willing to put extra effort into (usually) free community skins and other add-ons, choose the Java edition.

Minecraft Java and Bedrock hardcore mode

Bedrock fans are still waiting for the popular hardcore mode to reach Minecraft Bedrock. This is a dangerous survival-based mode, and in-game death means you’ll have to restart instead of respawning. The stakes are very high and fans love it. If this is the type of extreme gameplay you are looking for, you should use Minecraft Java.

There is no official statement yet, but fans of official Minecraft subreddit believe that the reason hardcore mode is Java-only may be underdeveloped audience mode. Audience mode for strangers is How to explore the world after dying in hardcore mode.. Until Mojang finds a solution, continuing to use the Java edition is the only option for hardcore players.

Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock: Which is better?

Before making a decision, let’s finally look at the differences between the two editions of Minecraft.

feature MINECRAFT JAVA MINECRAFT BED ROCK
Supported plate forms Windows, Mac, and Linux Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PS4 / PS5, Nintendo Switch, Kindle Fire OS
Cross play PC users only Available on all platforms
Modting Available NA
performance Consume a lot of resources Smooth on most systems
community Huge and growing exclusive
Parental control NA Available
skin Community base Available for purchase
Hardcore mode Available NA
Pricing $ 26.95 Starting at $ 6.99 on iOS and up to $ 29.99 on Nintendo Switch

As you may already understand If you’re not using a PC, Minecraft Bedrock is your only choice... This version of the game supports cross-play, parental controls, and beautiful RTX graphics. If you’re using a PC and need mod support, community-based servers, skins, and all the jazz, install the Java edition right away. Remember that you need a high-end PC to run Java Edition comfortably.

Minecraft Bedrock or Java Edition: Choose the right version!

That’s almost it. We hope it’s clearer what edition of this popular sandbox game you want to play and why. Share your choice with us in the comments section below. Fortunately, if you join one of these Minecraft Discord servers, you don’t have to choose the one that shares your love for the game. You can also find new players to enjoy the game. Last but not least, there are some fake Minecraft Mods since the Google Play store, as the game is not free to play. In addition, you can also play Minecraft Java on your Chromebook, which is covered in a detailed tutorial. Explore the magical 3D world of Minecraft!