If you’re looking to play Minecraft with friends, you’ll eventually hit this question: Should I use Minecraft Realms, or get a hosted server?
At first glance, they seem similar — both let you play online with others. But once you look under the hood, the differences start to matter. A lot.
Let’s break down what each option really gives you, and which one fits your style.
What is Minecraft Realms?
Minecraft Realms is Mojang’s official server hosting service. It’s built into the game, subscription-based, and designed to be simple.
There are two versions:
- Realms (Bedrock) — for mobile, console, and Windows 10/11 players
- Realms (Java) — for the PC version of Minecraft
You pay a monthly fee, pick a world template or use your own, and invite friends. Easy setup, no external software, minimal customization.
What is a hosted server?
A hosted server is what it sounds like — a dedicated Minecraft server hosted by a third-party provider (like LumaBlast).
It gives you:
- Full control over game rules, plugins, mods
- 24/7 uptime
- Higher performance options
- Compatibility with tools like Forge, Fabric, Spigot, Paper
- The ability to create a truly custom multiplayer world
It’s still multiplayer Minecraft — just way more flexible.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Minecraft Realms | Hosted Server |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Super easy, in-game | Easy with hosting UI |
| Mods/Plugins | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Full support |
| Max players | 2–10 depending on tier | Up to 100+ |
| Customization | Very limited | Nearly unlimited |
| Version control | Always latest version | You pick the version |
| Performance tuning | None | Adjustable (RAM, CPU, etc.) |
| Backups | Automatic | Automatic + manual options |
| Support | Mojang email support | Live chat, tickets, knowledge base (varies by host) |
| Price | ~$3–8/month | ~$2–$65/month (varies by plan) |
| Bedrock support | Yes | Yes (with compatible host) |
Where Realms makes sense
- You want zero setup — like, literally click and go
- You only play with a few friends
- You’re on mobile or console
- You don’t care about mods or plugins
- You’re okay with limited control
Realms is great for casual, plug-and-play multiplayer. It’s like renting a bike — simple, but you can’t change the seat or paint the frame.
Where hosted servers win
- You want to use mods or datapacks
- You care about performance and uptime
- You want more than 10 players
- You’re building something long-term
- You want to run multiple worlds or mini-games
- You plan to grow a community or server project
Hosted servers are like owning your own vehicle — more responsibility, but way more freedom.
What about cost?
Realms:
- ~$3.99/month for 2 players (Bedrock)
- ~$7.99/month for 10 players (Java)
Hosted servers:
- ~$5/month for small plans
- Scale up based on player count, RAM, etc.
At a glance, Realms seems cheaper, but hosted servers can offer better value for larger groups or longer play sessions — especially when you need plugins, modpacks, or backups.
So, which one’s right for you?
Choose Realms if:
- You want instant setup
- You’re only playing casually with a small group
- You’re on console or mobile and don’t care about mods
Choose hosted servers if:
- You want to customize everything
- You’re using mods or plugins
- You need higher performance
- You want to grow a community or create a long-term world
Think of Realms as the quick-and-easy option. Hosted servers are the upgrade for people who want more than just “default Minecraft.”
If you’re ready to take that next step, LumaBlast makes it simple — full version control, modpack installs, backups, support, and absolutely no lag drama.
