Minecraft Java Edition costs $26.99 and Minecraft Bedrock Edition costs $19.99

The price you pay depends on which version you want. Minecraft Java Edition, the original PC version, costs $26.99 as a one-time purchase. Minecraft Bedrock Edition, the newer cross-platform version, costs $19.99. Both are sold through the official Minecraft launcher on minecraft.net, and you own the game permanently once you buy it — there is no monthly subscription.

The difference between the two matters if you plan to play with friends. Java Edition runs only on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Bedrock Edition runs on Windows PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile devices, so you can play together across different platforms. If you already own one version, you cannot switch to the other for free, though some players who bought Java Edition before a certain date received a free Bedrock copy.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft Java Edition costs $26.99 and Minecraft Bedrock Edition costs $19.99, both as one-time purchases with no recurring fees.
  • Java Edition is PC-only and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux; Bedrock Edition runs on Windows PC and also on consoles and mobile devices.
  • You buy the game through the official Minecraft launcher at minecraft.net using a Microsoft account.
  • Mods and custom content are free, but cosmetic add-ons like skins and texture packs cost between $1 and $20 depending on the creator.

How to buy Minecraft on your Windows PC

Go to minecraft.net and click the "Get Minecraft" button. You will be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account — if you do not have one, you can create it for free during the purchase process. Choose which version you want: Java Edition or Bedrock Edition. The page will show you the price and let you complete the purchase with a credit card, debit card, or Microsoft account balance.

After you pay, the game downloads to your computer automatically. For Java Edition, you launch it through the Minecraft Launcher. For Bedrock Edition on Windows, it installs through the Microsoft Store. Both versions let you start playing single-player worlds right away without waiting for anything else.

Optional costs: skins, texture packs, and marketplace content

The base game has no hidden costs, but Minecraft offers optional cosmetic add-ons you can buy separately. These include custom skins (character appearances), texture packs (visual themes that change how the world looks), and world templates. Prices range from $1 to $20 depending on the creator and what is included.

These purchases are entirely optional — the game is fully playable without them. Java Edition players can also read free mods and custom content from community sites, which Bedrock Edition does not support in the same way. If you want to customize your game without spending extra money, Java Edition gives you more free options through the modding community.

Differences between Java and Bedrock pricing

Java Edition costs $3 more upfront but has a larger free modding community, so you can change gameplay and appearance without paying. Bedrock Edition costs less initially but relies more on the official Minecraft Marketplace for add-ons, where most cosmetics have a price tag. Neither version charges a monthly fee to play online with friends.

If you play on a server or realm (a persistent world others can join), Bedrock Edition realms cost $8 per month, but this is optional — you can play multiplayer for free using other methods. Java Edition does not have an official realm system, though private servers are available through third-party hosts.

Where your money goes after purchase

When you buy Minecraft, you own a license to play the game on that account. You can install it on multiple computers you own, but only one person can play at a time per license. If someone else in your household wants their own copy, they need to buy their own license.

Minecraft updates are free for both versions — you never pay to get new features, blocks, or creatures. The money Mojang (the company that makes Minecraft) earns from game sales goes toward development, server costs, and creating new content that rolls out to everyone.

Free ways to try Minecraft before buying

Both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition offer a free trial that lasts 100 minutes of gameplay. Go to minecraft.net, select the version you want to try, and click "Try for Free." The trial gives you access to a creative mode world where you can build without limits, so you can see if you like how the game plays before spending money.

The trial is the same full game — it is not a limited or stripped-down version. After 100 minutes, you can either buy the full version or stop playing. This is a real way to decide which version suits you before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Minecraft on PC without paying?

You can try either version free for 100 minutes through the official trial. After that, you need to buy the game. There is no free-to-play version of Minecraft on PC, though some games like Minecraft Dungeons are separate titles with different pricing.

Do I need to pay monthly to play online?

No. Both Java and Bedrock editions let you play multiplayer with friends for free. Bedrock realms (optional persistent worlds) cost $8 per month, but you can play multiplayer without them using other methods.

If I buy Java Edition, can I also get Bedrock Edition free?

Only if you bought Java Edition before October 2020. Players who owned it before that date received a free Bedrock copy. New purchases of either version do not include the other.

Are there any hidden costs after I buy the game?

No. The game itself has no hidden fees. Cosmetic add-ons like skins and texture packs cost extra, but they are optional and clearly priced before you buy them.

What is the cheapest way to get Minecraft on PC?

Bedrock Edition at $19.99 is the lowest price. Both versions go on sale occasionally during major shopping events, though sales are not may provide. The official Minecraft launcher is the only place to buy directly from the developer.