Minecraft Java Edition costs $26.95 and Minecraft Bedrock Edition costs $19.99

Minecraft Java Edition, the original PC version, costs $26.95 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. You buy the game once and own it permanently — there is no monthly subscription required to play.

The price difference exists because the two versions run on different code. Java Edition is the version that has been around since 2009 and works only on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Bedrock Edition launched in 2017 and runs on Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile devices. If you own Bedrock on one platform, you can play on any other Bedrock platform with the same account.

Both versions go on sale occasionally, though neither has a predictable discount schedule. Steam sometimes discounts Bedrock Edition during seasonal sales, but the official launcher price stays the same year-round.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition costs $26.95 and Bedrock Edition costs $19.99, both purchased once through minecraft.net or Steam.
  • Java Edition is the original version and works only on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
  • Bedrock Edition works across Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile, and your purchase carries over between platforms.
  • Neither version requires a monthly subscription or membership fee after purchase.
  • Occasional sales happen on Steam, but the official Minecraft Launcher price does not change seasonally.

Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition: Which version costs what

Java Edition is the version most PC players grew up with. It costs $26.95 and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The community has built thousands of mods, custom maps, and servers around Java Edition. If you want to use mods or play on community-run servers, Java Edition is the only choice.

Bedrock Edition costs $19.99 and is designed to work across multiple devices. If you buy it on Windows, you can play the same world on your Nintendo Switch or Xbox using the same Microsoft account. Bedrock Edition does not support mods in the same way Java does, but it has a marketplace where creators sell maps, skins, and texture packs. Realms, the official multiplayer service, works on Bedrock and costs extra (see below).

The choice between them depends on what you want to do. If you plan to use mods or play on custom servers, buy Java Edition. If you want to play across multiple devices or prefer a simpler setup, buy Bedrock Edition.

Where to buy Minecraft on PC

The official Minecraft Launcher at minecraft.net is the primary place to buy both versions. You create a Microsoft account, pay through the launcher, and read the game when ready. Prices are $26.95 for Java Edition and $19.99 for Bedrock Edition.

Steam also sells Minecraft: Bedrock Edition for $19.99. Steam sometimes discounts it during sales events like Summer Sale or Winter Sale, though the discount amount varies. The official launcher does not discount either version. If you buy through Steam, the game launches through Steam but still requires a Microsoft account to play.

Do not buy from third-party key resellers or grey-market sites. Minecraft accounts are tied to Microsoft accounts, and keys from unauthorized sellers can be revoked. Stick to minecraft.net or Steam.

Multiplayer costs: Realms and servers

Playing with friends in the same world costs extra on Bedrock Edition. Realms is the official multiplayer service and costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Realms lets you host a world that up to 10 players can join at any time, and the world stays online even when you are not playing. You can cancel at any time.

Java Edition does not have an official Realms equivalent. Instead, Java players join community-run servers for free or pay individual server owners for access. Some servers are free; others charge a one-time fee or monthly subscription depending on the owner. There is no standard price because each server is independent.

If you want to play with one or two friends casually, you can also use the free LAN (local area network) feature in both versions, which works only if everyone is on the same Wi-Fi network.

In-game purchases and cosmetics

After you buy the game, cosmetics like skins, capes, and emotes are optional purchases. Java Edition has no official cosmetics shop — cosmetics come from mods or community packs. Bedrock Edition has a marketplace where you can buy skins, texture packs, and maps using Minecoins, a virtual currency.

Minecoins are sold in bundles: 320 coins for $2.99, 1,100 coins for $9.99, and larger bundles up to 6,200 coins for $49.99. Individual items in the marketplace range from $1.99 to $19.99. None of these purchases are necessary to play the game — they are purely cosmetic.

System requirements and free trial

Before you buy, check whether your PC meets the minimum requirements. Java Edition needs at least 2 GB of RAM and a processor from the last 10 years. Bedrock Edition needs Windows 10 or later and at least 4 GB of RAM. Both run on older computers, but performance will be slower.

Minecraft offers a free trial on both versions through the official launcher. The trial gives you 100 minutes of gameplay to test whether the game runs well on your computer and whether you enjoy it. After the trial ends, you need to purchase the full version to continue playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay every month to play Minecraft?

No. Both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are one-time purchases. You pay once and own the game forever. The only monthly cost is Realms on Bedrock Edition if you want an official multiplayer world, which is optional.

Can I play Minecraft for free on PC?

You can play the free trial for 100 minutes to test the game. After that, you need to purchase Java Edition ($26.95) or Bedrock Edition ($19.99). There is no permanent free version for PC.

Is Bedrock Edition cheaper because it is worse than Java Edition?

No, they are different, not better or worse. Bedrock costs less because it is newer and designed for multiple platforms. Java costs more because it is the original version with a larger modding community. Pick based on what you want to do, not on price alone.

Will the price go up in the future?

Minecraft prices have stayed the same since 2017. Microsoft has not announced any price increases, but prices can change at any time without notice.

Can I refund Minecraft if I do not like it?

Refund policies depend on where you bought it. The official Minecraft Launcher and Steam both allow refunds within a certain window if you have played for a short time. Check the refund policy on the platform where you purchased before buying.