Minecraft on PC costs money, but there is a free version with real limits

Minecraft Java Edition, the original PC version, costs $26.95 USD. Minecraft Bedrock Edition, the newer cross-platform version, also costs money — the price varies by region but runs around $20 to $27 USD depending on your location and any active sales. Neither version is free to own outright.

However, Microsoft offers a free trial of Minecraft Java Edition that lasts two hours of actual playtime. The trial lets you build, explore, and test the game before you buy. After two hours, the world closes and you cannot access it unless you purchase the full version. The Bedrock Edition does not have an official free trial through Microsoft, though some retailers occasionally bundle it with other purchases.

If you want to play Minecraft without paying anything, your only legal option on PC is to use the free trial for those two hours, or to wait for periodic free-play events that Microsoft runs — usually around holidays or major updates. Outside those windows, playing the full game requires a purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft Java Edition costs $26.95 USD and includes a two-hour free trial before you buy.
  • Minecraft Bedrock Edition costs $20 to $27 USD depending on your region and has no official free trial.
  • Microsoft occasionally runs free-play weekends, usually tied to updates or holidays, where you can play the full game for a limited time at no cost.
  • Once your trial or free-play event ends, you lose access to your world unless you purchase the version.
  • Realms, the multiplayer subscription service, costs extra on top of the game purchase and is not included in either edition.

The difference between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition

Java Edition is the original Minecraft, released in 2009. It runs only on PC (Windows, Mac, Linux) and is the version most players associate with the game. It has the largest modding community, the most customization options, and the longest track record. The two-hour free trial applies only to Java Edition.

Bedrock Edition launched in 2017 and runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, as well as phones, tablets, and consoles. It is designed to be the same game across all those platforms — your world and progress sync between devices if you use the same Microsoft account. Bedrock has fewer mods available but better performance on lower-end hardware. It does not offer a free trial.

If you own a Windows PC and want to try Minecraft free, Java Edition is your only option. If you already own Bedrock on another device (phone, tablet, Xbox), you can use the same Microsoft account to access it on your PC, but you still need to own the game.

What the two-hour Java Edition trial includes and excludes

The free trial gives you the full Java Edition game for two hours of playtime. You can build structures, mine resources, fight mobs, craft tools, explore the world, and do everything else the paid version allows. The trial world is a standard survival world with no restrictions on what you can build or where you can go.

When your two hours end, the world becomes inaccessible. You cannot load it again, add to it, or retrieve anything you built. The trial does not carry over progress or let you "pause" the clock — the two hours count down whether you are actively playing or the game is sitting idle. If you want to keep playing after the trial ends, you must buy the full version.

The trial is a real way to test whether you like the game before spending money. Many players use it to see if their PC can run Minecraft smoothly, or to decide between Java and Bedrock before committing to either.

Free-play events and when they happen

Microsoft runs free-play weekends several times a year, usually around major updates, seasonal events, or holidays like Christmas and summer break. During these events, both Java and Bedrock editions are free to play for a set period — typically three to five days. Your progress during the event carries over if you later buy the game.

These events are announced on the official Minecraft launcher and the Minecraft website. There is no set schedule, so checking the launcher or website is the only reliable way to know when the next event is coming. If you miss one, another usually arrives within a few months.

Free-play events are the closest thing to a "free version" of Minecraft on PC. They let you play the full game with no time limit during the event window, though you lose access once the event ends unless you buy the game.

Why Minecraft costs money and what you get for the purchase

Minecraft is owned by Microsoft, which acquired the game in 2014. The purchase price covers the game itself, all updates and new features released after you buy it, and access to the official servers and launcher. You do not pay a monthly subscription to play — you buy once and own the version.

Java Edition updates are free and come regularly, adding new blocks, mobs, biomes, and mechanics. Bedrock Edition also updates for free. Neither version charges you to keep playing after purchase. Realms, the optional multiplayer subscription that lets you host a world for friends, costs extra — $7.99 USD per month for Java Edition and $8 USD per month for Bedrock — but it is not required to play.

The money goes toward development, server maintenance, and ongoing updates. Minecraft is one of the best-selling games ever made, so the price reflects both its popularity and the fact that Microsoft continues to develop it years after release.

How to access the Java Edition trial

Go to the official Minecraft website and click the read button for the Java Edition launcher. Create or sign in with a Microsoft account (free to make). Open the launcher, and you will see an option to play the demo or buy the game. Click the demo button to start your two-hour trial.

The trial downloads automatically and launches the game. You will spawn in a default survival world. The timer starts counting down from two hours the moment you enter the world, regardless of whether you are playing or idle. Close the game to pause the timer, but the two hours will still count down when you reopen it.

Your PC needs to meet the minimum specs: Windows 7 or later, at least 2 GB of RAM, and a graphics card that supports OpenGL 1.2. Most modern PCs meet these requirements easily. If the game runs slowly, lowering the graphics settings in the launcher can help.

Alternatives if you do not want to buy Minecraft

If Minecraft's cost is a barrier, there are free games with similar building and exploration mechanics. Roblox is free and lets you build and play games created by other users, though it includes in-game purchases. Terraria costs $30 but is a one-time purchase with no subscription. Creative games like Blender are free but require more technical skill. None of these are Minecraft, but they offer some of the same appeal.

You can also check whether your school or library offers free access to Minecraft Education Edition, which is designed for classrooms and is sometimes available to students outside school hours. This is a different version from the consumer editions, but it is Minecraft and it is free if your institution provides it.

The two-hour trial remains the best way to decide if Minecraft is worth buying for you. Many players find it worth the cost given how much time they spend in the game after purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my two-hour trial if I do not finish exploring?

No. The two-hour timer cannot be extended or reset. Once it runs out, the world closes permanently. You can start a new trial with a different Microsoft account, but you will lose the first world. The only way to keep playing is to buy the full version.

Do I have to pay for updates after I buy Minecraft?

No. All updates to Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are free after purchase. You pay once and receive all future updates at no additional cost. Realms, the multiplayer hosting service, is optional and costs extra if you want it.

Is Minecraft free on PC if I own it on my phone or console?

Not automatically. If you own Bedrock Edition on a phone or console, you own it on those devices only. You must buy it separately for PC, even if you use the same Microsoft account. Java Edition is PC-only and does not transfer between devices.

Can I play Minecraft for free if I use mods or hacks?

Pirated or cracked versions exist, but using them violates Microsoft's terms of service and exposes your PC to malware and security risks. The legitimate free options — the trial and free-play events — are safer and legal.

What happens to my world if I buy Minecraft after the trial ends?

Your trial world is deleted and cannot be recovered. When you buy the game, you start with a blank slate. However, if you play during a free-play event and then buy the game, your progress from the event carries over.