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

Minecraft Java Edition, the original PC version, is not free—it costs $26.99 USD. Minecraft Bedrock Edition, the newer cross-platform version for Windows 10 and 11, also costs money (usually $19.99 USD, though prices vary by region). However, Microsoft does offer a free trial of Bedrock Edition that lasts two hours of playtime, and there are some genuinely free ways to play Minecraft on PC if you know where to look.

The confusion happens because Minecraft has multiple versions, different pricing models, and free trials that look like full games. This guide explains what is actually free, what costs money, and what the differences mean for how you play.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft Java Edition costs $26.99 and is the original PC version with the largest modding community.
  • Minecraft Bedrock Edition costs $19.99 USD (prices vary by region) and runs on Windows 10 and 11, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and mobile devices.
  • Microsoft offers a free two-hour trial of Bedrock Edition through the Microsoft Store, but your world deletes when the trial ends.
  • Minecraft Education Edition is free for teachers and students with a school email address, but only for educational use.
  • If you own an Xbox Game Pass subscription, both Java and Bedrock editions are included at no extra cost.

The free trial: two hours, then your world is gone

The Microsoft Store offers a free trial of Minecraft Bedrock Edition for Windows 10 and 11. You read it, create a world, and play for up to two hours. After that, the game locks you out unless you buy it.

The catch is that your trial world does not transfer to the paid version. If you build something during those two hours and then buy the game, that world is deleted. You start fresh. This makes the trial useful for checking whether your PC can run the game and whether you like the controls, but not for actually building anything you want to keep.

To find the trial, open the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 or 11, search for "Minecraft," and look for the option labeled "Try for free" or "Free trial." The button is usually next to the price.

Minecraft Education Edition: free if you have a school email

If you are a teacher or student with an active school email address (from your school's domain, not a personal Gmail), you can read Minecraft Education Edition for free. This version is designed for classroom use and includes features like the ability to import real-world maps, built-in lesson plans, and chemistry tools.

You sign up at education.minecraft.net with your school email. The school must be registered with Microsoft, but most public and private schools in the United States are. If your school is not registered, your teacher or IT department can request it.

Education Edition is free to use, but it is locked to educational purposes. You cannot use it to play survival mode the way you would in the regular game, and your school can revoke access if you leave.

Game Pass: both versions included if you subscribe

If you have an Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription (the monthly fee varies, but is typically $9.99 to $11.99 USD), both Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition are included. You do not pay extra for either one—they come with the subscription.

Game Pass is a subscription service, so you only have access while you are paying. If you cancel, you lose access to both Minecraft versions. But if you already subscribe for other games, Minecraft costs you nothing more.

You can check whether Game Pass is worth it for you by looking at what other games you play. If you use three or four games from the Game Pass library in a month, the subscription often costs less than buying those games individually.

Why Minecraft Java and Bedrock are different prices

Minecraft Java Edition is the original version, released in 2009. It runs only on PC (Windows, Mac, Linux) and has the largest modding community because the code is easier to modify. Java Edition is $26.99 because it is a one-time purchase with no subscription.

Minecraft Bedrock Edition is newer (released in 2017) and is built to run on multiple platforms: Windows 10 and 11, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile. Because it is cross-platform, your worlds and progress sync across devices if you use the same Microsoft account. Bedrock costs $19.99 USD on Windows, but the price varies on other platforms and in other countries.

Java Edition has more mods and a larger creative community. Bedrock has better performance on lower-end PCs and the ability to play with friends on console or mobile. Neither is objectively better—it depends on what you want to do.

Free Minecraft alternatives that are not official

If you want to play something like Minecraft without paying, there are free games that use similar block-building mechanics. Minetest is an open-source sandbox game that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is free, has a modding community, and plays very similarly to Minecraft Java, but it is less polished and has a smaller player base.

Roblox is free on PC and includes many user-created games with building mechanics, though it is not a direct Minecraft replacement. Terraria is a 2D block-building game that costs $29.99 but goes on sale frequently.

None of these are Minecraft, and none have the same community or content library. But if you want to try block-building games before spending money, they are worth exploring.

How to buy Minecraft if you decide you want it

For Minecraft Java Edition, go to minecraft.net, click "Buy," and follow the checkout process. You need a Microsoft account (free to create). After you pay, you read the launcher, sign in, and the game is yours permanently—no subscription required.

For Minecraft Bedrock Edition on Windows, open the Microsoft Store, search for Minecraft, and click "Buy." The price is usually $19.99 USD, but regional pricing applies. After purchase, you can read and play when ready. Your worlds and progress are tied to your Microsoft account, so if you reinstall Windows or buy a new PC, you can sign in and your worlds are still there.

Both versions occasionally go on sale during major shopping events, though the discounts are usually small (5 to 10 percent off). If you are not in a hurry, watching for a sale can save a few dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Minecraft for free on PC without a trial or subscription?

Not the official versions. The free trial lasts two hours and deletes your world. Education Edition is free but requires a school email. Game Pass includes both versions but is a subscription. If none of those explore to you, you need to buy Java Edition ($26.99) or Bedrock Edition ($19.99 USD).

Is the free trial enough to decide if I like the game?

Two hours is enough to learn the controls and see whether your PC runs it smoothly, but not enough to build anything meaningful. If you are unsure, watch gameplay videos on YouTube first—that takes five minutes and tells you more than the trial will.

If I buy Minecraft Java Edition, can I play with friends on console?

No. Java Edition is PC-only and does not connect to console players. If you want to play with friends on Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch, you need Bedrock Edition. Java Edition players can only play with other Java Edition players on PC.

What happens to my world if my Game Pass subscription expires?

You lose access to both Minecraft versions until you resubscribe. Your worlds are saved to your Microsoft account, so if you resubscribe later, they are still there. But while the subscription is inactive, you cannot play.

Is Minecraft Education Edition the same game as the regular version?

No. Education Edition is designed for classrooms and has different features, like built-in lesson plans and chemistry tools. You cannot play survival mode or creative mode the same way. It is free for schools, but you cannot use it for personal gaming.