Minecraft on PC costs money, but there are ways to play for free

Minecraft Java Edition costs $26.99 USD on the official launcher. Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the Windows version) costs $19.99 USD or comes free with Xbox Game Pass for PC. Neither version is free to own outright, but you can play without paying by using the free demo, joining a friend's world, or playing on a server someone else hosts.

The free demo lets you play for 100 in-game days (about 33 hours of real time) in a single world before the game locks you out. After that, you either buy the full version or start over in a new demo world. This is the most straightforward way to try Minecraft without spending money.

Key Takeaways

  • The Minecraft Java Edition demo is free and playable for 100 in-game days in one world, then you must buy the full version or restart.
  • Minecraft Bedrock Edition (Windows) is free with Xbox Game Pass for PC, which costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
  • You can play on multiplayer servers hosted by other players without owning a copy, though the server owner must have purchased the game.
  • Realms is Minecraft's official multiplayer service and costs $7.99 per month, but you can join someone else's Realm for free if they invite you.

The free demo and how long it lasts

When you read Minecraft Java Edition from the official launcher, you get a free demo by default. The demo world is a Creative mode and Survival mode sandbox that runs for exactly 100 in-game days. One in-game day equals 20 real-world minutes, so the full 100 days equals roughly 33 hours of gameplay before the world locks.

After 100 days, the world becomes read-only. You cannot break blocks, place blocks, or make any changes. You can still walk around and look at what you built, but you cannot continue playing. At that point, you must either buy Java Edition or delete the world and start a new demo.

The demo includes both Survival and Creative modes, so you can test both ways of playing. You can also change the difficulty, turn on cheats, and adjust other settings just like in the full version.

Playing on multiplayer servers without owning the game

If a friend or family member owns Minecraft Java Edition, they can host a multiplayer world or run a server, and you can join for free using their server address. You do not need to own a copy to connect to someone else's server—only the person running the server needs to have purchased the game.

This works through the multiplayer menu in the game launcher. Your friend gives you the server IP address or domain name, you enter it in the "Add Server" field, and you connect. As long as the server is running and you have the same version of Java Edition installed, you can play together without paying.

Public servers also exist—thousands of them—hosted by communities and organizations. Many are free to join. You can find server lists on websites like Planet Minecraft or the official Minecraft launcher's server browser. Some public servers have cosmetic purchases or perks you can buy, but joining and playing the core game is free.

Xbox Game Pass for PC includes Minecraft Bedrock

Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the Windows version) is included free with Xbox Game Pass for PC. Game Pass costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and includes hundreds of other games. If you already subscribe to Game Pass, Minecraft is already available to you at no extra cost.

Bedrock Edition is the same game as the version on consoles and mobile devices. It has crossplay, meaning you can play with friends on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or mobile. The Java Edition does not have crossplay—it is PC-only.

If you do not want to pay for Game Pass, Bedrock Edition itself costs $19.99 as a one-time purchase from the Microsoft Store. This is cheaper than Java Edition but does not include the other Game Pass games.

Realms and how to play multiplayer for free

Realms is Minecraft's official multiplayer service. The owner of a Realm pays $7.99 per month to keep it running, but anyone invited to that Realm can play for free. If you know someone with an active Realm, you can ask them to invite you and play without paying anything yourself.

Realms works on both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, though they are separate services with separate subscriptions. A Java Realm and a Bedrock Realm are not the same thing, and you cannot play between them.

Realms is simpler to set up than a private server because Microsoft handles all the hosting and technical work. You do not need to keep your computer running or manage server files. The downside is that only the Realm owner can customize the world deeply—invited players can build and explore, but cannot install mods or change core settings.

Mods and free alternatives to official Minecraft

If you own Minecraft Java Edition, you can install mods for free using launchers like MultiMC or the Fabric Loader. Mods add new blocks, creatures, mechanics, and entire new worlds to the game. Many popular mods are completely free and made by volunteers.

There are also free games inspired by Minecraft that you can play without owning Minecraft itself. Minetest is an open-source sandbox game very similar to Minecraft and costs nothing. Terasology is another free alternative. These games lack some of Minecraft's polish and features, but they are fully playable and cost zero dollars.

What you need to know about free-to-play claims

Some websites claim Minecraft is free or offer "free downloads" of Minecraft. These are either scams, pirated versions, or misleading ads. The only legitimate free ways to play are the official demo, joining someone else's server or Realm, or using Game Pass.

Downloading Minecraft from anywhere except the official launcher, the Microsoft Store, or the Java Edition website risks malware, viruses, or account theft. Pirated versions do not receive updates and may not work correctly. Stick to official sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Minecraft Java Edition for free forever?

No. The free demo lasts 100 in-game days (about 33 hours), then the world locks. You can start a new demo world, but you cannot keep playing the same world without buying the full version. Joining a friend's server is the only way to play Java Edition indefinitely for free.

Is Minecraft Bedrock free on Windows?

Minecraft Bedrock is free if you have Xbox Game Pass for PC ($9.99 per month). Otherwise, it costs $19.99 to buy outright. It is not free on its own, but Game Pass includes it along with hundreds of other games.

Do I need to buy Minecraft to play on a server?

No. You can join any multiplayer server or Realm that someone else owns or hosts without owning a copy yourself. Only the server owner needs to have purchased the game. You do need to have the game launcher installed and the correct version of Minecraft to connect.

What is the difference between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition?

Java Edition is PC-only and has mods, but no crossplay. Bedrock Edition works on Windows, consoles, and mobile, and has crossplay, but fewer mods. Java costs $26.99; Bedrock costs $19.99 or is free with Game Pass. Both have the same core gameplay.

Can I play Minecraft on my phone for free?

Minecraft Pocket Edition (mobile) costs $6.99 on iOS and Android. There is no free demo on mobile. Your best option is to play on a friend's server using the mobile version if you own it, or try one of the free alternatives like Minetest on Android.