You do not need to pay to play Minecraft with friends. There are several free ways to do it, and the best one depends on where your friends are and what devices they use. Here is each option, with the good and bad sides.
1. Join as friends (Bedrock)
The simplest way on Bedrock. Open your world, make sure Multiplayer is on in the world settings, and your Xbox friends can join from the Friends tab. It works across phones, PCs and consoles.
- Good: no setup, free, cross-play.
- Bad: friends can only play while you are in the world.
2. LAN: same Wi-Fi
If everyone is on the same Wi-Fi network, open your world and others see it in the Friends tab under LAN games. On Java, open the pause menu and choose Open to LAN.
- Good: fast, free, no internet needed beyond the local network.
- Bad: only works for people in the same place.
3. Free hosting with Aternos
A real server with its own address, for free. Friends can join from anywhere. See how to make a free server with Aternos.
- Good: free, works for Java and Bedrock, plugins and mods.
- Bad: not always online, and there can be a queue to start it.
4. Run a server on your own PC
Mojang gives out the official Bedrock Dedicated Server software, and the Java server software, for free on minecraft.net. You can run it on your own computer.
- Good: full control, no ads, no queue.
- Bad: your PC must stay on, and friends outside your home need port forwarding on your router, which can be tricky and has some security risk.
5. Realms (paid, but simple)
Realms is Mojang's own server service. It costs a monthly fee, but it is always online and very easy to use, and it works on consoles too. It is a great option for families or groups who want no setup at all.
6. Public servers
If you just want to play with lots of people, there are many free public servers with minigames and survival worlds. On Bedrock, the featured servers are listed right in the Servers tab.
Which one should you pick?
- Playing with a friend right now? Join as friends.
- Same house? LAN.
- Want a world friends can play on even without you, for free? Aternos.
- Want it always on with no hassle? Realms.
