There are two main versions of Minecraft: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. They look almost the same, and most of the game is the same, but there are real differences in where you can play, how you add content, and even how some things work in the game. Here is everything you should know.
Where you can play
- Java Edition: Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
- Bedrock Edition: Windows, Android, iPhone and iPad, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
If you buy Minecraft on PC today, you get both Java and Bedrock together in one purchase.
Playing with friends
Bedrock's biggest strength is cross-play. A player on a phone, a player on Xbox and a player on PC can all join the same world. Java players can only play with other Java players, unless a server uses a tool like Geyser that lets Bedrock players join. See Buildmatica on Geyser servers for one example of how that works.
Mods and add-ons
- Java has mods, made with loaders like Fabric, Forge and NeoForge. They can change almost anything in the game, and there are tens of thousands of them.
- Bedrock has add-ons: resource packs and behavior packs. They work on phones too, and are easy to install. See how to install add-ons.
- Bedrock also has the Marketplace, an official store with maps, skins, texture packs and add-ons.
Gameplay differences
- Combat: Java has an attack cooldown, so you hit harder if you wait between swings. Bedrock has no cooldown, so fast clicking works.
- Redstone: Java has some special redstone behaviour, like quasi-connectivity, that many technical builds use. Bedrock redstone works a bit differently, so some Java farms and machines do not work on Bedrock.
- Mob farms and spawning: spawning rules are slightly different, so farm designs are often made for one version.
- Seeds: the same seed gives very similar terrain on both versions now, but structures like villages can be in different places.
- Extra features: Java has the F3 debug screen with lots of information. Bedrock has its own extras, like the Marketplace and built-in cross-play.
Performance
Bedrock is written in C++ and usually runs smoothly, even on phones and older computers. Java often needs performance mods like Sodium to run at its best, but on a good PC both versions run well.
Looks
Java players use shaders through mods. Bedrock now has Vibrant Visuals, a built-in graphics mode with real light and shadows, on supported devices.
Which one should you play?
- Want to play with friends on phones and consoles? Bedrock.
- Want big mods and technical redstone? Java.
- Play on PC? You already have both, so try each.
Many Java features, like Litematica, now have Bedrock versions too. For example, Buildmatica brings Litematica style holograms to Bedrock.
