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What is the Difference Between Minecraft Realm and Server?
A complete, in-depth guide to help you choose between Minecraft Realms and Minecraft Servers.
Introduction
Minecraft offers two major ways to play multiplayer: Minecraft Realms and Minecraft Servers. Many players get confused about which one is better, easier, cheaper, or more powerful. This blog explains every difference in detail so you can choose the best option for your gameplay style.
What Are Minecraft Realms?
Minecraft Realms is an official subscription-based hosting service by Mojang. It’s simple, clean, and made for casual players who want a private space to play with friends without technical setup.
What Are Minecraft Servers?
Minecraft Servers are fully customizable multiplayer worlds hosted on third-party hosting or your own machine. They support plugins, mods, expansions, minigames, SMP networks, and large communities.
✅ Realms: Simple & User-Friendly
Perfect for beginners and small friend groups who want a quick and easy world setup.
✅ Servers: Full Customization
Unlimited possibilities, modding options, plugins, and admin control.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Minecraft Realms | Minecraft Servers |
|---|---|---|
| Player Limit | 10 Players | Unlimited (depends on server resources) |
| Plugins / Mods | No support | Full plugin & mod support |
| Customization | Very limited | Full control & customization |
| Price | Fixed monthly plan | Cheaper, scalable hosting |
| Setup Difficulty | Very easy | Requires some setup |
| Performance | Basic | High performance (choose RAM/CPU) |
Pros & Cons
✅ Minecraft Realms Pros
- Simple and user-friendly
- No setup required
- Reliable official hosting
- Perfect for small friend groups
❌ Minecraft Realms Cons
- No modding or plugins
- Player limit capped at 10
- More expensive long-term
- Limited world settings
✅ Minecraft Server Pros
- Unlimited players
- Supports plugins & mods
- Highly customizable
- More powerful performance
- Expandable for communities
❌ Minecraft Server Cons
- Requires technical setup
- Needs occasional maintenance
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Minecraft Realms if: You want a quick, simple multiplayer world for 2–10 friends.
Choose Minecraft Servers if: You want plugins, mods, large SMPs, higher control, and expandable gameplay.
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