Java or Bedrock? Pick a Minecraft server for your group
Updated 24 October 2026 · 3 minute read · Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock · By Exclsv Support
For a mixed group, choose Minecraft Java and turn on Bedrock joining: PC players use Java, and friends on phones, tablets and Windows join the same world. A Bedrock server can’t take Java players.
Who plays which
- Minecraft Java runs on PC and Mac, with plugins, mods and modpacks.
- Minecraft Bedrock runs on phones, tablets, Windows and consoles.
A mixed group
Choose Minecraft Java on Paper or Fabric and turn on Bedrock players in HQ’s Mods tab. HQ installs Geyser and Floodgate and opens a second port, so phone, tablet and Windows players join with the address and Bedrock port from HQ. They can’t see blocks or items that mods add, so this suits plugin servers best.
Consoles
Consoles (Switch, Xbox and PlayStation) can’t type a server address, and we don’t offer joining through the friends list. So console players can’t join our Minecraft servers. If your group is mostly on consoles, a Minecraft Realm is the better choice.
When Bedrock is the right choice
If everyone plays on phones, tablets or Windows, a Bedrock server is lighter and cheaper for the same group, and it takes add-ons. Both are sized by memory.
| Memory | Suits | Price a month |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | About 10 players | £4.99 |
| 4 GB | About 30 players | £8.99 |
| 6 GB | Add-ons and larger worlds | £12.99 |
| 8 GB | Busy public servers | £16.99 |
| 12 GB | Heavy add-on packs and big public servers | £24.99 |
Minecraft Bedrock plans and what each includes
If it doesn’t work
Bedrock players see “Unable to connect to world”
Check they used the Bedrock port shown in HQ, not the Java port. If they did, open Health on your server’s Overview in HQ and choose Check now.
Run this on Exclsv: Minecraft Java server hosting, from £4.99 a month