Playing Minecraft Online with Friends
Minecraft is always better with friends. Whether you want to survive together, build epic creations, or compete in minigames, there are plenty of ways to play together online.
Option 1: Join a Public Server Together
The easiest way to play with friends — just pick a server and join.
- 1Browse servers on Best Minecraft Server List
- 2Find one that matches your preferred gamemode
- 3Share the server IP with your friends
- 4Everyone connects independently — you're on the same server!
Pros: Free, huge variety, established communities
Cons: Other players around, server rules to follow
Option 2: Minecraft Realms
Realms is Mojang's official hosting service — a private server that's always online.
- Java Realms: Up to 10 players, $7.99/month
- Bedrock Realms: Up to 10 players, $7.99/month
- Bedrock Realms Plus: Includes marketplace content, $9.99/month
Pros: Easy setup, always online, Mojang-hosted
Cons: Monthly cost, limited customization, no mods
Option 3: Host Your Own Server
For full control, host a Minecraft server yourself.
Requirements
- A computer (or VPS) with at least 4GB RAM
- Stable internet connection with port forwarding ability
- Java installed (for Java Edition servers)
Quick Setup
- 1Download the Minecraft server jar from Mojang
- 2Run it once to generate config files
- 3Edit
server.propertiesto configure your world - 4Port forward port 25565 on your router
- 5Share your public IP with friends
Pros: Full control, free, mods and plugins
Cons: Technical setup, your PC must stay on
Option 4: Server Hosting Providers
Rent a server from a hosting company for a few dollars per month.
Popular Hosts
- Budget options start around $3-5/month for 2GB RAM
- Most offer one-click modpack installation
- Control panels make management easy
Pros: Always online, no port forwarding, easy management
Cons: Monthly cost (but cheaper than Realms)
Crossplay: Java + Bedrock Together
Thanks to plugins like GeyserMC, some servers allow Java and Bedrock players to play together. Look for servers tagged with "Crossplay" on BMCSL.
How GeyserMC Works
- Bedrock players connect to a special port (usually 19132)
- The plugin translates Bedrock packets to Java format
- Both editions play on the same world simultaneously
Playing Together Tips
- Use voice chat — Discord or the in-game Simple Voice Chat mod
- Set a meeting point — Coordinate spawns or build a shared base
- Share resources — Survival together means sharing materials
- Respect playstyles — Some friends like building, others like farming. That's OK!
Find Servers to Play With Friends
Browse all Minecraft servers and find the perfect server for your group. Filter by gamemode, player count, and platform to find your ideal match.