Java vs Bedrock: which server should you run?
Updated September 2026 · Your players' devices decide most of it. Plugins, mods and crossplay decide the rest.
The short answer
- Everyone on PC or Mac — Java. More plugins, mods and server software.
- Everyone on console, phone or tablet — Bedrock.
- Mixed group — a Java server with Geyser and Floodgate, so Bedrock players can join too.
Who plays on which edition
| Edition | Devices |
|---|---|
| Java | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Bedrock | Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, iOS, Android, Windows (Microsoft Store version) |
Both editions come with the PC version of Minecraft today, so PC players can usually choose. Console and mobile players can only use Bedrock.
What the server can do
| Java server | Bedrock server | |
|---|---|---|
| Server software | Vanilla, Paper, Spigot, Purpur, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge | Official Bedrock Dedicated Server; third-party alternatives exist |
| Plugins | Thousands (Paper, Spigot) | Limited, depends on third-party software |
| Mods and modpacks | Yes — CurseForge, Modrinth | Add-ons (behaviour and resource packs) |
| Networks with several servers | Yes, with Velocity or BungeeCord | Possible, less common |
| Default port | 25565 TCP | 19132 UDP |
| Custom domain via SRV | Yes | No, address plus port |
If you want permissions, economy, land claims, minigames or any modpack, that points to Java.
Gameplay differences that matter on a server
- Combat: Java has the attack cooldown since 1.9; Bedrock plays closer to the old click-fast combat. PvP servers usually pick one side.
- Redstone: some contraptions work differently. Designs from tutorials often only work on the edition they were built for.
- Commands: most are the same, with differences in details and syntax.
- Worlds are not compatible directly. Moving a world between editions needs a conversion tool, and results vary.
Performance
A Java server with Paper is well optimised and well understood. Tuning is documented in detail: startup flags, view distance, profilers like spark. See Aikar’s flags and JVM settings.
The official Bedrock server usually needs less RAM for the same number of players, but has far fewer tuning options and no plugin ecosystem to fix problems.
Crossplay: the best of both
A Java server running Geyser and Floodgate lets Bedrock players join the same world:
- Java players join normally on the Java port.
- Bedrock players join with the same address on the Bedrock port.
- Bedrock players do not need to own Java Edition.
- You keep the full Java plugin ecosystem.
Limits: Bedrock players cannot join Forge or NeoForge modpack servers, some items and blocks look slightly different, and console players need a workaround to add a custom server. Setup is in crossplay with Geyser and Floodgate.
Which one to pick
Pick Java if:
- Everyone plays on PC or Mac.
- You want plugins or a modpack.
- You plan to grow into a community with ranks, claims or minigames.
Pick Bedrock if:
- Everyone plays on console, phone or tablet.
- You want vanilla survival or Bedrock add-ons.
- Nobody wants to deal with plugins.
Pick Java with crossplay if:
- Some friends play on PC, some on console or phone.
- You want plugins but also want Bedrock players.
RAM by edition
Bedrock and plain vanilla Java run on small plans with a few friends. Crossplay adds a bit on top of Java for Geyser. Modpacks need the most. Our configurator presets start at 2 GB for Bedrock only and vanilla with friends, 3 GB for crossplay and 6 GB for modpacks, and grow with the number of players — the full reasoning is in how much RAM a Minecraft server needs.
Can I switch later?
From Bedrock to Java means converting the world, which is not always clean. From Java to Java with crossplay is easy: add Geyser and Floodgate to your Paper server. That is why a Java server is the more flexible start if you are unsure.