Maybe you wanted to buy Minecraft just for you or your kids, but instead, you found yourself asking the same question repeatedly: which one, Java Edition or Bedrock Edition? For years, this has been a confusing debate for players and parents alike. Now with both versions still available, this debate won’t disappear any time soon. We dissect the differences between the two editions so that you can decide which one suits your way of playing or the calmness of your family best.
What about talking platforms first? Java edition, being the first one, is the one available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The best choice for PC purists or people who are crazy about customizing their game. Meanwhile, Bedrock edition is the most adaptable version, as it can be used on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, and even Windows Mobile. So, you desire to play on a console, tablet, or phone, or if you have a household of different devices, then Bedrock is the way to go. From June 2022, anyone who purchases Minecraft for Windows PC can access both editions, which makes it very convenient to have a go at both.
After that, let’s have a word about mods and customization. The Java edition is the place where inventiveness goes limitless. The modification environment is huge; it has everything from new worlds and creatures to complete game overhauls. The majority of mods are free, but one may need a little technical knowledge for the installation process. Whereas the Bedrock edition keeps things uncomplicated. Its add-ons are from the official Minecraft Marketplace, where everything is selected and simple to install, although some may be priced. If you are a fan of experimenting and fiddling with your game, then Java is the right place. On the other hand, if you are looking for something safer and a more comfortable type of player, like kids, then Bedrock is a good option.
When we talk about multiplayer, both versions are good, but in very different ways. With the Java Edition, you can be part of literally hundreds of third-party servers that have twisted the gameplay in creative ways. The Bedrock Edition, on the other hand, features its own set of servers and allows you to play with friends from different devices, given that you have a Microsoft account. Nevertheless, Java and Bedrock players cannot interact as one. Although there are some unofficial tools like GeyserMC that try to link the two, they are not always stable. The safest advice to follow is to use the version that your friends have; otherwise, you will end up mining alone.
The way the games work and how they feel to the user are different as well. Even though both versions can be played with a keyboard and mouse, only Bedrock has direct controller support; thus, it is best for console and mobile users. Users of Java can also operate a controller, but this third-party setup is necessary. At the same time, Bedrock offers touch control support, so if you are a fan of the game on your phone or tablet, then this is the undisputed winner.
Paranoid about your kids? Then parental controls can be your holy grail. An advantage for parents in the Bedrock Edition is that it is connected with Xbox Live, from where they get access to privacy tools, safety settings, and options for controlling how their own kids interact. However, the Java Edition is a step behind in this respect, as you have to do everything manually, for example, server access. So, if your preference is to have in-built safety features plus being able to easily control online play, then Bedrock is the winner here.
Updates and previews are a little bit different in the two versions. One of the features of the Java edition is that it provides “snapshots”, which are basically very early versions of new features that are available for trying. “Previews” and “Betas” are the features of the Bedrock edition that one can access only via different apps or the Google Play Store. Both versions allow users to try the new content before the official release, but with Jav, you have more options, for example, the ability to go back to previous versions.
One more important difference between the versions is their performance and graphics. The hardware might suffer if Java Edition is chosen – the game is not always very kind to older PCs. Bedrock, on the contrary, is powered by a more up-to-date engine and thus it is capable of performing smoothly on even low-end smartphones. In case you want to have the game looking at its best with all those fancy shaders, then go for Java. Alternatively, if what you care about the most is the smoothness of gameplay, then Bedrock is the one for you.
Last, but not least, we have content and customization. The Marketplace of Bedrock presents easily accessible and user-friendly content such as skins, maps, and adventures. The Java Edition depends on fans to provide content from various places on the Internet, which means more creativity and freedom, but also more risk. What a relief for parents to have a curated store like Bedrock’s; experienced players, however, find it hard to resist the limitless modding scene of Java.
The choice between Java and Bedrock is not a matter of which one is “better”. It just depends on what type of player you are. Creative builder? Modding fanatic? A parent helping kids? In any case, knowing the strong points of each edition can do the trick and also save some creepy surprises from happening to you.