How to play Minecraft with friends: every option, free or not
16 October 2026 · 3 min read
Minecraft can be played together in five ways. The right choice depends on three questions: are you on Java or Bedrock, are you playing in the same house or from afar, and must the world stay open when whoever hosts it isn't there?
The five ways in one table
| Way | Edition | Remote | Open without the host | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local network | Java and Bedrock | no | no | free |
| Invite friends into your world | Bedrock, Java with a mod | yes | no | free |
| Realms | Java or Bedrock | yes | yes | subscription |
| Your own server | Java and Bedrock | yes | yes | free to a few euros |
| A public server | Java and Bedrock | yes | yes | free |
In the same house: the local network
On Java, open your world, press Esc, then Open to LAN. Choose the game mode, allow commands or not, then start the LAN world. On the other computers in the house, it shows up under Multiplayer.
On Bedrock, the setting that makes the world visible to LAN players is on by default, in the world's multiplayer settings. Other devices see it in the Friends tab.
You need to be on the same network, the same router, and have the same game version.
From afar: invite friends into your world
On Bedrock, it's built in: add your friends with their Microsoft account, open your world and invite them from the pause menu. They join from the Friends tab, on any Bedrock device, consoles included.
On Java, the game can't do it alone. Free mods such as Essential or e4mc open your world to your friends remotely, without changing anything on your router.
In both cases, the world only exists while the host is playing: when they leave, everyone is disconnected.
Realms: the official subscription server
Realms is a small server hosted by Mojang, always on, that only your guests can join. Automatic backups, no setup: it's the simplest solution for a group of friends. The trade-offs: a monthly subscription, around ten players online at once depending on the plan, and no plugins. The guide Minecraft Realms or a server compares the two in detail.
Your own server
A server of your own, at home or with a host: you choose the plugins, the mods, the rules and the number of players. It's free if you host it on your computer, and costs a few euros a month with a host.
- To get started: How to create a Minecraft server.
- Without paying anything: Host a Minecraft server for free.
- To welcome both Java and Bedrock: Geyser and Floodgate.
A public server, together
The simplest way to get people, events and a staff that handles everything: join a public server as a group. Most let you found a team, a town or a shared island. Pick a mode that's played in groups, semi-RP, factions, team skyblock or BedWars, in the server ranking, or let the Find your server quiz choose for you. If some of your friends play on phones or consoles, pick one of the servers open to Bedrock.
Java and Bedrock together?
One friend on PC with Java, another on Switch: LAN, invites and Realms don't mix the two editions. You need a Java server running Geyser: your own, or a public server open to Bedrock.