If you want an easy way to play Minecraft multiplayer with friends, buying a Realm is definitely worth considering. While pricier and less customizable than self-hosted servers, Realms provide a super simple way to create an always-online world accessible across multiple devices. For most players, the convenience is well worth the monthly cost.
At a Glance – The Key Advantages of Realms
Before diving into the details, here are the biggest reasons to choose a Realm:
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Zero server setup or management – Mojang handles everything behind the scenes
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Built-in multiplayer support – Low latency and seamless connectivity
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Cross-platform access – Play on Android, iOS, Windows, Xbox, VR, etc.
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Automatic updates – Realms always stay up-to-date with the latest Minecraft
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Curated content – Get cool Marketplace packs delivered each month
For a lot of Minecraft players, those features are worth paying a subscription cost to avoid the hassle of running their own server. But there are downsides too. Let‘s take a deeper look at the pros and cons.
The Key Pros of Buying a Minecraft Realm
It‘s incredibly easy to set up
On a scale of 1 to 10 for difficulty, self-hosting Minecraft servers scores a 9, but Realms clock in at a 2. Seriously, Realms are crazy simple to get off the ground. Just select your world settings, invite some friends, and you’re playing together online in minutes. No dealing with port forwarding, DNS, firewalls, IP addresses or any of that networking nonsense.
As the owner, you don’t need to install any server software, mods, or plugins. Mojang handles everything behind the scenes to keep your Realm running 24/7. All you do is create, play, and invite people. For parents setting up a server for kids or beginners trying multiplayer for the first time, this ease-of-use is very appealing!
Multiplayer that “just works”
Ever tried to connect two players on a standard Minecraft LAN world? Usually it lags terribly or disconnects constantly even on a fast network. But Realms run on Mojang’s dedicated global servers for a buttery-smooth multiplayer experience.
Low latency and lag-free chunk loading makes Realms feel like playing single-player even when others are building nearby. Since everything routes through Mojang’s servers instead of direct peer-to-peer, you can easily play with friends around the world. No more connection issues!
Accessible on all your devices
Standard Minecraft multiplayer requires everyone to be on the same platform to connect directly. But your Realm exists online independently so you and your friends can jump in from a phone, tablet, PC, Xbox One, VR headset…anything that supports Minecraft.
Leave your awesome Realm persistently online and anyone can hop on whenever they feel like it from wherever they are. Being able to seamlessly play on both mobile and other platforms is a huge Realm benefit. No more “Hey, I can’t join from my iPad, you started on PC”. Sweet!
Automatic updates keep things fresh
Since Realms are run by Minecraft directly, they get all the latest updates and features added to the game. Whenever there’s a new patch or release, your Realm auto-magically updates too. No more hassling players to manually update or having a Realm stuck on an old version.
This means you always get access to the newest blocks, mobs, dimensions, and mechanics in each Minecraft release. For example, Realms were immediately updated to 1.19 “The Wild Update” to play with frogs, mangroves, and ancient cities right away. No waiting around for a server admin to update.
The included Marketplace content is great
On standard Minecraft servers you need to manually find, install, and configure any addons you want. But all Realms subscriptions come bundled with a rotating selection of 50+ curated content packs from the Minecraft Marketplace.
On the first of each month your Realm updates to include the latest and greatest Marketplace additions like new adventure maps, texture packs, mini games, and mash-up worlds. It’s super fun to check out the new goodies every month – almost like getting DLC delivered automatically!
The Cons of Paying for a Realm
Of course, Realms aren’t perfect. There are some limitations to be aware of:
You only get 10 players max
The standard $7.99/month Realm plan limits you to just 10 concurrent players at once. That may be plenty for playing with a small group of friends. But if you wanted to host a larger community of players, 10 slots won’t suffice. For bigger servers, you’d need to look at partner server hosts or self-hosting.
There is a Realm+ option for up to 2 players at $3.99/month, but again that player count is very restrictive. Bottom line – Realms work best for smaller groups under 10. If you have a huge friends list you want to invite, the max player limitation may be an issue.
Options for customization and plugins are limited
While convenient, Realms don’t offer much control over your server environment. You can’t access the underlying server to install mods, plugins, or datapacks to customize and enhance gameplay. You’re limited to vanilla Minecraft with some included texture/data packs.
For players who want to run mods like Pixelmon or heavily customized modpacks, standard Realms won’t cut it. You’ll need access to the server backend to install those kinds of addons. Another limitation is being stuck on Mojang’s default server config – no tweaking settings like spawn rates, mob caps, etc.
You have to pay a monthly subscription fee
Unlike buying a Minecraft server host where you may only pay once upfront for the server hardware itself, Realms require an ongoing monthly or annual subscription to keep access. At $7.99/month, that adds up to around $96 per year!
If you’re looking for a more permanent long-term server for a group of friends, the nonstop Realm fees can be annoying. Self-hosted options let you pay once for the server and be done. For Realms you’re constantly shelling out a subscription cost. But hey, that’s the price for convenience!
It‘s hosted by Microsoft (some don‘t like that)
A portion of Minecraft players really dislike Microsoft after they acquired Mojang back in 2014. And since Realms are provided directly by Microsoft‘s Azure cloud infrastructure, some server admins choose to avoid Realms as a matter of principle.
They would rather support independent third-party server companies and self-hosting options not tied to Microsoft ownership. For most players this doesn‘t really matter, but it‘s a consideration if you are philosophically opposed to Microsoft‘s stewardship of Minecraft.
Bedrock vs Java Realms – Key Differences
Realms exist for both Bedrock and Java editions, but there are some key differences:
- Bedrock – Cheaper but max 10 players. Supports mobile and console.
- Java – More expensive but unlimited players. PC-only.
Here‘s a quick comparison table:
| Edition | Cost | Max Players | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrock | $7.99/month | 10 | Mobile, console, PC |
| Java | $15.99/month | Unlimited | PC only |
In most cases, Bedrock Realms are the better option since they allow playing with friends across any device. Java Realms cost almost double but don‘t offer any benefit unless you need more than 10 players.
Self-Hosting vs Realms: Key Tradeoffs
So should you just host your own Minecraft server instead of paying for Realms? Here are the key considerations:
Realms
✅ Easy to use
✅ Automatic maintenance
✅ Seamless multiplayer
✅ Marketplace content
❌ Limited control
❌ Monthly cost
❌ Max 10 players
Self-Hosted
✅ Unlimited player slots
✅ Install mods & plugins
✅ One-time payment
❌ Complex setup
❌ Manual updates
❌ Requires technical skills
It mainly comes down to convenience vs control. Realms reduce headaches by offloading server management, but self-hosting offers way more flexibility and customization. If you just want to play vanilla survival with friends, Realms are great. For complex modded servers, self-hosting works better.
Recommendations – When Are Realms Worth Buying?
Based on the pros, cons, and comparisons, here is my take on when buying a Realm is worthwhile:
For new or casual players
If you‘re brand new to Minecraft multiplayer and servers, absolutely start with Realms. They provide the easiest way to get an online world up and running fast. No need to mess with technical complexities – just focus on playing together.
For younger kid servers
Realms are perfect for a parent to quickly set up an online world for their young kids and their friends to play on safely. Kid-friendly, easy to manage, and accessible across devices. Well worth the monthly fee for the convenience.
For groups under 10 players
If your friend group is under 10 people, a standard Minecraft Realm has all the slots you need. Realms really start to shine for smaller friend circles who just want to play survival together online.
For crossover mobile, console, and PC play
One of the best Realm perks is seamless cross-platform support. If you have friends on multiple device types, Realms allow everyone to connect regardless of platform. Great for playing on the go and at home.
For vanilla survival gameplay
Since they don‘t support mods, Realms are best suited to simple, unmodified Minecraft survival multiplayer. They provide a nice lag-free, high performance vanilla experience.
Tips to Maximize Your Realm Experience
Here are my top tips for making the most of your Realm subscription:
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Find players on r/MinecraftBuddies – Recruit members from this subreddit to fill up your empty Realm slots!
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Install add-ons – Customize through officially supported addons like behavior packs and resource packs.
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Create a Discord server – Gives players a way to chat, coordinate meetups, share tips outside the game.
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Download backups often – Periodically save a copy of your Realm world to your device in case you ever lose access.
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Set a code of conduct – Have some basic rules so players respect each other and your creations!
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Rotate featured Marketplace packs – Change up the included content every month to keep things interesting.
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Lower fire spread – Set this Realm option to false to avoid uncontrolled fire damage.
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Use /teleport commands – Teleport to other players to easily find each other and team up.
The Bottom Line – Are Realms Worth Buying?
Let‘s circle back to the core question – should YOU buy a Minecraft Realm subscription?
For most typical players, my opinion is yes, Realms are absolutely worth it for enjoying multiplayer Minecraft with minimal fuss. The barrier to entry is so low compared to running your own server. For casual gameplay with a smaller friend group, Realms hit the sweet spot.
But more advanced players wanting total control, mods/plugins, unlimited slots, and lower long-term cost are better off with a self-managed server option. Realms make compromises in customization and flexibility for the sake of simplicity.
At the end of the day, consider how many people you want to play with, what level of complexity you can handle, and your budget. Weigh the pros and cons for your needs. For most players, Realms deliver an amazing playable multiplayer experience with very little setup or maintenance. Convenient, accessible, and affordable.
So gather your crew of 9 closest friends or family members and go start your own easy Minecraft Realm today! Just be sure to invite me to visit sometimes 😉 Happy mining!
