Get ready to build an epic virtual world to call your own! Whether you want to construct kingdoms with friends or go solo in survival mode, Minecraft gives you the creative freedom to shape your own adventure. Now you just have to decide how you want to access the blocky paradise. Do you opt for the simplicity of Realms or the customization of server hosting?

You, intrepid explorer, stand at the gates of infinite possibilities. Will you choose the path of least resistance into the welcoming arms of Realms? Or will you blaze a trail into the wilderness, forging your own destiny with a server host? The choice is yours! This guide will outline the key differences between Minecraft Realms and server hosting to help you embark on your quest for blocky bliss. Adventure awaits, so grab your pickaxe and let’s get mining!

What Is Minecraft Realms?

If you're looking for an easy way to play multiplayer Minecraft with friends, Minecraft Realms is for you! Realms are personal servers run by Mojang that let you create your own private world to invite friends to.

What Is Minecraft Realms?

Minecraft Realms is a subscription-based service where Mojang handles setting up and maintaining the server for you. All you have to do is pay a monthly fee, create your world, and invite up to 11 friends to join! Realms servers are always online, so your friends can hop on and play even when you're not.

Realms gives you total control over your world. You get to pick what type of world it is, whether survival, creative or adventure. You also get to choose who can join, and you can add or remove players at any time. Realms saves your world automatically and backs up your most recent changes, so you never have to worry about losing anything if there's a connection issue.

If playing on public servers with strangers isn't your thing and you want an easy, kid-friendly way to play with friends, Realms is the perfect solution. For a few dollars a month, you get your very own multiplayer world where you make the rules. You can build, explore, battle mobs and go on adventures with your closest friends anytime you want! Overall, Minecraft Realms provides a safe, fun way for you and your friends to play together online. The convenience and total control it offers over your own private Minecraft world for an affordable price each month is truly unmatched.

What Is Server Hosting for Minecraft?

Are you ready to take your Minecraft experience to the next level? Minecraft Server hosting unlocks a whole new world of possibilities. With your own server, you're in control - you can customise everything to your heart's content!

Unlimited Creativity

The sky's the limit with server hosting. Want to build an exact replica of your neighbourhood or favourite movie scene? Go for it! Fancy setting up a Hunger Games arena or transforming your world into a winter wonderland? With server hosting, you have the freedom to build whatever you dream up.

Play With Friends

Tired of being alone in your Minecraft world? With a hosted server, you and your friends can play together whenever you want. Build, explore, battle - the adventures are endless when you have your own server. Many hosts even offer tools to help you manage multiple players and set up mini-games.

Advanced Features

GTXGaming's Minecraft server hosting offer loads of useful features. Things like:

• 24-hour support in case you get stuck
• The ability to install modpacks and plugins to enhance your gameplay
• Multiple server locations so you and your friends can play with a fast, lag-free connection
• Scheduled backups to recover your world in case of griefing or corruption

The verdict? If you want maximum control, creativity and community in Minecraft, server hosting is absolutely the way to go. Your own little paradise awaits! What are you waiting for?

Key Differences Between Realms and Server Hosting

So you want to start your own Minecraft world, but can’t decide between Realms or a private server. Both offer unique benefits for players seeking their own space in Minecraft. Let’s explore some of the key differences to help determine what’s right for you!

Flexibility and Control

Do you want full control over every aspect of your world? A private server is the way to go. You can customise everything from gameplay to plugins to world settings. Realms offers a stripped-down vanilla experience with limited options for configuration. For players wanting an easy setup and not interested in technical details, Realms does the trick.

Access and Community

Realms worlds are invite-only, ideal if you just want to play with close friends. Servers are open to anyone with the address, perfect for building a large community. You can even add mini-games, PvP arenas, and other features to attract players.

Reliability and Maintenance

Don’t want to deal with technical issues? Realms handles all the backend work so you can just play. Servers require managing your own host or server provider, software updates, bug fixes, and other tasks. While more work, you have full control over server performance and reliability.

Cost

Realms will cost you £6.69/month for up to 10 players. Servers vary in cost depending on hosting plan and specs. At GTXGaming a Minecraft server start at £7.50/month for a private server.

Whether you want a simple space to play with friends or an open platform to build a community, Minecraft Realms and private servers each offer unique benefits. Choose what’s right for your needs and budget, then get exploring! The Minecraft world is your oyster.

Pros and Cons of Minecraft Realms

Pros of Minecraft Realms

With Minecraft Realms, you get an easy-peasy setup and hassle-free hosting! All you need to do is choose a subscription plan, pick a world type, and invite your friends. Realms handles the server maintenance and automatic updates for you so you can focus on building with your buddies.

Another massive plus is Realms’ simplicity. The user-friendly interface makes it a cinch to upload your own worlds or start a new one from scratch. You don’t need any technical know-how to get a Realm up and running. Everything from player invites to world backups is just a few clicks away. For new players or younger users, Realms’ straightforwardness can’t be beaten.

On the topic of backups, Realms has got you covered. Your world is automatically backed up every hour so you never have to worry about losing any of your hard work or precious builds. If anything goes awry, you can easily roll back to a previous backup with no hassle.

Most importantly, Realms allows cross-play between platforms. Whether you play on mobile, console or PC, you can join a Realm with friends on any device. There’s no better way to team up with Minecrafters across platforms.

Cons of Minecraft Realms

The biggest downside is Realms’ cost. Subscriptions start at £6.69/month for up to 10 players which can get pricey, especially if you want to scale up to more users. Some players may find the additional fees off-putting.

You’re also limited to vanilla Minecraft worlds. If you want to use mods, texture packs or command blocks, Realms doesn't support them through a traditonal approach, but never fear there is away! See, our article on 'Realms Mods', which will walk your through a step by step process of how to setup mods in Minecraft Realms.

Overall, for casual players, beginners or those on a budget, Realms is an excellent choice for playing with friends across platforms in a safe, easy environment. While more serious players may find Realms too limiting, for simple multiplayer fun, you can’t go wrong with a Realm!

Pros and Cons of Server Hosting for Minecraft

Hosting your own Minecraft server is an exciting adventure! You have total control and freedom to shape the world however you like. No rules, no limits - it's your creation. How cool is that?

Full Control

Want to add mods, plugins or custom commands? Go for it! Feel like changing the difficulty or spawn rates? You're the boss! Hosting yourself means you call the shots. Design any world type you can imagine, from epic mountain ranges to lush jungles. The possibilities are endless!

Join Anytime

There's no waiting to join your own server. Just fire it up and jump right in whenever the gaming mood strikes. Play for 10 minutes or 10 hours - you set the schedule. Your friends can join at a moment's notice too for spontaneous adventures together in your blocky paradise!

Downsides

Hosting your own Minecraft server lets you shape the game into whatever you want it to be. Take control, save money and play anytime with your friends. While it does take work, the freedom and fun are unbeatable. So what are you waiting for? Unleash your creativity and start crafting your perfect world today!

Conclusion

You've explored the options - now it's time to make a choice and start building your perfect Minecraft world. Whether you go for the simplicity and convenience of Realms or the customisation and control of a server host, adventure awaits. Imagine the places you'll go and the wonders you'll create. Who knows what mysteries lie over the next blocky hill or what treasures hide in the depths below. The only limit is your imagination. So don't wait any longer - pick your platform, gather your friends and let the block-placing commence. A whole new world of possibilities is just a click away. The Minecraft universe is yours to explore! What are you waiting for - there are cubes to collect and creepers to battle. Your next epic build starts now!