Difference Between Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition

Minecraft is undoubtedly one of the most popular sandbox titles developed by Mojang Studios, later acquired by Microsoft. Since its release, the game has been on a successful path with at least a dozen of editions under its portfolio. Today, Minecraft has around 17 editions for the gamers to divulge in. With so many different editions of Minecraft available on many platforms, the oversaturation begets the ultimate question: which edition is right for you? Two such editions with an abundance of similar features are the original Java Edition and the multi-platform Bedrock Edition. However, the Java Edition differs from the Bedrock Edition in a variety of ways.

What is Minecraft: Java Edition?

Minecraft: Java Edition, also referred to as the PC Edition is the original Minecraft edition made for PC only and developed by Mojang Studios. The Java Edition is exclusively available through ‘Minecraft.net’ for $26.95. This is the most open sourced sandbox games for the users that would prefer PC gaming. It provides cross-platform play between Windows, Linux and MacOS, and supports mods and skins, created by the community.

What is Minecraft: Bedrock Edition?

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, also known simply as the Bedrock Edition, is a multi-platform version of Minecraft launched initially for the Google Play’s Xperia PLAY but later expanded support to different platforms including a lot of console editions, the iOS and Android versions, and the Windows 10 version. One of the best features in the Bedrock Edition is the Minecraft Marketplace which allows players to buy a lot of things such as Maps, Worlds, Resource Packs, etc. to enhance the overall game experience.

Difference between Minecraft Java and Bedrock

Basics

 – The Minecraft: Java Edition is the original version of Minecraft originally referred to as the PC Edition and was available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. This is born from the original Minecraft and is the most open sourced option for the users that prefer PC gaming. The Java Edition is exclusively available through ‘Minecraft.net’ or retailer gift cards. The Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, or simply known as the Bedrock Edition, is the multi-platform family of edition of Minecraft launched initially for the Google Play’s Xperia PLAY but later expanded support to different consoles along with iOS and Android versions, and the Windows 10 version.

Mods 

– The first noticeable difference between the two versions is the support for mods. There are almost as many types of mods as there are mods themselves, and there are thousands of them available to install for the Java Edition. In fact, there are tons of mod packs which mash up hundreds of thousands of mods together which have been put up by players and mod creators in curated packages. Most of the mods fit into the categories of utility mods, small mods, big mods, full conversion mods, and mudpacks. On the Bedrock Edition, there really are no mods; instead, it has behavior packs and resource packs.

Marketplace 

– The Bedrock Edition has the Minecraft Marketplace, also known as the Marketplace Store, which allows players to make in-app purchases for coins which in turn, can be used to buy a lot of things such as Resource Packs, Maps, Skins, Worlds, and Texture Packs created by the Community. The coins are the official in-game currency for the Marketplace. The Minecraft Marketplace is not available in the Java Edition. Instead, the Java Edition has Mini Maps, Resource Packs, and other Community-driven things that are completely free.

Add-ons 

– In Minecraft, players not only make a variety of devices and buildings but entire cities and worlds. And bringing greater levels of customization to the different editions of Minecraft are the many add-ons which are the tools to change the world around you. The Bedrock Edition provides different add-ons to enhance your game such as the Behavior Packs and Resource Packs which allow you to change the way everything looks and behaves to the very last detail. You can change the rules and the mechanics of the game using the add-ons. The Java Edition does not have add-ons; instead, it has mods.

Crossplay

 – One of the key features in the Bedrock Edition is the crossplay support which enables cross-platform play meaning players can team up and can play together with players across all platforms, including Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC and mobile. All you have to do is to go to Xbox.com and create a free Xbox LIVE account, which is absolutely a painless process. Then you can add each other as friends and one of you has to start a game while others can join the game. The Java Edition, on the other hand, only have the crossplay feature between Windows, Linux and MacOS.

Minecraft Java vs. Bedrock Edition: Comparison Chart

Summary

While both the editions have a lot in common, the Java Edition differs from the Bedrock Edition in a variety of ways. For one, Jave Edition has mods while Bedrock Edition cannot. However, unlike Java, Bedrock has add-ons which allow different levels of customization to enhance the game experience. The Java Edition also has some performance issues whereas Bedrock is optimized to run on just anything. Plus, Bedrock includes a lot of console editions, the iOS and Android versions, and the Windows 10 version. The Java Edition is only available for Windows, MacOS and Linux.

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