Minecraft Realms for Parents: Setup, Prices and Safety Settings
By Vini Gürk · Editor
Updated Oct 8, 2026 · 4 min read
In this guide
A Minecraft Realm is a private server that Mojang hosts for you, so your child can play with friends you approve instead of strangers on public servers. This guide compares the plans with US prices, walks through setup and invites, and shows the Microsoft settings that control who your child can play and chat with.
Java Realms vs Realms for Bedrock
First check which edition your child plays. A Realm only works with the same edition, and our Java vs Bedrock guide explains the difference.
| Plan | Price (US) | Players at once | Works on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realms (Bedrock) | $3.99 USD/month | You + 2 | Android, iOS, Windows, Amazon Fire, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Chromebook |
| Realms Plus (Bedrock) | $7.99 USD/month | You + 10 | Same as above, plus the Marketplace Pass catalog |
| Realms for Java | $7.99 USD/month | You + 10 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Prices are what Minecraft lists for the US.
Every plan includes three world slots, free backups, a server that stays on 24/7 and invites for up to 10,000 friends. Only the number playing at the same time is limited. New subscribers get a one-month trial, and the subscription then renews automatically at the current monthly price until you cancel. On consoles, online play also needs the platform’s own subscription, which is sold separately.
Realms Plus includes the Marketplace Pass catalog, so a family on Realms Plus does not need a separate Pass. Our Minecoins and Marketplace guide covers what that catalog includes.
How to create a Realm and invite players
Set it up from the parent’s or the child’s account, signed in on the device they play on.
- Open Minecraft and choose Play, then the Realms option for your edition.
- Start the subscription or free trial and give the Realm a name.
- Pick a world: a new one, an existing save or a template.
- To invite by gamertag, open the Realm’s settings, go to Members and add players you know.
- To use a share link on Bedrock, go to Play, Edit, Members, then Share Link, and tap Copy or Share.
- Remove anyone from Members if they shouldn’t be there anymore.
Minecraft notes that anyone with the share link can join. Treat the link like a house key and send it directly to friends’ parents or by private message.
Why a private Realm is safer than a public server
Minecraft describes Realms as “a secure and private server.” The difference for a parent:
- Only invited members can join, and the owner controls the member list.
- Your child plays with a known group instead of thousands of strangers.
- Invited friends play for free even when the owner is offline, so the group doesn’t need to move to a public server.
A Realm doesn’t replace account settings. Chat and multiplayer permissions still come from the Microsoft account, covered next. If your family also plays Roblox, our Roblox parents guide covers the equivalent settings there.
Xbox family settings and Microsoft Family Safety
Minecraft’s help center says only a parent account can change a child account’s social settings, through Xbox settings online or the Xbox Family Settings app.
- Sign in to your parent Microsoft account and choose your child’s profile.
- Under the Online Safety tab, choose whether your child can join multiplayer games, clubs and Realms.
- Under the Privacy tab, find “Others can communicate with voice, text, or invites” and choose Everyone, Friends or Block.
- Check the separate setting for Realm Stories and screenshots, which controls what your child can share and see.
- Have your child sign out of Minecraft and restart the game so the changes apply.
For spending, Microsoft Family Safety can require your approval for purchases made through the Microsoft account. Purchases on a phone, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch go through that platform’s store, so set its parental controls too.
How to check a public server before allowing it
If your child asks to join a public server, check it together first:
- Find the server’s website or listing and read its rules on chat, bullying and language.
- Look for an age guideline and active moderators.
- Check what it asks for. A server should never need your child’s Microsoft password.
- Join together first and watch the chat for a few minutes.
- Check whether it sells items or ranks for real money, and set a spending rule before your child starts.
- Keep the chat setting on Friends if the server seems busy or unmoderated.
Turn down any server that offers “free Minecraft”, modified clients or downloads from anywhere other than the device’s app store or minecraft.net. The Roblox account security guide shows the same account-theft tricks those offers use.
Sources checked October 2026: Minecraft: Realms · Minecraft: Invite using share links · Minecraft Help: Managing child account social settings · Minecraft Help: Bedrock multiplayer servers · Xbox Support: Xbox Family Settings app · Microsoft Support: Spending limits in Family Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much does Minecraft Realms cost?
Minecraft lists Realms for Bedrock at $3.99 USD a month for you plus 2 players at once, Realms Plus at $7.99 USD a month for you plus 10, and Realms for Java at $7.99 USD a month for you plus 10.
Can Java and Bedrock players join the same Realm?
No. A Bedrock Realm works across Bedrock devices, including consoles, phones and Windows. A Java Realm works across Windows, macOS and Linux. Each player needs the same edition as the Realm.
Do invited friends have to pay for the Realm?
No. Minecraft says invited friends play for free, even when the owner is offline. Each friend still needs their own copy of Minecraft, and console players need their platform's online subscription.
Is a Realm safer than a public server?
It is more private. Only people the owner invites can join, and the owner can remove members. A share link lets anyone who has it join, so send it only to people you know.
