Minecraft Bedrock Edition: crossplay, Marketplace and every platform
Bedrock Edition is the version of Minecraft that puts players on PC, consoles and phones into one network. It's written in C++ (instead of Java) and gives you better performance, crossplay between platforms and a Marketplace with official add-ons.
What is Bedrock Edition?
Minecraft Bedrock Edition (officially just "Minecraft") is the multi-platform version of the game, written in C++. It started out as Minecraft Pocket Edition for phones (2011) and over time spread to Windows 10, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
The name "Bedrock" comes from the game's engine, the Bedrock Engine. In 2017 Mojang brought all the C++ versions together under a single name, "Minecraft" (and officially renamed the Java version "Java Edition"). In practice the community still says "Bedrock" and "Java", and so do we.
Bedrock Edition has the same biomes, mobs, blocks and mechanics as Java Edition. Both versions get the same content updates (although release dates can differ slightly). The key difference isn't the content but the platform, the performance and the ecosystem.
Platforms and crossplay
Bedrock Edition runs on 9 platforms:
- Windows 10/11: through the Microsoft Store or the Minecraft Launcher
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch
- iOS (iPhone, iPad)
- Android
- Amazon Fire (Fire tablets)
The main advantage: crossplay across all platforms. A player on Switch can join the same world as players on PS5, PC and a phone. All it takes is a Microsoft account for each player and adding each other as friends.
Crossplay works in Survival and Creative, on Realms and on Bedrock servers. The only catch: PlayStation requires PlayStation Plus for online play.
If you like to play on the go, Minecraft on Nintendo Switch in 2026 lets you play on your TV and on the move, with full crossplay and access to the Marketplace. Since October 27, 2026 there's also a native Nintendo Switch 2 version (release announcement). How to claim it at no extra cost and what each edition costs is covered on our Minecraft on Switch 2 page.
Marketplace and Minecoins
The Minecraft Marketplace is the official content store, available only in Bedrock Edition. It offers:
- Maps: adventure, parkour, minigames, escape rooms
- Skin packs: themed sets (e.g. Star Wars, Sonic, original series)
- Texture packs: change how blocks, tools and the interface look
- Mashup packs: complete makeovers with a map, skins and textures
The currency is Minecoins, which you buy with real money: the base price of the smallest pack is $1.99 USD for 320 Minecoins before taxes, and your platform's store sets the local price (as of October 2026). Since October 27, 2026, Minecoins bought on Switch only work on Nintendo consoles (rule change). An average map costs 500-1,000 Minecoins and a skin pack 300-600. Some Marketplace content is free, and new free items show up every week. More: Minecoins: what they are and how to buy them.
In Java Edition, the equivalent of the Marketplace is free resource packs, skins and maps made by the community, but you have to find and install them yourself.
Realms and Realms Plus
Minecraft Realms gives you an official private server hosted by Mojang. There's nothing to configure: you pay a subscription and get a server that's online 24/7 for you and your friends.
- Realms: a server for up to 2 players at once (+ the owner). The cheapest option
- Realms Plus: a server for up to 10 players + access to the rotating Marketplace Pass catalog (maps, skins, textures). About 32.99 PLN/month
Realms is the easiest way to play with friends: no ports, no configuration, no hosting. The downside: limited server customization (no plugins, no mods).
Performance and rendering
Bedrock Edition is written in C++, which gives it a big performance edge over Java Edition:
- Higher FPS: on the same hardware, Bedrock gives you a steadier frame rate, especially on weaker devices
- Chunk rendering: faster world loading, less lag when you teleport
- Mobile devices: Bedrock is optimized for phones and tablets with limited memory and processing power
- RenderDragon: a newer rendering engine with RTX ray tracing (on supported NVIDIA GPUs)
In practice, Minecraft Bedrock on a mid-range phone runs better than Java Edition on an older PC. That's the main reason Bedrock has the most players worldwide.
Add-ons and customization
Bedrock Edition doesn't have mods in the traditional sense (like Forge/Fabric on Java), but it has an add-on system:
- Behavior Packs: change how mobs, mechanics and loot tables work. You can add new mobs, weapons and food
- Resource Packs: change textures, sounds, 3D models and the interface
- Skin Packs: your own character skins
Add-ons are less powerful than Java mods because they have no access to the game's source code. But since 2024 Mojang has been expanding the Script API (JavaScript/TypeScript), which gives creators more and more options. The Marketplace has thousands of add-ons, and sites like MCPEDL.com have thousands more for free.
Bedrock vs Java comparison
| Feature | Bedrock Edition | Java Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Language | C++ | Java |
| Platforms | 9 (PC, consoles, mobile) | 3 (Windows, macOS, Linux) |
| Crossplay | Yes, across all of them | Only with other Java players |
| Mods | Add-ons (limited) | Full mods (Forge, Fabric) |
| Skins | Marketplace (paid) + your own | Free, any skin you like |
| Performance | Higher (native C++) | Lower (JVM, needs optimization) |
| Servers | Smaller scene, Realms | Large scene, plugins |
| Ray tracing | RTX (native support) | Only with shaders (Iris/OptiFine) |
Full comparison: Java vs Bedrock: the differences between the editions.
How to buy Bedrock Edition
- PC: minecraft.net, 119.99 PLN (Java + Bedrock bundle)
- Phone: App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), about 34.99 PLN
- Xbox: Microsoft Store, about 119.99 PLN
- PlayStation: PlayStation Store, about 119.99 PLN
- Switch: Nintendo eShop, about 119.99 PLN
- Game Pass: included in the subscription (PC Game Pass / Game Pass Ultimate)
Frequently asked questions
What platforms is Bedrock Edition on?
Minecraft Bedrock Edition runs on Windows 10/11, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android and Amazon Fire. All of these platforms support crossplay with each other.
Can Bedrock and Java players play together?
Not officially. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition use separate servers and network protocols. There are unofficial workarounds (such as Geyser), but Mojang doesn't support them and they can be unstable.
What is the Marketplace in Bedrock?
The Minecraft Marketplace is the official store for content made by the community and Mojang's partners. You buy maps, skins, texture packs and mashup packs with Minecoins (a virtual currency). Some of the content is free. The Marketplace is only available in Bedrock Edition.
Does Bedrock Edition have mods?
Bedrock Edition supports add-ons (behavior packs and resource packs), but they aren't the same as Java Edition mods. Add-ons are more limited: they can change how mobs behave and add new items and blocks, but they don't have access to the game's code the way Forge/Fabric mods do.
How much does Bedrock Edition cost?
On PC: 119.99 PLN (bundled with Java Edition). On phones: about 34.99 PLN. On consoles: about 119.99 PLN. With Game Pass it's included in the subscription (from 39.99 PLN/month).
