There are three ways to play multiplayer in "Minecraft: Java Edition:" through an online server, a LAN server, or a "Minecraft Realms" server.

In Minecraft Java Edition, players can either jump into a world on their own and explore it, or they can join their friends in a multiplayer world and play together.

The Bedrock Edition of Minecraft is playable with friends using peer-to-peer online multiplayer, where you can join your friends’ active sessions for free. But if you want a server that will ...