Top 5 differences between Minecraft Java Edition and Pocket Edition

Minecraft currently comes in two forms: Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. Minecraft Pocket Edition was the former title of the Bedrock Edition, and has since disappeared and been solely called Bedrock Edition. Why does Minecraft have two versions? The answer is simple.

The main reason Minecraft has two separate editions is to make it readily available to players across all platforms. Some platforms can support one edition but not the other.

However, players might be wondering what the other differences between the editions are. Well, listed down below are the 5 major differences between Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

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Differences between Minecraft Java & Bedrock Edition

#5 - Coded on Different Engines

Image via Reddit

Minecraft Java and Minecraft Pocket Edition (Bedrock) are coded in completely different programming languages. Minecraft Java Edition is coded in Java, which is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language.

Minecraft Bedrock Edition is coded in C++, which is a general-purpose programming language, and it was coded on C++ to run on platforms that cannot support Java.

#4 - Price Difference

Image via GameSkinny Image via Rock Paper Shotgun

Minecraft Java Edition currently costs $26.95, and Minecraft Bedrock edition prices fluctuate depending on the console. Bedrock Edition for Windows 10 is $29.99, for mobile it is $6.99, for Xbox it is $19.99, and so forth, usually averaging about $19.99 across most of the Bedrock platforms.

Players should keep in mind that Minecraft Bedrock on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3 and PS Vita are no longer available for purchase.

#3 - Lack of spectator mode

Switching to spectator mode (Image via TheGamer)

Spectator mode is a game mode feature exclusive to the Minecraft Java Edition only. This feature can only be used in Pocket Edition through add-ons, whereas in Java Edition, no modding is required for using spectator mode.

Even with external mods, PE players will experience bugs while in spectator mode.

#2 - Redstone works differently

The Minecraft Java Edition is arguably better than Pocket Edition in terms of redstone engineering. Players who are switching from Java Edition to Pocket Edition or vice versa will experience huge differences in the working of redstone contraptions. Block behavior, farms, and redstone circuits do not work the same way in Pocket Edition as they do in Java Edition.

For example, players can push chests with pistons in Pocket Edition, which is impossible in Java Edition.

#1 - Multi-Platform

Image via Polygon

For players with Minecraft Java Edition, they are only allowed to play with other users who have Java Edition. Java Edition is available for players using Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

For Minecraft Pocket Edition (Bedrock), players are able to play with others on console, mobile and PC, as long as they are also using Bedrock Edition. In a way, the Minecraft Bedrock edition is optimal for players wanting to play with friends across a broad spectrum of consoles, rather than sticking to a PC.