A Minecraft private server allows you to join up with your buddies online without having to worry about other players ruining all the fun.

The best Minecraft servers on Java and Bedrock can be hard to find, so we've dug them out for you, alongside instructions on how to host your own if you prefer to.

For those using Minecraft’s Java Edition, you’ll need to purchase a Realm from the Minecraft website. Keep in mind that Bedrock Edition players cannot play on the same servers as Java players.