Minecraft Bedrock Edition runs on phones, tablets, consoles and Windows 10/11. If your friends play on different devices, a Bedrock server, or a Java server with GeyserMC, lets everyone join the same world. Here is how both options work and what you need to set up.
Option 1: Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS)
Microsoft provides an official Bedrock Dedicated Server binary for Windows and Linux. It runs the native Bedrock protocol, so any Bedrock client connects directly without extra software.
- Port: 19132 UDP by default. Make sure your host opens UDP, not just TCP.
- RAM: 1 to 2 GB is enough for a small group. BDS is lighter than a Java server.
- Plugins: limited. There is no equivalent of Bukkit or Paper. Addons (behavior packs) offer some customisation, but nothing close to Java plugin ecosystems.
- Performance: generally smooth for up to 10 players, but the software receives slower updates than community Java servers.
Option 2: Java server with GeyserMC
GeyserMC is a proxy that translates between Bedrock and Java protocols. You run a normal Java server (Paper, Purpur, NeoForge) and install Geyser as a plugin. Bedrock players connect on port 19132 UDP while Java players use the standard 25565 TCP.
- Best of both worlds: full Java plugin support plus crossplay.
- Floodgate: install alongside Geyser so Bedrock players do not need a Java account.
- RAM: plan for an extra 256 to 512 MB on top of what your Java server needs.
- Compatibility: works well for survival and minigames. Some edge cases around block placement and combat timing exist, but they improve with every release.
Which option to choose
| Criteria | BDS | Java + GeyserMC |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrock-only group | Best fit | Works, but adds overhead |
| Mixed Java and Bedrock | Not possible | Best fit |
| Plugin support | Minimal | Full (Paper, Purpur etc.) |
| Mod support | Behavior packs only | Full (NeoForge, Fabric) |
| RAM usage | Lower | Higher |
| Console players | Direct connect | Via BedrockConnect or DNS |
Setting up GeyserMC on your server
- Download the Geyser plugin for your platform (Paper/Spigot, Fabric, NeoForge or standalone).
- Drop the jar into your plugins or mods folder and restart.
- Edit
config.ymlinside the Geyser folder. The default Bedrock port is 19132 UDP. - Install Floodgate the same way if you want Bedrock players to skip Java authentication.
- Make sure your host opens port 19132 UDP. On our panel this is a one-click add.
Console players and featured servers
Xbox and PlayStation players cannot enter a custom server address by default. The workaround is BedrockConnect or a DNS redirect that replaces one of the featured server entries. Both approaches are well documented and work reliably.
Does GeyserMC add lag?
The translation layer uses a small amount of extra CPU and memory, but on a modern host the impact is negligible. Most players will not notice.
Can Bedrock players use Java texture packs?
No. Bedrock and Java use different resource pack formats. Geyser translates blocks and items, but custom textures need a separate Bedrock resource pack.
Which Minecraft version should I run?
Keep your Java server on the latest stable release (currently 26.x with Java 25). Geyser supports the latest Bedrock release and translates automatically.
Our Bedrock plans come with GeyserMC pre-installed and the UDP port already open. See Minecraft Bedrock hosting for plans and pricing.
