Want to make a Minecraft server so you can play with your friends? It's easier than you'd think, thanks to numerous options that allow tons of flexibility.

Minecraft players can modify their gameplay experience in a multitude of ways and across different editions, thanks to Java Edition mods and Bedrock Edition add-ons.

New to Minecraft? Here's all you need to know about the difference between Bedrock and Java, and how it affects you.

To install these mods, you'll need to use a free add-on called Minecraft Forge. This will let you customize Minecraft: Java Edition with mods.

How to play with friends on Minecraft: Java Servers are the basic building block of Minecraft's multiplayer mode. Anyone playing together will need to be on the same server.