Of the two versions of Minecraft available to download, Java and Bedrock, which is the better choice? The answer lies in these distinctions.

Hardcore mode (which makes it so you can’t respawn when you die) and Spectator mode (which lets you fly around and view the world) are both only available in the Java Edition of Minecraft.

"Minecraft" offers cross-platform play for both versions of the game — Bedrock and Java — but you can only play with users who own the same version.

Minecraft: Java Edition is the original version of the game for computers, while Bedrock is a newer version available on nearly every device.