I've seen SO MANY POSTS just about this mini-war, so here is my final take on it all, coming from multiple different sources describing different ideas.
Point number 1: Performance
To understand the difference, we need to go back to when Minecraft: Java was originally coded in 2010 by a college graduate. Minecraft Java was coded in, well, Java. However, Minecraft Bedrock was coded in C++, a much faster language than Java. What this means in simple terms, is *Java edition was never made to support many players*, and was coded as such, in an easy language like Java. Bedrock edition is basically Microsoft remaking Minecraft from the ground up, but in a better, faster, manner. What I'm trying to say here, is Bedrock is inherently *faster* than Vanilla, unmodded, Java. However, that's not to say that it's faster then *modded* Java, in fact, quite the opposite, as shown by the pictures below. System tested with a R5 3600 and a GTX 1660S. Version 1.16.5. Mods used: Sodium, Lithium, Phosphor.
Point number 2: Features/Community
Subsection: Basic Feature Differences
As Bedrock is the recoded version of Minecraft, it has certain, small differences in the game itself. Such as animated armor stands, and dyes in cauldrons. However, most people ignore these differences, as they are unlikely to sway anyone's decision on which one to get.
Subsection: Advanced Feature Differences
- Multiplayer: Java does not have cross-play for different devices, since it was only made for PC. Although, it is arguable that Java has bigger, better servers, and it is completely free to host your own and join your friends on other PCs. Bedrock does, though, have cross-play throughout basically all devices including console and mobile, which is why it is often called the 'bigger' version of Minecraft.
- Redstone: While this may not seem important to most people, redstone functionality is the main reason redstone engineers use Java. Java, while some people can argue that they are bugs, has helpful (unintended) 'features' that are **key** to advanced redstone. An example being quasi-connectivity.
- Mods: See subsection 'mods'
- Graphics: As Bedrock is coded to be on every device, including low-powered devices like mobile, it is required to sacrifice visual quality. Where Java, on the other hand, is preferred for the best visual experience, with its shaders and 4k texture packs. However, Bedrock does have RTX support, but it is debatable whether it is worth it or not. But, if you have an RTX graphics card and want to put it to work, albeit sacrificing **hundreds** of frames, Bedrock will do that for you.
- Combat: Java is preferred for speedrunners and PvPers alike, since Bedrock is missing key features for combat, and with fast movements, people complain it isn't responsive enough. But, as I keep saying, Bedrock was made to be on mobile and console, both relatively unresponsive clients.
- Farms: Most comments on tutorial youtube videos are, "Does this work on Bedrock?" Why you ask? Well, Bedrock, as I mentioned in the Redstone point, is missing features that allow Java farms to work correctly. Meaning, Java is preferred for large-scale survival farms.
- Bugs: While Java has helpful bugs err.. I mean unintended features, like quasi-connectivity, Bedrock still has bugs, but not very helpful ones. Like random fall damage, invisible mobs, and the most common, corrupted worlds.
Subsection: Mods
Java edition is practically known for it's **thousands** of free mods on the popular website . While Bedrock edition also has mods, which they call add-ons, they are rarely free and do not change much in the game itself, compared to Java. Not only mods, even texture packs, skins, and random features that are on Java either aren't on Bedrock, or are paid.
Subsection: Community
As Java is the original, older version of Minecraft, it would be **much** bigger than Bedrock, if only it was also on every device. It isn't fair to compare the community size with Java, because Microsoft puts Bedrock in the main spotlight. Since Bedrock is newer, most of it's community is under thirteen, and generally younger than Java's playerbase, which is relatively older. However, even though Bedrock has a larger playerbase, Java's servers are **huge**, while Bedrock's servers are much less popular.
**Point number 3: Conclusion**
Bedrock is just Java that's slightly more annoying in general, has in-app purchases, has cross-play, improved performance than unmodded Java, and finally, has RTX.
Verdict: Java is absolutely preferred if you are on PC and so are all your friends. But, Bedrock is good in it's own ways, especially if your friends don't have a PC, or you don't have a PC.
Thank you for reading this mess of an article, and I apologize in advance if it was unclear, and I probably just started a comment war all over again. 🙂
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/ltas4m/bedrock_vs_java_verdict_repost/
