Free Minecraft server for Bedrock and crossplay

In short: Torchlite hosts free Minecraft Java Edition servers in Bucharest. Bedrock Edition players, on phones, tablets and Windows, can join them through the Geyser and Floodgate plugins on a Paper, Purpur or Spigot server: Geyser translates between the editions and Floodgate lets Bedrock players in without a Java account. It needs Minecraft 1.20.5 or newer on the server, works on Torchlite's free Lite (1.5 GB) and Turbo (3 GB) plans, and uses Bedrock's new NetherNet connection on your server's own port. Torchlite does not run Bedrock Dedicated Server itself.

How crossplay works

Bedrock and Java are two different games that cannot talk to each other on their own. Geyser is a plugin that sits on your Java server and translates for Bedrock players, so both editions play in the same world. Floodgate, its companion, lets Bedrock players log in with their Microsoft account only.

Bedrock is moving to a new way of connecting, NetherNet, and according to the Geyser team Bedrock 26.60 stops using the old one. Many older guides set Geyser up the old way. The Geyser guide sets it up for NetherNet, on the port your server already has, with no extra port to open.

Set it up

1. On Create your server, pick Lite or Turbo and Minecraft (Paper), on Minecraft 1.20.5 or newer.
2. Download Geyser-Spigot and Floodgate-Spigot from geysermc.org and upload both to the plugins folder in Files.
3. Restart, then in plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml set NetherNet and Floodgate as the guide shows.
4. Restart again. The console prints the address and port Bedrock players use.

If your server runs an older Minecraft version, add the ViaVersion plugin as well, since Geyser always speaks the newest Java version.

Plans

Geyser adds a little memory use per Bedrock player. For a mixed group of more than a handful of players, Turbo gives more room.

What Bedrock players see

Bedrock players add the server under Servers with the address Geyser prints, not your Java address, and join like any server. They play in the same world, with the same plugins and the same rules. A few Java-only features, such as some client mods, have no Bedrock equivalent.

Frequently asked questions

Can Bedrock players join a Torchlite server?

Yes, through Geyser and Floodgate on a Paper, Purpur or Spigot server. They need no Java account.

Does Torchlite host Bedrock Dedicated Server?

No. Torchlite runs Java Edition servers; Bedrock players join them through Geyser. A Bedrock world cannot be uploaded to a Java server as it is.

Does it work on Fabric?

Geyser has a Fabric version, but the Torchlite guide covers the Paper plugins. Paper, Purpur or Spigot is the simplest route.

Is it free?

Yes. The server is free on Lite or Turbo, and Geyser and Floodgate are free plugins.