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Gaming · head to head

Epic Games Store vs Minecraft

Epic Games Store logo

Epic Games Store

Gaming

PC game storefront with a lower revenue cut for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Minecraft logo

Minecraft

Gaming

Sandbox building and survival game sold as a bundled Java and Bedrock purchase, owned by Microsoft, with paid Realms subscriptions

From
$29.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Epic Games Store has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Epic Games Store far fewer community features than Steam: no workshop, limited forums and a weaker review system; Minecraft java and Bedrock have different mod and add-on ecosystems, so content built for one does not transfer to the other, and multiplayer between the two requires Bedrock or a third-party bridge.
  • They diverge on capability: Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Minecraft covers Java and Bedrock bundle.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Epic Games Store and Minecraft actually diverge.

Attributes where Epic Games Store and Minecraft differ
AttributeEpic Games StoreMinecraft
Starting priceFree$29.99/one-time
Pricing modelFree to use; individual games purchased separatelyOne-time purchase, optional Realms subscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Gaming).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Epic Games Store

  • 12% revenue share
  • Unreal Engine royalty waiver
  • Weekly free games
  • Cross-platform services

Only in Minecraft

  • Java and Bedrock bundle
  • Realms
  • Marketplace
  • Creative and Survival modes
  • Cross-play
  • Mod support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Epic Games Store

  • Buying PC games, often at lower prices than competing storesnot Minecraft
  • Claiming the weekly free gamenot Minecraft
  • Developers wanting a better revenue share than the 30% standardnot Minecraft

Minecraft

  • A parent wanting a one-time purchase rather than a free game with recurring in-app purchase promptsnot Epic Games Store
  • A group of friends wanting an easy, low-maintenance private multiplayer server through Realms rather than self-hostingnot Epic Games Store
  • A player who bought Minecraft years ago under an old Mojang account needing to migrate to a Microsoft account to keep playingnot Epic Games Store
  • A player choosing between Java for mod support and Bedrock for cross-platform play with console or mobile friendsnot Epic Games Store

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Epic Games Store

  • Far fewer community features than Steam: no workshop, limited forums and a weaker review system
  • A smaller catalogue, and its exclusivity deals have been unpopular with players
  • The client has a longstanding reputation for being slower and less capable than competitors
  • A smaller audience means developers trade reach for the better revenue split

Minecraft

  • Java and Bedrock have different mod and add-on ecosystems, so content built for one does not transfer to the other, and multiplayer between the two requires Bedrock or a third-party bridge.
  • Microsoft account consolidation has required some long-time players with old Mojang accounts to migrate logins, and migration issues around lost purchases or usernames have caused real friction.
  • Realms subscription pricing scales with player slot count, so a larger friend group hosting a persistent world pays a recurring monthly fee rather than a one-time cost.
  • Marketplace content on Bedrock, skins, maps and texture packs, is a paid add-on layer using its own currency, Minecoins, purchased with real money.
  • Cross-play compatibility and feature parity between Bedrock and Java lag behind each other at times, so a feature or update can land on one edition well before the other.

Pricing, plan by plan

Epic Games Store

Free
  • Epic Games StoreFree
    • Free account
    • Weekly free games
    • Game purchases billed individually

Minecraft

$29.99/one-time
  • Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition (PC)$29.99/one-time
    • Includes both Java and Bedrock editions on Windows
  • Minecraft (Mobile)$6.99/one-time
    • One-time purchase on iOS, priced separately on Android at a similar level
  • PC Game Pass access$9.99/month
    • Subscription route that includes Minecraft access alongside other Xbox titles
  • Realms$7.99/month
    • Small hosted private multiplayer server, price varies by player count and platform

Which should you pick?

Choose Epic Games Store if

  • You need 12% revenue share.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want unreal engine royalty waiver.
Epic Games Store review

Choose Minecraft if

  • You need java and bedrock bundle.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch.
  • You also want realms.
Minecraft review

Questions people ask

Is Epic Games Store or Minecraft better?
Neither clearly leads. Epic Games Store starts at Free and Minecraft at $29.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Epic Games Store or Minecraft?
Epic Games Store has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Epic Games Store and $29.99/one-time for Minecraft.
Does Epic Games Store or Minecraft run on more platforms?
Epic Games Store runs on Windows, macOS, Web. Minecraft runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch.
Can I use Epic Games Store for free?
Yes. Epic Games Store has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Minecraft starts at $29.99/one-time.
What is Epic Games Store best used for?
Epic Games Store is most often used for buying pc games, often at lower prices than competing stores, claiming the weekly free game, developers wanting a better revenue share than the 30% standard. Of those, buying pc games, often at lower prices than competing stores and claiming the weekly free game are not what Minecraft is typically brought in for.
What can Epic Games Store do that Minecraft cannot?
Epic Games Store covers 12% revenue share, Unreal Engine royalty waiver, Weekly free games, Cross-platform services. Minecraft covers Java and Bedrock bundle, Realms, Marketplace, Creative and Survival modes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Epic Games Store: Is the Epic Games Store free?

Yes, the store and account are free. Games are purchased individually, and one is given away free each week.

Minecraft: Is Minecraft free to play?

No. It is a one-time purchase; there is no free-to-play version with in-app purchases gating core gameplay.

Epic Games Store: Why do developers use it?

A 12% revenue share against the 30% platform standard, plus waived Unreal Engine royalties on sales through the store.

Minecraft: Do I need to buy Java and Bedrock separately?

No, on PC Microsoft now sells them as a single bundled purchase. Mobile and console versions are bought separately per platform.

Epic Games Store: How does it compare with Steam?

Steam has a much larger catalogue and far richer community features. Epic competes on price, developer revenue share and free games.

Minecraft: Is Realms required to play with friends?

No, players can self-host a server or use LAN play for free; Realms is a paid convenience for hosted, always-on multiplayer.

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