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Minecraft and Roblox are two of the world’s most popular games, both with millions of loyal players and a large fan base. Both games provide distinct experiences and have become cultural icons, hooking in players of all ages. But which block-building game is better for you and your kids in 2024?
In this article, we will explore the Minecraft vs. Roblox battle across various categories, helping you decide which game best suits your interests and needs.
Key Takeaways
- Minecraft had 262,626 players online as of July 15, 2024, with an all-time high of 46,475,250 players in March 2024.
- At the same time, there are approximately 1.5 million people playing Roblox live. About? 204,000,000 people were playing the game in the last 30 days.
- Minecraft offers strong parental controls, a creative and collaborative community, and is accessible across numerous platforms.
- Roblox provides a variety of multiplayer games, extensive avatar customization, and is free to start, but may incur higher long-term costs due to its subscription model.
- Both games offer significant educational value: Minecraft teaches Java and STEM concepts, while Roblox focuses on Lua programming and game development.
Is Roblox More Popular Than Minecraft?
As of October 2023, Minecraft sold over 300 million copies of the game, sealing its fame with its iconic blocky, textured graphics, and advanced gameplay mechanics.
On the other hand, Roblox, with more than 77.7 million daily active users as of the first quarter of 2024, is celebrated for its extensive customization options and diverse game library created by its own users.
According to Keyson Stat’s Minecraft vs. Roblox popularity graph, the two are the most popular games of all time, with Minecraft taking the lead.
However, the most recent stats compiled by Player Counter suggest that Roblox might win the popularity battle with 1,441,530 online players at the time of writing vs. Mincraft’s 262,626.
With so many daily players, one might wonder, what game is better and which should you play in 2024?
Roblox vs. Minecraft: Head-to-Head Comparison
In the table below, we provide you with a bird’ s-eye view of the similarities and differences between Minecraft and Roblox. The rest of the article explores each category in depth so you can understand which game is best for your needs.
| Category | Minecraft | Roblox |
| Gameplay & Features | Sophisticated mechanics with survival, crafting, and creative building. Solo play with server setup. | Simple mechanics focused on goals. Variety of games, mostly multiplayer, easy to join and play. |
| Educational Value | Teaches Java, engineering, and logic via Redstone, teamwork, and STEM concepts. | Teaches Lua, game development, 3D modeling, marketing, and teamwork. |
| Safety & Community | Strong parental controls, single-player focus, creative and collaborative community. | Parental controls limit interactions. Diverse community with varying behaviors and many multiplayer games. |
| Graphics & Design | Blocky, textured, more realistic. Customizable skins and worlds. | Blocky, cartoonish. Extensive avatar and game customization with Roblox Studio. |
| Accessibility & Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox, ChromeOS, Amazon tablet, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Raspberry Pi | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Xbox, Meta Quest, PlayStation, Chrome OS |
| Cost & Monetization | Java Edition: $29.99, Bedrock Edition: $6.99-$19.99. Optional Minecoins for extras. | Free version available. Premium subscription: $4.99-$19.99/month. Optional Robux for in-game purchases. |
Overall Winner: Minecraft
Minecraft has the same level of educational value as Roblox but is safer all around. It’s also more accessible via a number of different platforms. Although it’s more expensive upfront, it’s cheaper in the long run since you’d need to pay a monthly subscription for Roblox.
Minecraft vs. Roblox: Which Is Better in 2024?
Gameplay & Features
To understand the difference between Roblox and Minecraft, let’s look into their unique gameplay and features.
Game Mechanics
Minecraft offers more sophisticated and varied gameplay mechanics, including survival factors like hunger and crafting.
Meanwhile, Roblox has simpler mechanics focusing on specific goals.
Creativity & Building
Minecraft allows you to build whatever you want, enabling extensive creative expression in a blocky universe.
In contrast, Roblox is more limited in terms of creativity, with a variety of games, some inspired by Minecraft, but not offering the same creative experience.
Multiplayer Experience
Minecraft is technically designed for solo play. You can opt to play with other people, but you need to set up a server and pay for a realm, which adds to the cost of the game.
Roblox, however, includes a comprehensive gaming engine with multiple games, mostly multiplayer interactive. You simply log in, select a game, and play.
Game Modes & Variety
Minecraft is a singular game that can be played in 4 modes: survival, adventure, creative, and hardcore. You can also adjust the difficulty manually.
Roblox offers hundreds of games on a single platform. Players can choose from a practically unlimited variety of games, such as shooters, puzzles, and more.
Minecraft is better for features and gameplay due to its advanced mechanics, creative building options, and versatile game modes.
Educational Value
When it comes to Roblox or Minecraft, a common question is, “Is Minecraft better than Roblox in terms of educational value?” Both games have learning potential, but it depends on what your goals are.
Learning Potential
Minecraft can teach Minecraft-adapted Java, structure-building, engineering, and logic principles via Redstone mechanics, world-building, modding, teamwork, and concepts related to physics and chemistry.
Roblox, on the other hand, can teach the Lua programming language, game development and design, 3D modeling, marketing, and monetization via in-game purchases and premium memberships, as well as teamwork.
Skill Development
Minecraft helps develop programming skills, spatial reasoning and geometry, problem-solving and critical thinking, creativity and imagination, collaboration, and STEM learning.
Roblox fosters programming skills, creativity and design, entrepreneurial skills, and collaboration skills.
Both Minecraft and Roblox offer valuable educational opportunities, but Minecraft stands out for its comprehensive STEM learning potential.
Safety & Community
Game safety is one of the most crucial factors to consider while choosing Minecraft vs. Roblox for your kids.
Parental Controls
Minecraft is designed around single-player mode, shielding a child from exposure to older players. There are parental controls that prevent joining multiplayer games, clubs, or accessing realms. You can also limit or disable chat and manage friend requests.
In Roblox, parental controls are called “Account Restrictions,” which limit other users from sending messages, chatting in-app, chatting in-experience, and who can send friend requests. Account restrictions also limit play to experiences recommended for All Ages.
Online Interactions
In Minecraft, you can allow your child to join multiplayer servers and report players for inappropriate chat messages or dangerous behavior. You can hide all messages from specific players and report them to Minecraft moderators for review. You can also disable chat functions entirely and ensure that multiplayer servers have good moderation and strict rules.
In Roblox, the vast majority of games are multiplayer, which may expose young children to more violent or unfiltered information. The platform encourages teamwork, which can be risky without proper oversight. There are automated systems and human moderators to monitor interactions, but the sheer number of games makes it hard to moderate.
Community Behavior
The Minecraft community is known for its creativity and collaboration. Many servers focus on building, exploring, and cooperative gameplay, creating a positive environment. Negative behavior can occur, but private and well-moderated servers can help prevent issues.
Roblox has a diverse community with varying behavior. While there are many positive and supportive groups, the open nature of the platform can also attract negative interactions. The large number of young users means immature behavior can sometimes be an issue. Different games on Roblox have their own communities, so some might have excellent moderation and positive interactions, while others may struggle with toxic behavior.
Minecraft offers a safer community and more robust parental controls, making it a better option for younger children.
Graphics & Design
Visual Style
Minecraft has a blocky, textured, and more realistic visual style.
Meanwhile, Roblox features a blocky, cartoonish art style.
Customization Options
In Minecraft, characters can be customized with various skins—players can create them themselves or download them from the internet. Players can also customize the world by building structures and creating landscapes and entire worlds. You can even self-host – see our guide to the best Minecraft server hosting solutions for more details.
Roblox offers extensive customization for avatars, including clothing, accessories, and body parts. Players can also create their own games with Roblox Studio, allowing for custom looks, feels, models, and visual effects.
Roblox provides more extensive customization options for avatars and game creation, making it more versatile in terms of graphics and design.
Accessibility & Platforms
Device Compatibility
Minecraft is compatible with Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon tablets, Xbox, ChromeOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Raspberry Pi.
Roblox is compatible with Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Xbox, Meta Quest, PlayStation, and Chrome OS.
Ease of Access
Minecraft offers cross-platform play, a user-friendly interface, Minecraft Education Edition with additional tools and resources for learning, and extensive online resources, forums, and tutorials.
Roblox also provides cross-platform play, straightforward account creation, a huge array of games to match various interests and skill levels, and customizable controls.
Minecraft offers wider device compatibility and extensive educational resources, while Roblox provides easier access to a vast array of games.
Cost & Monetization
Initial Costs
Minecraft is a premium game; the original Java Edition for Mac and Windows costs $29.99, while the Bedrock Edition for smartphones costs $6.99 and for consoles costs $19.99.
Roblox has a free version that is compatible with all devices, making it easier for novice users to test out some games.
In-Game Purchases
In Minecraft, once you subscribe, all the following upgrades are free, allowing you to enjoy the game forever. You can also buy Minecoins (the in-game currency) to make purchases in the Minecraft Marketplace, but this is not necessary.
To completely enjoy what Roblox has to offer, there’s a Premium subscription costing between $4.99 and $19.99 each month. You can also buy Robux, the in-game currency that allows you to buy items and perks within the games, but this is not necessary.
While Roblox offers a free version, Minecraft’s one-time purchase provides better long-term value without ongoing subscription costs.
Final Verdict: Roblox vs. Minecraft Strengths & Weaknesses
There are various strengths and weaknesses for both of these games. Here’s an overview:
| Minecraft | Roblox | |
| Pros | ?Advanced gameplay mechanics
?Strong educational value ?Good parental controls ?Creative & collaborative community |
?Free to start
?Lots of game variety ?Good educational value ? Advanced customization features |
| Cons | ?Higher initial cost
?Extra costs to set up your own multiplayer server ?Mainly single-player focused |
?Simpler mechanics
?Varied community behavior ?More online interaction risks |
The Bottom Line: Which Game Should You Choose in 2024?
When choosing between Minecraft or Roblox, you need to consider what aspects of gaming you enjoy the most or think would provide the most value and safety to your child.
If you prefer advanced mechanics, a strong single-player experience, and educational value in programming and STEM, Minecraft might be better for you. If you enjoy a variety of games, easy multiplayer interaction, and extensive customization options, Roblox could be a better fit.
Ultimately, whether Minecraft is better than Roblox or vice versa depends on personal preferences. Both games offer educational value, creative opportunities, and unique strengths that suit different preferences and needs.
FAQs
Which is better, Roblox or Minecraft?
Is Roblox OK for a 5-year-old?
Is Roblox more expensive than Minecraft?
Is Roblox more realistic than Minecraft?
References
- Minecraft total sales 2023 (Statista)
- Global Roblox games DAU 2024 (Statista)
- Most Popular Games of All Time – Minecraft vs Roblox vs Fortnite vs Other Games (Youtube)
- Roblox Live Player Count in 2024 – How Many People Are Playing Now? (Playercounter)
- Minecraft live Player Count – How Many People Are Playing Now? (Playercounter)
