PocketMine-MP vs Bedrock Dedicated Server
Compare PocketMine-MP and Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) for running Minecraft Bedrock servers. Covers plugins, performance, features, and community support.
Running a Minecraft Bedrock server means choosing between two main options: the official Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) from Mojang, or PocketMine-MP (PMMP), a community-built server software written in PHP. Both serve Bedrock clients, but they take fundamentally different approaches to extensibility, performance, and feature completeness.
What each option is
BDS is Mojang's official server binary. It runs the same C++ codebase as the client, which means full vanilla feature parity: every mob, every mechanic, every redstone behavior works exactly as in singleplayer. However, BDS has no native plugin API. Extending it requires third-party modding frameworks like LeviLamina (formerly LiteLoaderBDS) that hook into the binary.
PocketMine-MP is a clean-room Minecraft Bedrock server implementation written in PHP 8. It has a full plugin API inspired by Bukkit, with an active plugin ecosystem on Poggit (the PMMP plugin repository). The trade-off is that PMMP does not implement every vanilla feature. Some mobs have incomplete AI, redstone is limited, and new Minecraft features take time to be reimplemented.
Feature comparison table
| Feature | BDS (Official) | PocketMine-MP |
|---|---|---|
| Language | C++ (closed-source binary) | PHP 8 (open-source) |
| Vanilla parity | 100% | ~70-80% (missing some mobs/redstone) |
| Plugin API | None (needs LeviLamina or similar) | Built-in (Bukkit-inspired) |
| Plugin count | ~500 (via LeviLamina) | ~2,000+ (Poggit) |
| Performance | High (native C++) | Good (PHP 8 JIT) |
| RAM usage (20 players) | ~1-2 GB | ~0.5-1 GB |
| Mob AI | Full vanilla | Partial (basic pathfinding) |
| Redstone | Full vanilla | Basic (not full parity) |
| Custom forms/UI | Via addons | Via plugin API |
| Xbox/PS/Switch clients | Yes | Yes |
| Update speed | Same day as client | Days to weeks after protocol update |
| Operating systems | Windows, Ubuntu Linux | Any OS with PHP 8 |
Performance
BDS runs native C++ code, which is inherently fast. It handles world generation, entity simulation, and chunk management with the same efficiency as the client. PocketMine uses PHP 8 with JIT compilation, which is surprisingly performant for a scripted language. For servers under 50 players, PMMP performs well. For large servers with 100+ players and complex worlds, BDS has the advantage due to native code execution.
Plugin ecosystem
This is where PMMP wins decisively. Its Bukkit-inspired API lets developers write plugins in PHP with event listeners, commands, scheduled tasks, and permission nodes. The Poggit repository hosts over 2,000 plugins covering economy, minigames, permissions, chat, and more. BDS requires LeviLamina or similar injection-based modding, which is more fragile and has a smaller plugin selection. If your server relies heavily on custom plugins, PMMP is the easier platform to develop for.
Vanilla feature support
BDS runs Mojang's code, so everything works: all mobs spawn and behave correctly, redstone circuits function as expected, the Warden hunts players, and new features appear on release day. PMMP re-implements these features from scratch, which means some mobs have simplified AI, redstone support is incomplete, and new Minecraft features require manual implementation by the PMMP team. If you need a vanilla-accurate Bedrock survival experience, BDS is the only option.
Addon and scripting support
BDS supports Mojang's official addon system, including behavior packs and resource packs. Since the Minecraft 1.20 updates, the Scripting API (using JavaScript/TypeScript) has matured significantly, allowing server-side scripting on BDS without third-party tools. This scripting API can handle custom commands, entity behaviors, world generation tweaks, and UI forms. While it is not as powerful as a full plugin API, it is officially supported, documented by Mojang, and does not break between updates. PMMP does not support Mojang's scripting API or behavior packs natively, since it is a clean-room implementation. If you want to use official Minecraft addons and marketplace content, BDS is required.
Cross-play considerations
Both BDS and PMMP accept connections from all Bedrock clients: iOS, Android, Windows 10/11, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Console players (Xbox, PS, Switch) connect through the Friends tab or third-party workarounds since custom server lists are limited on consoles. Both server types handle this identically. If you want Java players to connect to your Bedrock server, neither option supports this natively, but GeyserMC can bridge Java clients to BDS (not to PMMP). For maximum cross-play, a Java server with GeyserMC is usually a better choice than either Bedrock option.
Community and long-term viability
BDS is backed by Mojang and will continue receiving updates as long as Bedrock Edition exists. PMMP is community-maintained by a small team of dedicated developers. PMMP has survived for over a decade (originally PocketMine), which shows strong community commitment, but its future depends on volunteer contributors. LeviLamina for BDS has a growing community, particularly among Chinese Bedrock server operators, but it relies on reverse engineering the BDS binary, which makes it fragile across updates. If long-term stability and guaranteed updates matter most, BDS is the safer bet. If you value community-driven development and a rich plugin API, PMMP has proven its staying power.
When to use BDS
- You need full vanilla survival with all mobs, redstone, and mechanics.
- You want same-day updates when new Minecraft versions release.
- You are running a server for console players who expect vanilla gameplay.
- You want to use Mojang's official Scripting API or behavior packs.
- You do not need many plugins or can use LeviLamina.
When to use PocketMine-MP
- You need a rich plugin ecosystem for minigames, economy, or custom mechanics.
- You want to write custom server-side logic in PHP.
- You run on macOS, ARM Linux, or another OS that BDS does not support.
- Full vanilla mob AI and redstone are not critical for your server type.
- You prefer open-source software where you can read and modify the server code.
Resource and behavior packs
BDS supports Mojang's official resource and behavior packs natively. Players can connect and automatically download server resource packs, just like in vanilla singleplayer. PMMP supports resource packs through its API, and plugins can send resource pack prompts to connecting players. However, behavior packs (which modify game logic) do not work on PMMP since the game logic is reimplemented in PHP rather than running Mojang's C++ code. If your server uses custom textures, models, or UI elements via resource packs, both options support this. If your server relies on behavior pack logic for custom entities or mechanics, you need BDS.
Bottom line
BDS is the better choice for vanilla-style Bedrock servers. PMMP is the better choice for custom game modes, minigame servers, and any server that needs extensive plugin support. Many Bedrock server operators run BDS for their survival world and PMMP for lobby or minigame servers, combining the strengths of both.
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