Minecraft vs. Roblox: Which Is Best for You or Your Child?

Minecraft vs. Roblox is a big battle between two of the leading sandbox games. They both let players build and explore worlds, go on adventures alongside others, and create something akin to using digital Lego bricks. Even so, there are differences you’ll want to know about before choosing one. This post takes a look at Minecraft vs. Roblox in a number of areas, to help you determine which one’s best for you (or your child).

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Gameplay

On the surface, both Minecraft and Roblox look similar, although they have different gameplay mechanics.

Minecraft has more of a fixed mechanics system. The game is played from a first- or third-person perspective and allows you to engage in basic activities, like building, mining, farming, and fighting. There are no guns in Minecraft, by default, and the combat is non-violent with very simple animations.

Historically, Minecraft was known for its Survival mode, which throws you into a world filled with resources, where monsters come out at night. You can play this alone or cooperatively with other players.

But what’s really given Minecraft its longevity is Creative mode, which removes health and the mining mechanics, to let you loose to create without fear of attacks from enemies. Some of the creations that people have made over the years have been nothing short of incredible, and really justify the game’s label as “virtual Lego.”

In contrast, Roblox is more like a toolbox for creating games. Your imagination is your limit here, with shooters, strategy games, “tycoon” games, simulators, and more available. For example, you have games such as Jailbreak, where you must prevent or carry out a bank heist. The survival-horror Piggy franchise, a survival horror game, is also one of the most popular Roblox games.

That means that every experience you find on Roblox is handcrafted by other players. Of course, the quality varies greatly, but excellent filtering systems make it relatively easy to find the types of games you want and ensure that they’re of a high enough quality for you to play.

Cross-device compatibility is another avenue where the two games differ. With Roblox, you can play on your Android, while someone else can be on their Windows PC. But with Minecraft, you can only play with players in the same edition as you. For example, if you are using Java Edition, your client will only be able to connect to Java Edition servers.

Tip: Learn how to fix your Roblox installation on Mac.

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Popularity

Because Minecraft has had a long period of recognition, many believe Roblox to be a new game in the block-based builder genre. In truth, Roblox is older by three years, although it hasn’t always had the popularity of Minecraft.

You can see from the trends that Minecraft had peak popularity around the mid-2010s and has seen peaks every so often since then. Meanwhile, the search trends for Roblox dramatically increased during the global pandemic.

Roblox also skews to the younger demographic than Minecraft. As such, Roblox will suit the very young (i.e., four or five years old) audiences, though both games are well received in their own right.

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Parental Controls

Because many children are on Minecraft and Roblox, parental controls should be a consideration when choosing which game to play.

With Minecraft, this is all handled within your device’s parental controls and that of Microsoft accounts. For example, the Xbox Bedrock Edition requires you to set console-wide parental settings, especially for marketplace transactions.

On the other hand, Roblox has a dedicated page for parents that explains what Roblox is and how they can keep their children safe while playing. For example, there are clothing detection algorithms, customizable controls, chat filters, and more.

With that in mind, Roblox is by far the easiest to set up when it comes to accounts for children. It’s almost as simple as setting up an account for yourself.

We should pay special attention to Minecraft here, as it’s such a complicated process, that it could put many parents off. You may also want to add in-game currency to either Roblox or Minecraft. If you purchase as a parent, this is a simple process. Though, if you wish to add currency for a child, the process is more involved.

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Price

If you’re a parent comparing Minecraft vs. Roblox, the price is going to be a big consideration.

The base game of Roblox, along with other user-created worlds, is free to play. However, the higher-quality ones tend to require “Premium” access, as their creators are monetizing them. All that said, you could technically play Roblox without spending a dime.

There’s an in-game currency, Robux, that you can buy using real-world money. Some games charge Robux for access, and just because a game is premium, doesn’t mean there’s quality control applied.

There are also subscriptions, which give you a set number of Robux per month and a discount on further purchases, which isn’t going to be suitable for some children. If you’re a creator, this is likely something you’ll opt for.

In contrast, Minecraft has several different versions. Here’s what you need to know about them:

Minecraft: Java Edition

Platforms: Windows, Mac
Price: $29.99

The one where it all started. The Java Edition of Minecraft in some ways represents the true freedom and original experience of Minecraft. In some ways, the Java Edition is the “Roblox of Minecraft,” in that it’s a pretty open platform that can be heavily modded and on top of which players can build their own standalone games.

The Java Edition is also used as something of a testing bed for Minecraft. As such, it is more likely to get new features, such as the spectator and hardcore modes, that may or may not make it into the Bedrock Edition.

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Price $29.99 (console/PC), $6.99 (iOS/Android)

The most common edition of Minecraft currently, this version lets you crossplay with people across all platforms. A key thing to note is that most versions of “Bedrock Edition” are actually just called “Minecraft.” These are also the versions that you’ll find on PS4/PS5, Xbox, PC, Android and iOS.

While the Bedrock Edition has many modern conveniences, it has a more tightly controlled ecosystem. This means that modding is limited, and there’s more paid content to buy using Minecoins, the in-game currency for Bedrock Edition.

Minecraft: Education Edition

Platforms: PC, Android, iOS
Price: $5 per month per user

Mojang developed this version of the game for the classroom, teaching children to code, design games within Minecraft, and have a ton of fun while doing it. It comes with over 600 lessons (and the ability to create your own), as well as other teacher-oriented features, like collaboration on documents, assessments and coding information.

Good to know: learn some of the best sandbox games that you can play.

How Both Games Deal with Microtransactions

When examining microtransactions in Minecraft vs. Roblox, both have a microtransaction system and include virtual currencies.

With Minecraft, you can buy Minecoins to use in the Marketplace. However, it is important to note that this only applies to the Bedrock Edition.

There are many different types of “packs” to buy, such as textures, skins, and custom maps such as mini-games and adventure packs. Microsoft’s connections mean you can find top-notch adventure worlds to purchase, such as Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, that don’t resemble Minecraft at all.

Roblox uses a freemium business model, although you can access most of the game without needing to pay. The most prominent use of microtransactions are with player skins – clothing for your character. You’ll also find that some games, such as Jailbreak, will also have extra purchases.

We’d say that the Minecraft way of handling microtransactions is easier to “police,” and there is often more value in what you buy than in Roblox. Part of the Roblox experience is about kitting out your character to show off to others, but all that changes with a subscription.

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Modding

Both Roblox and Minecraft support modding and hacking. In particular, Roblox is set up for this. But due to the programming language used and the interface, it’s not the most optimal for children learning to code or developing their skills.

Minecraft is top-notch when it comes to mods, especially for younger players. You can use a number of different programming languages, such as Java and Python. What’s more, there are many course platforms that let you learn to code and mod Minecraft at the same time – Tynker is one such service.

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Graphics

One of the biggest differences between Minecraft and Roblox is the overall look and feel. In Minecraft, developers structured the game around “blocks.” From the ground that the player stands on, to the enemies that he fights, the game keeps its blocky look. This makes Minecraft easier to both understand and play, especially for younger kids.

Meanwhile, Roblox adopts a more flexible approach to its base graphics. You will find “Minecraft-like” blocks, as well as the more traditional 3D graphics that you see in modern games. As such, Roblox can be an appealing option if you are looking for a game with a little more variety when it comes to how it renders worlds.

The community is the lifeblood of every video game. It represents a game’s core fanbase, as well as the first line of support for players. Because of that, a game’s community can either make or break a new player’s experience.

One of the greatest strengths of Minecraft is its massive and highly technical community. It has its own unofficial forums, wikis, and YouTube channels full of insightful players that can guide you through every level of gameplay.

Roblox players often segment themselves into highly specialized communities around custom game modes. For example, Jailbreak has its own unique wiki, as well as YouTube channels, that only cover that particular game mode.

Understanding the differences between Minecraft and Roblox is just the tip of the iceberg in choosing the right collaborative game for you and your child. Learn more about kid-friendly games by looking at some of the best world-building alternatives to Minecraft and Roblox.

Alternatively, learn how to bring PC gaming into the living room by linking your computer to your TV.

All alterations and screenshots by Ramces Red.