What is the latest version of Minecraft?
The latest Java Edition release is 26.3, out on 15 Sep 2026, and the newest snapshot is 26.4-snapshot-6. This list is read from Mojang's own launcher manifest, the same file the official launcher uses to offer versions, and it is refreshed whenever VGKami releases the page, so the read date under Sources tells you how fresh it is.
Release, snapshot, beta, alpha: what's the difference?
Releases are the stable versions most servers and modpacks target. Snapshots are weekly test builds of the next update: they can break worlds, so play them on a copy. Betas and alphas are the historical builds from before the full launch; the first full release in the manifest is 1.0 (17 Nov 2011).
Which version should my server run?
Match what your players' mods and plugins support. Many plugin servers stay one release behind the newest until their plugins update, and modpacks often pin an older release for months. If you rent a server, most hosts on our Minecraft hosting list let you switch versions from their panel.
Why do the newest versions look different?
The newest entries in Mojang's manifest use a new naming pattern: releases such as 26.3, and snapshots that carry the next release's number plus a count, such as 26.4-snapshot-6. Older names, the 1.x releases and the week-based snapshots like 24w14a, stay in the list exactly as Mojang published them, so you can still find any version by the name you remember.
Can I play an old version?
Yes. In the official launcher, open Installations, create a new one and pick any version from this list (turn on snapshots and historical versions in the launcher's settings to see them all). Back up your world before you open it in a different version.