On PC you get both editions in one purchase (Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition), so the real question is which one to play. Short answer:
More detail on the server side: Java vs Bedrock servers. Which one do you play and why?
Choose Java if you…
- want mods (Fabric, NeoForge), shaders and huge modpacks
- play on big PC servers and minigame networks
- like technical redstone and farms (Java redstone behaves more predictably)
- use the F3 debug screen a lot
Choose Bedrock if you…
- play with friends on phone, Xbox, PlayStation or Switch (crossplay)
- have a weaker PC – Bedrock usually runs smoother
- want Marketplace maps, skins and add-ons
- want the official Vibrant Visuals graphics on supported devices
Can they play together?
Not directly. But many servers run Geyser, which lets Bedrock players join a Java server. Look for servers marked as Java + Bedrock: Bedrock servers. For server owners: how to make a crossplay server.Same content?
Mojang releases the same drops for both, usually around the same time (Chaos Cubed, Wilderness Bound, the coming Ice Caves). Small differences stay: Java has Sweeping Edge, Bedrock has different redstone timing.More detail on the server side: Java vs Bedrock servers. Which one do you play and why?