Can you play Minecraft without a server for two?

I would like to play Minecraft for two with my brother (laptop). We both bought it and also both accounts. Is a server absolutely necessary for this, or is there another way?

Open LAN game in a world.

You can, if you both play in the same network since one (preferably the one with the better computer) opens the world via "LAN".

You can find the corresponding setting in the Escape menu when you are in the game. The other person can then join through multiplayer.

If you are in the same WLAN, someone can open the world in the LAN. You do this by going to esc and then opening Imlan. With the other, the world then appears in the multiplayer

Yes, that is possible.

Possibility Number 1:

Someone of you creates a single player world and you use the function "Connect to Lan". So you play in this world for two.

Possibility 2:

You buy yourself a realm. I do not recommend that.

But you already know that Realm runs on a server? ^^

Creating a server is not difficult if your laptop does not have as much power (RAM) but you can in theory play together if you host your server directly on your PC without paying anything. You can easily find your IP address e.g. On "how is my ip"

Yes, of course they run on a server.

However, this does not have to be managed yourself, but simply buy a realm from Minecraft and you can start playing.

Thank you so much!

I'm happy if I could help.