You and your crew are hyped to build a floating fortress and outsmart the shark, but there’s a catch.
One friend is on PC, another just picked up a PS5, and someone else swears by their Xbox. Before anyone spends money, the real question comes up: Is Raft cross-platform?
It’s a fair thing to check, because nothing kills game night faster than learning your squad can’t actually play together. Raft’s multiplayer picture changed for the better not long ago.
This guide breaks down whether crossplay is officially supported and which systems are compatible, so you know exactly what to expect.
What Is Crossplay in Video Games?
Crossplay, or cross-platform play, lets gamers on different systems join the same online session.
Instead of only teaming up with people who own the exact console or storefront you do, crossplay removes that wall.
For co-op survival games, it means a PC player can build and explore alongside friends on PlayStation or Xbox in one shared world.
The appeal is obvious: more people can play together regardless of hardware, matchmaking fills faster, and communities stay active far longer.
It also saves you from buying a second console just to join a friend. In short, crossplay makes multiplayer more flexible and accessible, which matters a lot for a game built around surviving the ocean as a team.
Is Raft Cross-Platform?
Yes, Raft is cross-platform. Raft was released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and with this, a new Beta Version was published on Steam.
This introduced Crossplay between PC and Consoles, Controller Support, and In-Game Voice Chat.
Publisher Axolot Games and developer Redbeet Interactive released the game for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series on December 4, 2024.
That means a PC player, a PS5 player, and an Xbox Series X/S player can all survive in the same world together, fully and officially.
It’s full crossplay, not a watered-down version where you only get random matchmaking. There are limits worth knowing, though.
Which Platforms Can Play Raft Together?
Once you know that Raft is cross-platform, the next thing to sort out is exactly who can join.
Here’s the clear breakdown of which systems share Raft’s servers and which ones get left out, so you know who can join before you send an invite:
1. PC (Steam) Crossplay
PC players on Windows via Steam sit at the center of Raft’s crossplay.
They can host a world or join friends on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S with no restrictions, and PC play doesn’t require any paid online subscription.
The Steam version also gained controller support alongside the console launch, so a gamepad works fine if you prefer it.
With up to eight players per session, a PC host can welcome console friends into the same ocean right away.
2. PlayStation 5 Crossplay
PlayStation 5 owners can play Raft with friends on PC and Xbox Series X/S without barriers.
Linking up works through the game’s room code system rather than the PlayStation friends list, so you don’t need mutual platform accounts to connect.
Keep in mind you’ll typically need an active PlayStation Plus subscription for online multiplayer.
Once you’re in, the co-op experience matches what players on every other supported platform see.
3. Xbox Series X/S Crossplay
Xbox Series X and Series S players join the same crossplay pool as PC and PS5. Both Xbox models are fully supported, so your hardware tier never splits the squad.
As with other online console play, you’ll generally need an active Xbox subscription such as Game Pass Core to team up online.
Hosting and joining then work just as it do everywhere else, with one shared code dropping the whole group into the same game.
Platforms You Can’t Play Raft On
Raft is not playable on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch.
The console version was built only for current-generation hardware, so it runs on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S; older systems have no native version at all.
There’s no mobile or handheld release either, which rules out phones, tablets, and the Switch entirely.
If a friend is still on a PS4 or Xbox One, they can’t join your world, and upgrading to a supported console is the only way in for now.
The older hardware simply couldn’t keep up with the game’s demanding water physics and sprawling raft builds.
How to Play Raft Crossplay With Friends?
Connecting across platforms in Raft is refreshingly simple because it skips friend-list linking entirely. There’s no complicated account setup and no matchmaking queue to sit through.
Here’s how to get your crew into the same world:
- Enable crossplay: Make sure crossplay is turned on in the game’s settings before you start.
- Host a game: One player hosts a world and gets a unique room code.
- Share the code: Send that code to friends, no matter what platform they’re on.
- Join in: Everyone enters the code to drop into the same session.
Because the system uses codes instead of platform-specific invites, a Steam player doesn’t need to see a PlayStation friend list.
Once everyone’s in, in-game voice chat keeps the whole crew coordinated while you fend off sharks, gather debris, and expand your raft into something worth defending.
Does Raft Support Cross-Save or Cross-Progression?
No. Raft does not support cross-progression, and saves and unlocks stay tied to the platform where you earned them.
If you play a solo world on PC and later start playing on PS5, that PC progress won’t follow you across, and the same goes the other way.
This is a common limitation for games that add console versions after a long PC-only run, since syncing save data across separate storefronts and platform accounts adds real technical overhead.
In practice, it mostly matters if you personally split time between two systems. For group play, it’s less of a problem because progress in a shared world is tied to the host’s save.
Alternate Survival Games With Crossplay Support
If crossplay across all devices is a must for your group, several survival and co-op titles go beyond Raft.
These options keep your squad connected regardless of hardware, including friends stuck on older consoles that Raft doesn’t reach.
- Grounded: Lets players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC shrink down and survive the backyard together.
- ARK: Survival Ascended: This game supports cross-platform play across PC and current consoles for its dinosaur-taming sandbox.
- Don’t Starve Together: Added crossplay so PC, PlayStation, and Xbox survivors can share its dark wilderness.
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition): Remains the gold standard, linking consoles, PC, mobile, and more in one world.
- No Man’s Sky: It offers full cross-platform play across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and VR.
Conclusion
So, is Raft cross-platform? Yes, and that’s a real win for anyone who wants to survive the ocean with friends.
Since the December 2024 console launch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S players can all share the same world, with built-in controller support and voice chat.
The main catches are that older consoles like the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch are left out, and your progress won’t transfer between platforms.
As long as everyone is on a supported system, teaming up is as easy as sharing a session code.
Knowing these details upfront saves you from buying into the wrong platform and helps your whole crew set sail together from day one.
Which platform are you playing Raft on? Drop a comment below and tell us how crossplay has worked for your crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raft Free to Play?
No, Raft is a paid game. You’ll need to buy it on Steam, the PlayStation Store, or the Xbox Store, though it stays fairly budget-friendly.
Does Raft Have Split-Screen or Local Co-Op?
No, Raft has no split-screen or couch co-op. Each player needs their own system and copy of the game to survive together online.
Do Console Players Need a Subscription for Raft Crossplay?
Usually yes. Console players need an active subscription such as PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core to access cross-platform features, while PC play is free.
