Best flight simulator

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

The best flight simulator depends on what you're looking for in terms of realism, aircraft variety, and personal preferences. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top flight simulators available today:

1. Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

Platform: PC (Windows), Xbox Series X/S
Price: Paid (various editions)
Overview: Widely regarded as the best overall flight simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) offers breathtaking graphics, real-world weather, and highly detailed aircraft and scenery. The realism is remarkable, especially in terms of flight dynamics, terrain, and weather simulation. This simulator is great for both beginners and experienced pilots, thanks to its accessibility and depth. The base game includes a variety of aircraft, with more available through expansions or mods.
Pros: Stunning visuals, detailed world, real-time weather, highly accurate aerodynamics, and large modding community.
Cons: Requires a powerful PC for optimal performance, some aircraft and features are locked behind premium versions.

2. X-Plane 12

Platform: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Price: Paid (base game + additional content)
Overview: X-Plane is known for its high level of realism, especially in terms of flight physics. It is widely used by both enthusiasts and professionals for training and flight testing. X-Plane 12 continues this tradition with detailed weather systems, realistic aircraft flight models, and extensive modding support. It’s an excellent choice if you're looking for a simulator that prioritizes realism and technical accuracy.
Pros: Highly accurate flight dynamics, detailed physics engine, great for training, wide range of add-ons.
Cons: Not as visually stunning as Microsoft Flight Simulator, steep learning curve.

3. Prepar3D (by Lockheed Martin)

Platform: PC (Windows)
Price: Paid (various editions)
Overview: Prepar3D (pronounced "prepared") is another professional-grade simulator used by aviation schools, pilots, and military personnel for training. It offers high realism, robust aircraft modeling, and dynamic weather. While it’s quite similar to the older versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator (pre-2020), it focuses heavily on realistic flight physics and visual fidelity.
Pros: Excellent for training and realism, strong developer support.
Cons: Expensive, a steeper learning curve, not as visually immersive as Microsoft Flight Simulator.

4. Aerofly FS 2023

Platform: PC (Windows), macOS, iOS, Android
Price: Paid
Overview: Aerofly FS 2023 offers a more user-friendly and visually impressive experience with less complexity compared to the other options. While it isn’t as realistic as Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane, it’s perfect for users who want a balance of fun and realism. It includes a variety of aircraft and detailed landscapes, and it’s a great option for casual simmers or those who want something that doesn’t require as much hardware.
Pros: Easy to learn, visually stunning, great for casual users.
Cons: Less realistic than others, fewer aircraft and add-ons compared to competitors.

5. FlightGear

Platform: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Price: Free (open-source)
Overview: FlightGear is a completely free, open-source flight simulator. While it doesn't have the same level of polish or advanced features as the others, it’s still highly capable and offers a variety of aircraft and environments. For anyone on a budget, it’s a fantastic starting point, and the open-source nature means it has a dedicated community continually working on improvements and add-ons.
Pros: Completely free, customizable, large selection of aircraft.
Cons: Less polished visuals, less realistic flight physics than paid options.

6. IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles Series

Platform: PC (Windows)
Price: Paid (varies by edition)
Overview: If you're interested in WWII-era combat flight simulators, IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles Series is the gold standard. It offers incredibly detailed and realistic flight physics, damage modeling, and a variety of aircraft from the WWII era. It’s focused more on combat than civilian aviation but provides a deep and immersive experience for history buffs and combat flight enthusiasts.
Pros: Detailed aircraft, dynamic weather, immersive WWII campaigns.
Cons: Focused on combat rather than civilian flight, a bit niche for non-combat enthusiasts.

7. DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator)

Platform: PC (Windows)
Price: Free base game, additional content available for purchase
Overview: For those interested in military flight simulation, DCS World is one of the most realistic combat simulators available. While the base game is free, it only includes a few aircraft. Additional planes and content, ranging from historical WWII aircraft to modern jets, are available for purchase. The flight physics, weapons systems, and combat environment are incredibly detailed and immersive, making it ideal for serious combat flight sim enthusiasts.
Pros: Incredible realism, detailed combat systems, highly immersive.
Cons: Steep learning curve, additional aircraft and content come with extra costs.

8. Aerosoft Airliner Simulator

Platform: PC (Windows)
Price: Paid
Overview: If you’re specifically interested in flying airliners, the Aerosoft Airliner Simulator focuses on the airline experience, offering detailed aircraft, airport layouts, and systems operations. It is designed for users who want to simulate the experience of flying commercial jets rather than general aviation aircraft.
Pros: Excellent airliner models, highly detailed cockpit and systems.
Cons: Less variety in terms of aircraft types, focused on airliner flying rather than general aviation.

Conclusion:

Best All-Around: Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) – for stunning visuals, realism, and accessibility.
Best for Realism: X-Plane 12 – for flight dynamics and highly accurate physics.
Best for Training: Prepar3D – used in professional settings.
Best for WWII Combat: IL-2 Sturmovik – for historical, combat-focused flight experiences.
Best Free Option: FlightGear – for a no-cost, open-source experience.