Aerosoft VDGS vs GSX VDGS: which is better for MSFS?
Compare Aerosoft VDGS and GSX Pro VDGS for MSFS 2020 and 2024, including airport support, profiles, stop accuracy, conflicts and console limits.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator, Aerosoft VDGS is better at airports whose scenery was built around it, while GSX Pro VDGS is the stronger all-round option across a wider route network. The decisive factors are exact scenery support, a matching GSX airport profile, correct aircraft stop data and avoiding two guidance systems at one stand.
Aerosoft VDGS vs GSX VDGS at a glance
| Criterion | Aerosoft VDGS | GSX Pro VDGS |
|---|---|---|
| Best use | Docking at scenery specifically authored to use Aerosoft VDGS | Parking guidance across numerous airports alongside GSX services |
| Airport coverage | Limited to compatible scenery and supported stands | Potentially broader, although airport-profile quality varies |
| Stopping accuracy | Usually excellent when the scenery, VDGS component and aircraft data agree | Excellent with accurate airport and aircraft profiles; less predictable with generic data |
| Visual integration | The scenery developer controls the unit, placement and stand geometry | Placement and unit selection come from GSX configuration or an airport profile |
| Maintenance | Requires compatible scenery and a working Aerosoft VDGS component | Requires GSX, Couatl and profiles that still match the installed scenery |
| Other functions | Focused on docking guidance | Also supplies marshalling, pushback, boarding, baggage, catering and other ground handling |
VDGS means visual docking guidance system. GSX sometimes labels its feature VGDS; the wording is reversed, but it describes the same type of gate guidance.
Aerosoft VDGS is not a universal overlay that activates displays at every Microsoft Flight Simulator airport. The airport scenery must contain compatible stands and display objects, as explained in our guide to how the VDGS component, activation and compatible scenery fit together.
GSX Pro treats docking as one part of a larger airport-service package. Our guide to GSX parking guidance and ground handling covers the wider package if pushback, passengers and ramp vehicles matter as much as the final stop position.
Which parking guidance system should you choose?
Choose the system that matches your airport library rather than judging the display graphics alone.
- Choose Aerosoft VDGS when a frequently used airport explicitly supports or requires it. This preserves the scenery developer’s intended display location, stand geometry and visual design.
- Choose GSX Pro VDGS when you fly to many airports, already use GSX ground services or want parking guidance that can be configured through airport profiles.
- Keep GSX if you already own it and have accurate profiles for your main airports. Buying another product solely for a different docking display rarely fixes incorrect parking data.
- Use the scenery’s built-in guidance when it already provides a working system. Adding another VDGS can create duplicate units and contradictory stop commands.
Aerosoft is the stronger pure docking choice at an airport designed around its technology. GSX offers better overall value when the objective is consistent ground handling across a varied route network.
What makes one VDGS more accurate than the other?
Stopping accuracy depends primarily on scenery and profile data, not on whether the display carries an Aerosoft or GSX label.
- Display placement: the physical VDGS unit must face the correct stand centreline and sit within its intended detection area.
- Parking geometry: the simulator parking position, painted centreline and visual stop target must agree. These can become misaligned after a scenery update.
- Aircraft recognition: the system needs the correct aircraft type and geometry. Stretched and shortened variants cannot always share one stop reference.
- Approach: joining the centreline late, approaching at an angle or taxiing too quickly can cause late detection or an abrupt
STOPinstruction.
A display can look perfectly integrated yet still stop the aircraft too early because its underlying stand position is wrong. Conversely, a less elaborate GSX unit can be accurate when its profile has been carefully matched to the scenery.
Why do Aerosoft VDGS and GSX show different stop positions?
Different stop commands usually indicate mismatched airport data, aircraft geometry or two active guidance systems.
- Confirm the active scenery. Remove or disable duplicate versions of the same airport. GSX may otherwise read parking data that does not match the buildings, markings and jetways displayed by MSFS.
- Verify the exact GSX profile. Matching the ICAO code is not enough. The profile must be for the same scenery product, simulator release and airport layout.
- Check the aircraft variant. Make sure GSX recognises the aircraft actually being flown rather than a related model with different length, door or gear geometry.
- Use one visual guide. Do not follow a scenery VDGS, GSX VDGS and GSX marshaller simultaneously. They may reference different stopping points.
- Approach correctly. Establish on the stand centreline early and reduce to walking pace before the final guidance phase.
- Recheck after updates. Airport revisions can move parking positions, jetways or markings while leaving an older GSX profile unchanged.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Display remains blank | Unsupported stand, inactive VDGS component or incompatible scenery | Confirm that the exact airport and stand advertise support |
STOP appears too early or late | Wrong stand position, profile or aircraft geometry | Test without a third-party profile, then verify the aircraft definition |
| Wrong aircraft type is displayed | Aircraft recognition or profile error | Check the selected aircraft variant and GSX configuration |
| Marshaller and VDGS appear together | Overlapping GSX and scenery guidance | Disable one guide for that parking position |
| Only some stands work | Partial scenery integration | Check which gates the airport developer actually equipped |
What must an Aerosoft EDDF GSX profile match?
An Aerosoft EDDF GSX profile must match the exact Aerosoft Frankfurt scenery and its installed layout, not merely the EDDF airport code.
A profile made for default EDDF, another developer’s Frankfurt scenery or an older terminal layout can put vehicles, jetways and parking guidance several metres away from their intended positions. Check that the profile identifies the same scenery product, Microsoft Flight Simulator release and revision you use.
The profile configures GSX around the airport; it does not install, activate or repair Aerosoft VDGS. If the scenery already supplies working Aerosoft displays, use the GSX profile for services and pushback without placing a second visual guide at those stands.
Can Aerosoft VDGS and GSX be used together?
Both products can remain installed, but only one should issue visual parking instructions at a particular stand.
- Keep Aerosoft VDGS active at airports authored around it.
- Retain GSX ground services but configure those parking positions so GSX does not add a competing marshaller or VDGS unit.
- Use GSX guidance elsewhere at airports without compatible Aerosoft displays.
A mistake we see often is assuming that one package must be uninstalled completely. The conflict is stand-specific: duplicate guidance is the problem, not the presence of both products on the PC. If Aerosoft must be turned off at a conflicting airport, follow the steps for disabling Aerosoft VDGS without removing unrelated scenery.
Do GSX Pro and Aerosoft VDGS work in MSFS 2024?
Both systems can work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PC, but compatibility must cover the guidance software, airport scenery and profile rather than the simulator alone.
Does GSX Pro VDGS work in MSFS 2024?
GSX Pro’s MSFS edition can provide VDGS in MSFS 2024 on PC when its GSX and Couatl components are compatible and correctly installed. Do not assume that an MSFS 2020 airport profile is spatially correct in MSFS 2024; compare the parking positions with the actual 2024 scenery.
Does Aerosoft VDGS work in MSFS 2024?
Aerosoft VDGS can work in MSFS 2024 where the VDGS component and exact airport scenery support it. A display that remains blank, never detects the aircraft or works only at selected gates needs airport-specific diagnosis; our focused MSFS 2024 VDGS fault checklist covers those failure modes.
This comparison is chiefly relevant to PC. MSFS 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5/PS5 Pro, while MSFS 2020 remains a PC and Xbox release. GSX Pro relies on the external Couatl process and is therefore not a console option. A PC Aerosoft installer cannot be transferred to a console either; use a console VDGS only when that exact scenery and product listing explicitly support the platform.
Which VDGS is better overall?
Aerosoft VDGS wins for airport-specific integration, while GSX Pro wins for coverage, customisation and ground services. Use Aerosoft at scenery built around it. Choose GSX as the more practical single package for a broad network, provided suitable profiles exist and you are prepared to correct inaccurate stand data.