Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is our best overall pick. Compare it with X-Plane 12, DCS World and other choices for realism, VR and budget.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best flight simulator game for most people because it combines a convincing global world, broad aircraft selection, live weather, accessible assists and serious cockpit simulation. Choose X-Plane 12 for flight dynamics and procedure-focused desktop use, or DCS World if combat is the point.
Why is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 the best overall?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers the strongest all-round mixture of worldwide flying, detailed aircraft, visual realism and structured activities. It can take a newcomer from assisted sightseeing to airliner procedures without forcing them to change simulators.
Its main weakness is its reliance on streamed data. A fast computer cannot compensate for an unstable connection when scenery is loading poorly, while complex aircraft and busy airports can still expose CPU or memory limits. Owners of modest PCs should not choose it from screenshots alone.
It is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remains limited to PC and Xbox; it was never released for PlayStation.
Which flight simulator is best for each type of player?
The right choice depends more on what you intend to fly than on which simulator has the best graphics.
| Priority | Best choice | Why | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall civilian simulator | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Global scenery, weather, varied aircraft and approachable assists | Heavy use of streamed content and demanding detailed locations |
| Flight dynamics and desktop flexibility | X-Plane 12 | Strong flight-model tools, broad operating-system support and a mature add-on structure | Aircraft quality varies, and attractive results may require more configuration |
| Modern military aviation | DCS World | Detailed combat aircraft, weapons, sensors and mission systems | PC only, with a steep learning curve and many aircraft sold as separate modules |
| Free and open-source flying | FlightGear | No licence cost, open development and extensive aircraft experimentation | Visual consistency, documentation and aircraft quality are uneven |
Prepar3D still makes sense for established training, commercial or legacy add-on workflows, but it is rarely our first recommendation for someone starting from scratch. Our detailed comparison of MSFS, X-Plane and Prepar3D covers that choice without treating the three as interchangeable.
Which flight simulator is the most realistic?
No simulator is the most realistic in every area because flight model, aircraft systems, weather, scenery and control feel are separate parts of realism.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is especially convincing for worldwide visual flying, weather and geographical recognition.
- X-Plane 12 suits users who want to inspect, tune and compare aircraft behaviour or build a procedure-focused desktop setup.
- DCS World is the stronger choice when realism means military sensors, weapons, damage and combat procedures.
The individual aircraft often matters more than the simulator. A carefully modelled add-on can reproduce electrical, hydraulic and navigation systems far better than a simplified default aircraft in the same program. Check the specific aircraft rather than assuming every cockpit has equal depth.
Control setup also changes the result. Duplicate axis assignments, an uncalibrated joystick or an oversized dead zone can make an accurate flight model feel wrong. Clear conflicting bindings and calibrate pitch, roll, yaw and throttle before judging handling.
A home simulator installation is not automatically an approved flight-training device. It can be excellent for learning cockpit flows, navigation and instrument procedures, but formal training credit depends on the complete certified hardware and software configuration.
Does the platform change the recommendation?
Platform choice sharply narrows the available simulators, add-ons and compatible flight controls.
PC provides the widest selection, including Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, DCS World and FlightGear. It also gives users direct access to community files and extensive graphics settings; our PC-specific flight simulator shortlist breaks down the alternatives by hardware and flying style.
On Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the clear general-purpose choice. On PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, it is also the leading full-world civilian simulator and the first Microsoft Flight Simulator released on a PlayStation console. Readers comparing it with lighter aviation games can use our detailed PS5 simulator recommendations.
Console users should check peripheral compatibility carefully. A USB joystick or HOTAS working on PC does not mean it will work on Xbox or PlayStation, and consoles do not support PC-style Community-folder modifications.
What is the best flight simulator for a beginner?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the easiest broad recommendation for a beginner because it supports controllers, assists, training activities and simple aircraft without blocking later progression.
Start in a basic piston aircraft rather than an airliner. A Cessna-class trainer gives the pilot time to understand trim, coordinated turns, circuit procedures and energy management. X-Plane 12 is also a sound first simulator for someone primarily interested in structured civilian practice, while DCS makes sense only when combat aircraft are the main attraction.
Our beginner flight simulator recommendations cover easier alternatives and the controls needed to get started.
What mistakes should you avoid before buying?
The most expensive mistake is buying a simulator before checking the aircraft, platform and type of flying it actually supports.
- Do not choose from graphics alone. Confirm that the simulator models the aircraft, navigation equipment, failures or combat systems you want to use.
- Check the exact edition. An aircraft shown in promotional material may belong to a higher edition or a separate add-on rather than the standard package.
- Do not assume add-ons transfer. Aircraft and scenery made for another simulator, or even an earlier generation of the same simulator, may need an update or may not work at all.
- Allow for internet and storage requirements. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 depends heavily on streaming, while locally installed scenery in other simulators can consume substantial drive space.
- Buy controls gradually. A gamepad or basic joystick is enough to establish what you enjoy. Add a throttle quadrant, pedals or cockpit panels only after checking simulator and platform compatibility.
For most buyers, the answer remains Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. X-Plane 12 is the better fit when desktop flexibility and flight-model work take priority, while DCS World is the clear specialist choice for modern air combat.