Compare the best flight simulator games for PC, from MSFS 2024 and X-Plane 12 to DCS and FlightGear, with clear picks and drawbacks.
For general PC flight simulation, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best all-round civilian choice, X-Plane 12 is strongest for a configurable, procedure-focused desktop sim, DCS World leads modern combat aviation, and FlightGear is the best genuinely free civilian option. Aerofly FS 4 also stands out for VR and efficient performance.
Best PC flight simulator games at a glance
The right simulator depends on the aircraft, missions and level of cockpit detail you want, not which one produces the most impressive screenshots.
| Simulator | Best for | Main strengths | Know before choosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Overall civilian flying | Detailed global scenery, visual weather, broad aircraft selection and a large add-on ecosystem | Demanding hardware; the best world detail relies heavily on a stable internet connection |
| X-Plane 12 | Flight dynamics, procedures and configuration | Blade-element flight modelling, flexible controls and native Windows, macOS and Linux support | Less immediate visual spectacle and more manual configuration than MSFS |
| DCS World | Modern military aviation | Detailed aircraft systems, sensors, weapons, carriers and mission flying | Most high-fidelity aircraft and additional terrain are separate modules; steep learning curve |
| IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles | Historical air combat | Convincing combat, damage modelling and Second World War aircraft | Less switch-by-switch cockpit depth than the most complex DCS modules |
| FlightGear | Free civilian flight simulation | Open-source, broad aircraft support and no base-simulator purchase | Aircraft quality, interface polish and documentation vary |
| Aerofly FS 4 | VR and efficient performance | Smooth presentation, quick loading and approachable virtual-reality flying | Smaller add-on ecosystem and less world, traffic and weather depth |
How should you choose a PC flight simulator?
Choose by intended flying style first, then check aircraft availability, computer requirements and the real cost of building the setup you want.
- Define the flying: use MSFS or X-Plane for civilian flying, DCS for modern combat, IL-2 for historical combat, and Aerofly for straightforward VR sessions.
- Check the exact aircraft: platform reputation does not guarantee that every included or add-on aeroplane has equally accurate systems. A carefully developed aircraft in one simulator can be more convincing than a weak aircraft in another.
- Match it to the PC: MSFS 2024 combines demanding graphics with streamed world data, while DCS can become particularly heavy in complex missions and VR. No simulator should be bought on minimum specifications alone.
- Count the whole setup: DCS World is free to install, but many of its detailed aircraft and maps are separate modules. Civilian simulators can also become expensive once aircraft, airports and utilities are added.
- Verify compatibility: check each must-have add-on and peripheral against the exact simulator generation. Similar branding does not mean an MSFS 2020, X-Plane 11 or older Prepar3D product will work in the newer platform.
Which flight simulator is best overall?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best overall PC flight simulator for most new civilian simmers with a suitable computer and reliable internet connection.
It covers sightseeing, general aviation, airliners and structured activities without requiring extensive scenery installation. Its world representation is the main attraction, particularly for visual navigation and flying around recognisable places.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remains sensible for an established installation with trusted add-ons and peripherals. Do not assume every 2020 product works unchanged in the 2024 simulator; compatibility needs checking product by product.
Is X-Plane 12 better than Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
X-Plane 12 is better when configuration, repeated procedural practice and its flight-model approach matter more than out-of-the-box scenery. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is usually the stronger choice for world detail, visual touring and accessibility.
X-Plane calculates aerodynamic forces using its blade-element model, but that does not make every X-Plane aircraft automatically more realistic. Systems, avionics, engine behaviour and flight-model tuning still depend on the individual aircraft developer.
We have broken down the practical differences in our detailed comparison of X-Plane 12 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, including performance, scenery and usability.
What is the best combat flight simulator for PC?
DCS World is the leading choice for detailed modern combat aircraft, helicopters, sensors and weapons employment. Its free core installation provides a useful way to assess performance, but the deepest experience comes from learning individual aircraft modules.
The term study-level applies to particular modules, not automatically to everything in DCS. Cockpit interaction, system completeness and early-access status can differ considerably between aircraft.
IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles is the better fit for Second World War air combat and players who want to reach the fighting without first studying a modern radar or weapons computer. Falcon BMS is another specialist option for F-16 operations and a dynamic campaign, although it requires a legitimate Falcon 4.0 installation and more initial setup.
A common mistake is buying several complex combat modules at once. Learn one aircraft, bind only the controls required for its first training missions, and expand the setup as new systems become relevant.
What is the best free flight simulator for PC?
FlightGear is the best fully free, open-source civilian flight simulator for PC. It offers a complete platform rather than a short trial, although its aircraft and scenery vary because they come from many different contributors.
Expect more setup work and less consistency than in a commercial simulator. Our downloadable FlightGear package for PC provides a practical starting point.
DCS World is also free to start, but it serves a different purpose: military flying with a limited selection of included content and optional paid modules. A free simulator is not necessarily a low-spec simulator; complex scenery, weather and high resolution can still expose weak hardware.
Are FSX and Prepar3D still worth using?
Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Prepar3D remain useful mainly for established legacy installations. They make sense when a specific aircraft, scenery package, training workflow or hardware panel depends on them.
FSX is a 32-bit simulator and can encounter out-of-memory errors with dense scenery and complex aircraft even when the PC has plenty of physical RAM. Its older engine can also be limited by main-thread performance, so installing it on a newer computer does not guarantee consistently smooth frame rates.
Prepar3D improved the underlying platform across successive generations, but add-on compatibility is fragmented between major versions. Its licensing is aimed at training, education and professional use rather than conventional entertainment, so prospective users should check the applicable licence against their intended use.
Neither platform should be a new simmer's automatic choice simply because it is older. If hardware is the limiting factor, use our guide to choosing a flight simulator for a low-end PC rather than assuming FSX will run well.
Do you need a joystick for PC flight simulator games?
You do not need a joystick to start, but an analogue controller is strongly recommended. A keyboard and mouse can operate menus and cockpit controls, while a gamepad is adequate for initial flights. Neither gives the fine pitch, roll, rudder and throttle control of a proper flight stick.
A twist-grip joystick with a small throttle axis is the most versatile first purchase. A yoke suits many general-aviation aircraft and airliners, while separate rudder pedals become especially valuable for helicopters, taildraggers, crosswind landings and coordinated turns.
Duplicate axis assignments are a frequent cause of twitching controls and unexplained throttle movement. After connecting new hardware, check that pitch, roll, rudder and throttle are each assigned to only one intended device. Add a dead zone only when an axis genuinely jitters; excessive dead zone makes accurate flying harder.
Our explanation of the controls needed for a PC flight simulator covers sensible gamepad, joystick, yoke, throttle and pedal setups without requiring a full cockpit.