What are the best flight simulator games for PC?
For most people, the best flight simulator games for PC are Microsoft Flight Simulator for overall civilian flying, X-Plane for sim-first handling and procedures, DCS World for combat aviation, and FlightGear if you need a free option. FSX and Prepar3D still suit legacy add-ons, established setups, and some older hardware.
Best PC flight simulator games at a glance
These are the best options, split by the kind of flying each one does best.
| Simulator | Best for | Why choose it | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator | Best overall civilian sim | Superb world coverage, approachable learning curve, huge add-on ecosystem | Can be demanding on hardware |
| X-Plane | Best for handling and procedures | Strong sim-first feel, good for repeated practice and cockpit workflow | Less instant visual wow out of the box |
| DCS World | Best combat flight simulator | Deep military aircraft, weapons, sensors and mission flying | Not a civilian world-flying sim |
| FlightGear | Best free option | Genuinely free, broad scope, good learning platform | Rougher setup and presentation |
| FSX / Prepar3D | Best for legacy setups | Huge back catalogue of older aircraft and scenery | Ageing platform habits and compatibility quirks |
We see one buying mistake constantly: people choose by screenshots alone. The right simulator depends far more on what you want to fly than on which trailer looked best.
How should you choose between them?
Choose by flying style first, then by hardware and budget.
- Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator if you want the best all-round civilian sim, especially for visual flying, GA touring, weather and a large modern add-on ecosystem.
- Choose X-Plane if you care most about hand-flying, cockpit procedures and a traditional desktop-sim feel.
- Choose DCS World if your goal is military aircraft, weapons, carrier work and mission-based flying.
- Choose FlightGear if the budget is zero. Choose FSX or Prepar3D only when you specifically need legacy aircraft, scenery or hardware support.
- Check your PC before you buy. A poor match between simulator and hardware causes more frustration than any learning curve; our guide to the best flight simulator for a low-end PC is useful if your machine is modest.
Which PC flight simulator is best overall?
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the best overall answer for most PC players because it balances accessibility, believable scenery and room to grow better than anything else. It works for casual sightseeing, serious route flying and learning basic procedures without forcing you into one niche.
Its weak point is simple: hardware appetite. People often buy it for the scenery and then spend the first week trimming settings rather than learning to fly. If you do choose it, our Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons section shows why so many simmers build around it long term.
Is X-Plane better than Microsoft Flight Simulator?
X-Plane is better for some simmers, especially if you value aircraft behaviour and cockpit workflow over visual spectacle. It tends to appeal to people who enjoy circuits, instrument practice and repeating the same approach until the flying feels right.
The common misunderstanding is expecting it to win on exactly the same terms as Microsoft Flight Simulator. It usually wins on sim feel and repeatability, not on instant wow factor. Our X-Plane add-ons library is a quick way to judge the depth of its freeware ecosystem.
What if you want the best combat flight simulator on PC?
DCS World is the clear choice if your idea of the best flight simulator game means fast jets, helicopters, sensors, weapons employment and military mission design. It is exceptionally strong when you want to learn one aircraft deeply rather than roam a civilian world.
Where buyers go wrong is assuming every flight sim solves the same problem. DCS is superb for combat aviation, but it is not the right pick for airline schedules or relaxed cross-country touring. Our overview of DCS World for PC explains that niche in more detail.
What if your budget is tight or you prefer older PC sims?
FlightGear is the best genuinely free option. Expect a rougher first impression and more manual setup than the paid sims, but it gives you a real platform to learn on without buying the base simulator.
FSX and Prepar3D still make sense when you already own legacy add-ons, fly with older hardware panels, or want to stay inside an established setup. New users should only pick them for those reasons. Otherwise, the next problem tends to be old installers, compatibility quirks and add-ons that show their age.
Do you need a joystick for PC flight simulator games?
Yes, if you plan to stick with the hobby. Keyboard and mouse input is enough to test a simulator, but not enough to judge how good it really is for take-offs, trim, flare, rudder work or formation flying.
Start with a basic joystick or yoke that includes a throttle axis and a few buttons for trim, brakes and views. Rudder pedals are helpful later, not essential on day one.
If you are still undecided, buy Microsoft Flight Simulator. Choose X-Plane when flying feel and procedures matter more than scenery, DCS World for combat, and FlightGear when free matters most. Keep FSX or Prepar3D for legacy reasons, not because they look like the cheapest way in.