Compare the best flight simulators on Steam for civilian flying, combat, VR and free options, with clear picks, trade-offs and buying advice.
The best flight simulators on Steam are Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for worldwide civilian flying, X-Plane 12 for flight dynamics and an extensible desktop platform, DCS World for detailed combat, IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles for WWII, Aerofly FS 4 for smooth performance, and VTOL VR for native VR controls.
Which Steam flight simulator should you choose?
Choose according to the flying you actually want to do; no single Steam simulator leads in world scenery, aircraft systems, combat and VR interaction.
| Best for | Simulator | Why it stands out | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide civilian flying | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Detailed streamed scenery, live weather, varied aircraft and structured career activities | The richest world detail depends on a fast, stable connection; aircraft fidelity varies |
| Flight dynamics and extensibility | X-Plane 12 | Strong aerodynamic modelling, serious IFR use and extensive control over local aircraft, scenery and plugins | Default scenery is less photorealistic than MSFS 2024 |
| Detailed military aviation | DCS World Steam Edition | Deep aircraft, sensor and weapons modelling with strong VR support | The free installation has limited starter content; most flagship aircraft and maps are separate modules |
| WWII air combat | IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles | Convincing propeller combat, damage modelling and campaign sorties | Content is divided across editions and DLC, so package dependencies need checking |
| Fast loading and smooth VR | Aerofly FS 4 | Excellent frame pacing, accessible controls and sharp VR cockpits | Less depth in ATC, traffic and worldwide operations than MSFS or X-Plane |
| Purpose-built VR combat | VTOL VR | Cockpit switches and controls are designed around tracked hand controllers | It is not intended as a conventional desktop or HOTAS-first simulator |
| Free competitive flying | War Thunder | Large aircraft selection, quick matchmaking and a dedicated simulator battle mode | Aircraft systems are simplified compared with DCS, and progression affects access |
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or X-Plane 12?
Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for visual world exploration, weather and career activities; choose X-Plane 12 when aerodynamic behaviour, IFR practice and direct control over local add-ons matter more.
Both can become serious desktop simulators with the right aircraft and controls. Our side-by-side breakdown of flight modelling, scenery, performance and add-ons covers the differences that matter after the initial purchase.
DCS World or IL-2 for combat?
Pick DCS World for detailed cockpit procedures, sensors, guided weapons and modern military aircraft; pick IL-2 Great Battles for concentrated WWII campaigns, damage modelling and propeller combat.
DCS also includes historical aircraft, but each high-fidelity module can require substantial study. IL-2 gets pilots into combat faster, although it does not reproduce every cockpit system to the same depth.
Are free flight simulators on Steam any good?
Yes, but the strongest free Steam choices either sell additional content or simplify aircraft systems.
- DCS World is the best free starting point for detailed combat simulation. Treat its free content as an introduction to the platform rather than a complete aircraft collection.
- War Thunder is easier to enter and offers more aircraft without an initial purchase, but even its Simulator Battles are not equivalent to DCS-style systems modelling.
If Steam is not mandatory, our wider guide to no-cost PC flight simulators includes additional civilian and open-source choices.
Should I install DCS World through Steam?
Steam is convenient for centralised installation and updates, but DCS module purchases are not freely interchangeable between every storefront and account direction.
Decide before building a large module collection rather than assuming licences can always be moved later. We explain how DCS purchases, licences and updates differ between Steam and standalone.
Do Steam flight simulators support mods and add-ons?
Usually yes, but buying a simulator through Steam does not mean its add-ons come through Steam Workshop.
X-Plane normally keeps third-party aircraft under X-Plane 12/Aircraft and scenery under X-Plane 12/Custom Scenery. Microsoft Flight Simulator uses a Community folder whose location depends on the packages path selected during setup, while DCS commonly keeps user content outside the protected installation.
A mistake we see constantly is editing default aircraft or scenery directly. Simulator updates and Steam file verification can replace those changes, so use the simulator's designated add-on folders and keep backups. Compatible freeware can be found in our aircraft, scenery and add-on downloads library.
What should I check before buying a Steam flight simulator?
Check platform support, control requirements and the content model before treating the base price as the complete cost.
- Operating system: being sold on Steam does not automatically make a simulator compatible with macOS, Linux or Steam Deck.
- Controls: MSFS, X-Plane, DCS and IL-2 work best with a joystick, yoke or HOTAS. VTOL VR is built primarily for tracked VR controllers.
- Internet use: MSFS 2024 relies heavily on streamed world data, while multiplayer and account services add online dependencies to other titles.
- DLC structure: DCS and IL-2 divide aircraft, maps or theatres across separate products. Confirm what the base package includes.
- VR performance: a simulator running well on a monitor may still struggle at the resolution and frame rate demanded by a headset.
- Platform entitlement: a Steam purchase generally licences the PC Steam edition, not a console copy of the same simulator.