What are the best freeware add-ons for MSFS 2024?

The best freeware add-ons for MSFS 2024 are a 2024-documented FlyByWire A32NX build, complete standalone aircraft released specifically for 2024, hand-built airports, Little Navmap, and carefully matched liveries or cockpit upgrades. Aircraft included with the simulator are free extras, not freeware add-ons, and every package must match your platform, edition and simulator build.

Best freeware add-ons for MSFS 2024: quick shortlist

For most PC installations, start with one well-supported aircraft, one local airport and an external planning utility rather than filling the Community folder immediately.

Our recommendations are deliberately strict about version labels. “Works with Flight Simulator” is not enough: the description or release notes should name Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and preferably the supported release channel or simulator update.

Best freeware aircraft add-ons for MSFS 2024

The best free planes for MSFS 2024 are complete aircraft or clearly documented enhancement packages whose systems, flight model and dependencies have been checked against the 2024 simulator generation.

Best free airliner: FlyByWire A32NX

The FlyByWire A32NX is our first choice for a freeware MSFS 2024 airliner when an explicitly supported 2024 build is available. It is a complete, separately selectable community aircraft with substantial Airbus avionics, flight-management functions, cockpit systems and an electronic flight bag. It does not become compatible merely because an older A32NX folder appears in the aircraft menu.

Use the project’s documented installation method and release channel. If only one channel is identified for MSFS 2024, do not substitute an older stable, development or experimental package simply because its folder has the same name. Remove obsolete manual copies before allowing an installer to manage the aircraft.

The FlyByWire A380X is the stronger free choice for long-haul Airbus flying, but it should be treated as a separate, complete aircraft rather than an A32NX livery. Its larger model and more complex cockpit can also place heavier demands on memory and processor performance. Our MSFS freeware library for aircraft and supporting add-ons contains further choices, but each download still needs a specific MSFS 2024 compatibility check.

Best general-aviation choices

For general aviation, a good Cessna 152 or 172 improvement mod can be more useful than an unfamiliar standalone aeroplane because it improves an aircraft already suited to circuits, navigation training and short cross-country flights.

The dependency is the catch. A JPL Cessna 152 enhancement, for example, is not a complete C152 and requires the corresponding base aircraft. Confirm that the base model is available to your edition of MSFS 2024, that the enhancement release names MSFS 2024, and that no older copy of the same mod is installed.

Choose a standalone GA package instead when you want a distinct airframe, cockpit and flight model. Its archive should identify itself as a complete aircraft and should not list a default Cessna, another freeware project or a premium-edition aircraft as a prerequisite.

Best vintage aircraft and improvement mods

For vintage flying, the Duckworks DC-3 enhancement is a strong candidate when its exact release is documented for MSFS 2024. It improves the simulator’s DC-3 rather than supplying a complete independent aircraft, so the required Microsoft or Asobo base package must also be available.

This distinction explains many missing-aircraft reports. An enhancement may contain cockpit, systems or flight-model files and still lack the exterior model or licence needed to create a new aircraft entry. If the required DC-3 is unavailable, repeatedly reinstalling the enhancement will not fix it.

Best specialist freeware aircraft

Specialist aircraft should be chosen by role and documented support rather than by screenshots. A compatible Delta Simulations C-17 build is a useful standalone option for heavy transport and military cargo flying; gliders, bush aircraft and experimental types may be better for low-speed handling or off-airport operations.

Expect systems depth to vary. A complete exterior, animated cargo door and working cockpit do not automatically mean that electrical, hydraulic, navigation and autopilot systems are modelled to airliner-training depth. Read the limitations as closely as the feature list.

Best free airports and scenery for MSFS 2024

The best free MSFS 2024 scenery is a hand-built replacement for an airport or region you actually visit, with accurate parking, taxi signs, aprons, lighting and recognisable buildings.

• Airport scenery: replaces or extends one ICAO location. Most packages are standalone, but some require a shared object or material library.
• City and landmark packs: add recognisable buildings, bridges, towers or harbour structures. They may overlap with photogrammetry or another landmark package.
• Mesh and elevation fixes: alter terrain shape. Use only one package for the same area unless the documentation explains their ordering.
• Vegetation, water and shoreline fixes: correct local placement rather than replacing an entire region. Old fixes can become redundant after a simulator world update.

Do not install two airports covering the same ICAO merely to compare them. Duplicate runways, floating terminal buildings, broken jetways and doubled windsocks are common signs of overlapping scenery. Keep one version active, then test it during daylight and at night.

A scenery package made for MSFS 2020 may display in MSFS 2024 while retaining misplaced terrain, missing materials or incompatible airport services. The fact that buildings appear is only the first test; inspect runway alignment, taxi routes, parking starts and approach lighting as well.

Best freeware utilities and improvements for MSFS 2024

The most useful free utilities improve planning, package management or traffic without pretending to be aircraft.

• Little Navmap: an external flight-planning and moving-map application. Use a build that supports MSFS 2024, connect it using the documented method and refresh its simulator scenery database when airport data changes.
• MSFS Addons Linker: helps PC users organise packages outside the active Community folder and activate them with links. The selected version must recognise the MSFS 2024 package location.
• FSLTL traffic: supplies traffic models and injection when using a release documented for MSFS 2024. Its model package, injector and simulator traffic settings are separate parts of the setup.
• Aircraft improvement mods: alter avionics, systems, flight behaviour or equipment on an existing aircraft. They require the named base model and can conflict with another mod editing the same files.

External utilities do not necessarily belong in Community. Follow the package’s own installation instructions instead of copying every downloaded folder into the simulator. Traffic injectors and planning applications may have an application component, a data package and a separate simulator package.

Best free liveries, sounds and cockpit enhancements for MSFS 2024

Liveries, replacement sounds and cockpit upgrades are worthwhile only when they match the exact aircraft, engine, model variant and simulator generation.

A livery can contain valid manifest.json and layout.json files and still not be a complete aircraft. Look for wording such as “requires”, “repaint for”, “improvement mod” or “base aircraft not included”. A picture of the whole aeroplane on the download page does not prove that the model is supplied.

How to install and keep freeware add-ons compatible in MSFS 2024

Install MSFS 2024 freeware on PC by finding the active Community folder, extracting the archive correctly and checking every dependency before starting the simulator.

1. Confirm the platform and simulator generation. The download must support Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PC. “MSFS”, “Flight Simulator” or “MSFS 2020 compatible” alone does not establish 2024 support.
2. Find the active Community folder. Do not use a path copied from another person’s Steam, Microsoft Store or custom installation. The active UserCfg.opt normally records the package root as InstalledPackagesPath; the relevant Community directory sits under that root. If packages were moved through the simulator’s storage tools, verify the path again.
3. Extract the archive completely. Do not run a package from inside a ZIP, RAR or 7Z preview. Use the installer supplied by the project when its documentation requires one.
4. Check the folder depth. A conventional MSFS package normally has manifest.json and layout.json at its package root. Community\addon-name\manifest.json is plausible; Community\addon-name\addon-name\manifest.json is usually one folder too deep.
5. Install dependencies first. Confirm the required base aircraft, object library, traffic model set, systems package or external application. Match any required aircraft variant and engine option.
6. Remove duplicate and obsolete builds. Move the old package completely outside Community unless the update instructions explicitly support an in-place replacement. Renaming an old folder or placing it inside a “disabled” subfolder may not stop the simulator scanning it.
7. Add one package at a time. Start MSFS 2024, check that the aircraft or scenery appears and complete a short test. Adding dozens of packages together makes the first conflict much harder to identify.
8. Retest after simulator and aircraft updates. Check engine start, displays, flight controls, avionics and autopilot on aircraft. For airports, inspect the runway, parking positions, taxiways and lighting. If a fault appears after an update, test with an otherwise empty Community folder before blaming the simulator.

Does MSFS 2020 freeware work in MSFS 2024?

No, not automatically. Some MSFS 2020 packages also work in MSFS 2024, but aircraft systems, avionics, flight models, scenery materials, traffic functions and external applications can require changes.

Do not treat an entry in the aircraft menu as proof of compatibility. Start from cold and dark, power the displays, test control surfaces and autopilot modes, and fly a short circuit. For scenery, check more than the terminal model: terrain height, runway starts and taxi routing can still be wrong.

Why is my MSFS 2024 add-on not showing up?

An add-on usually fails to appear because it is still compressed, installed in the wrong Community folder, nested one folder too deep or missing its base package.

Also confirm what type of add-on you installed. A livery appears under the base aircraft rather than as a separate aeroplane; an airport appears at its ICAO location rather than in an add-on list; an external utility may need to be launched separately.

Why are the cockpit displays black or parts missing?

Black displays can indicate a cold-and-dark aircraft, low display brightness, missing external power, an absent systems dependency or an unsupported build. Check normal power-up steps before reinstalling the aircraft.

Invisible models and blank liveries usually point to a missing or incorrect base aircraft. If the simulator crashes while loading one package, remove that package, restart with a clean Community folder and confirm the documented simulator version before adding it again.

Can I install MSFS 2024 freeware on Xbox or PlayStation?

Ordinary PC freeware cannot be installed manually on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 or PS5 Pro because those consoles do not expose a user-accessible Community folder.

Console users can use no-cost content distributed through the simulator’s supported console content system, but a download described as MSFS 2024 compatible may still be PC-only. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remains limited to PC and Xbox.

Cross-simulator aircraft comparison: MSFS 2020/2024, X-Plane 11/12 and FSX

Each simulator needs its own aircraft build; none of these packages should be copied directly into another simulator family.

Best freeware aircraft for MSFS 2020

The FlyByWire A32NX remains the strongest overall freeware aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PC. It offers a functional Airbus cockpit, custom systems, flight-management features and an electronic flight bag rather than merely replacing the exterior model.

The FlyByWire A380X is the natural long-haul alternative, while compatible Cessna and DC-3 improvement mods suit GA and vintage flying. For comparisons focused specifically on jets, our guide to complete freeware airliners and their dependencies explains how projects such as A32NX and Zibo differ from repaints and model-only packages.

MSFS 2020 was not released for PlayStation. Manual Community packages are for PC; Xbox users are limited to content available through the simulator’s supported Xbox distribution system.

Best freeware aircraft for X-Plane 12

The Zibo 737-800X build made for X-Plane 12 is the best freeware aircraft starting point for pilots who want a detailed airliner. It combines custom Boeing systems, flight-management functions and procedure-focused cockpit operation.

Install it as its own aircraft rather than overwriting X-Plane’s default 737. A package can appear in X-Plane 12 yet retain incorrect engine behaviour, flight dynamics or broken plugins if it was built only for X-Plane 11.

For general aviation, favour a native or explicitly converted X-Plane 12 .acf package with compatible plugins. Our X-Plane aircraft and supporting mods library covers airliners, GA aircraft, scenery and utilities, but the stated X-Plane generation still needs checking on each file.

Best freeware aircraft for X-Plane 11

The X-Plane 11 version of the Zibo 737-800X is the leading free aircraft for detailed airline operations on that simulator generation. Keep it separate from any X-Plane 12 installation and do not install it over the default Boeing 737 folder.

Other X-Plane 11 freeware aircraft can be excellent, but plugin age is a deciding factor. Check the operating-system requirements, required libraries and whether the package contains a native X-Plane 11 .acf file. An old aircraft with a visible 3D model may still have non-working avionics or systems scripts.

Best FSX freeware aircraft

The best FSX freeware aircraft are complete Project Airbus or Project Open Sky packages assembled with a working panel, sound set, flight dynamics and effects. The project name identifies the model lineage; it does not guarantee that every repackaged download is a complete aeroplane.

• Project Airbus A320-family packages: good for short- and medium-haul flying when the virtual cockpit, panel and sounds are included.
• Project Open Sky Boeing packages: useful for 737, 747 and other Boeing operations, with systems quality determined by the complete package assembly.
• Boeing 747-400 packages: suitable for long-haul flying when model variants, panel, sound and effects are supplied together.
• Shorts Sherpa: a practical alternative for utility and cargo operations.
• Boeing 307 and Gulfstream One EX: worthwhile choices for vintage and business-aircraft flying.

Before installing, look for aircraft.cfg and confirm that panel and sound aliases point to aircraft actually present in FSX. Conventional packages belong under SimObjects\Airplanes; a repaint alone must be added to its named base model. More complete aircraft, repaints and scenery are organised in our FSX freeware downloads library.