Find the best freeware fighter jets for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including Rafale, F/A-18 and F-22 picks, plus compatibility and install advice.
The best freeware fighter jet add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator are a documented Rafale M package, the freeware F/A-18 Hornet for naval flying and repaints, and a native MSFS F-22 from a traceable developer. Choose the Rafale for versatility, the Hornet for carrier flavour, and the F-22 for high-performance flying.
Our best freeware fighter jet shortlist
No single free fighter is best in every respect. Systems depth, cockpit quality and flight modelling vary sharply, so we favour packages with clear compatibility information and known limitations over impressive screenshots alone.
| Aircraft | Best for | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Rafale M | A versatile modern naval fighter and a strong first download | Several releases and conversions may circulate, so verify the package is made for your MSFS generation |
| F/A-18 Hornet | Naval aviation, display flying and repaint variety | High-resolution textures do not necessarily mean a fully simulated cockpit or flight model |
| F-22 Raptor | Fast flying, stealth-fighter styling and modern avionics | Avoid packages that are merely repacked FSX models or have unclear origins |
Our curated MSFS military aircraft library is the best place to compare available Rafale, Hornet and other military packages. Check each description for required base aircraft, simulator generation and known cockpit limitations.
For the classic Hornet, the freeware F/A-18 package with 8K textures and multiple repaints is particularly appealing for Blue Angels and USMC flying. Its documentation also makes the aircraft's limitations clear, which matters with freeware military models.
How should I choose a freeware fighter jet?
Choose by simulator compatibility and cockpit functionality before considering liveries or visual detail.
- For the safest first choice: use a package explicitly built for Microsoft Flight Simulator rather than an FSX conversion.
- For naval flying: select the Rafale M or F/A-18, but remember that the aircraft package may not include a carrier or working launch equipment.
- For detailed procedures: inspect the description for functional displays, autopilot behaviour and starting requirements. Many freeware fighters are intended mainly for visual flying.
- For an F-22: consult our F-22 freeware compatibility and provenance guidance before installing. F-22-labelled packages are especially easy to confuse with older conversions.
If your simulator content already includes an official F/A-18E Super Hornet, use that as a quality and handling baseline. Our breakdown of stock and add-on fighters in MSFS 2020 explains which jets are supplied by the simulator and which require separate downloads.
Will these fighters work in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
A fighter built for MSFS 2020 may work in MSFS 2024, but compatibility should never be assumed from the folder structure alone.
Aircraft can load while still suffering from blank displays, incorrect flight controls, missing sounds or broken animations. Prefer a package whose description explicitly names your simulator, and remove the older copy before installing an updated release.
Manually downloaded freeware is principally a PC option. Xbox players cannot copy arbitrary packages into a Community folder, and neither can PlayStation 5 players using MSFS 2024. Consoles are limited to aircraft distributed through the simulator's own Marketplace or official content system; MSFS 2020 was never released for PlayStation.
How do I install a freeware fighter correctly?
On PC, most freeware fighters are installed by extracting the aircraft's package folder into the simulator's Community folder.
- Read the package description. Check whether it is a complete aircraft, a livery or an enhancement requiring another model.
- Extract the archive. Do not place the ZIP or other compressed archive directly in
Community. - Find the package root. The folder containing files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonshould sit directly insideCommunity. Extra nested folders are a common reason aircraft fail to appear. - Remove previous versions. Duplicate copies can create repeated aircraft entries, missing textures and loading problems.
- Restart the simulator. Look for the aircraft in the normal aircraft selection screen and confirm that its liveries load correctly.
An invisible aircraft usually indicates an incorrectly nested folder or a missing base model. Pink or blank textures point more often to a missing dependency, incompatible livery or damaged extraction. A visible aircraft with dead cockpit displays is more likely to be an outdated package or an MSFS 2020-to-2024 compatibility problem.
Do freeware fighter jets have working weapons?
Most MSFS freeware fighters should be treated as flying aircraft rather than combat simulators.
Some packages animate guns, stores or cockpit controls, and a few provide visual effects. That does not guarantee functional radar combat, damage modelling or target interaction. Unless the documentation states otherwise, assume weapons are cosmetic and judge the add-on on its flight model, cockpit and visual quality.