Which landing-rate and feedback add-ons are best for MSFS?

For most PC users, we recommend Gees as the best dedicated MSFS landing analyser: it gives immediate touchdown-rate and G-load feedback. Landing Rate Monitor suits pilots who want a persistent log, FSRealistic gives convincing audio and camera cues, and Volanta or SimToolkitPro work better when flight-history tracking matters more than an on-screen score.

Which MSFS landing-feedback add-on should I choose?

Choose according to the feedback you will actually use; no single add-on is best at measurement, immersion and record-keeping.

Our preferred setup is one numerical analyser plus either an immersion tool or flight tracker. Running several landing-rate monitors merely to find the most flattering number creates noise rather than useful feedback.

FSRealistic is the strongest choice when the missing element is physical sensation rather than statistics. Our comparison of MSFS realism effects explains where its touchdown and braking feedback fits among other realism tools.

What should a useful landing monitor measure?

A useful landing monitor should report more than feet per minute at the instant of contact.

• Touchdown rate: vertical speed in FPM, ideally identifying whether the figure represents first contact or the main-gear touchdown.
• G-load: useful for distinguishing a controlled firm arrival from a sharp impact, although tools do not always calculate or label it identically.
• Bounces: secondary contacts matter; an attractive first-contact figure can hide a poor recovery.
• Pitch and bank: excessive nose attitude, wing-low contact or side loading can make a numerically soft landing unsafe.
• Airspeed and touchdown position: floating halfway down the runway to achieve a low FPM figure is not a good landing.
• History: aircraft, runway and conditions provide the context needed to compare repeated attempts fairly.

Some detailed aircraft add-ons also provide touchdown data through an EFB or flight report. For the differences between monitors, EFB reports and MSFS scoring, see our guide to ways to check landing rate in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Why do Gees and Landing Rate Monitor show different FPM?

Two landing monitors can give different figures for the same touchdown without either being broken.

• Sampling time: one tool may capture the final airborne sample while another records the first wheel-contact sample.
• Reference point: readings may be based on the aircraft reference position, centre of gravity or interpreted gear contact.
• Smoothing: telemetry filtering and update intervals can change the peak value.
• Bounce handling: one utility may report only the first contact while another records the hardest contact.
• Display convention: a descent may appear as -145 FPM in one tool and 145 FPM in another.

Pick one monitor and use it consistently when comparing practice sessions. A mistake we see constantly is treating small differences between utilities as meaningful when touchdown zone, centreline control and bounce behaviour differed far more.

What is a good landing rate in MSFS?

There is no universal ideal landing rate because aircraft type, weight, runway state, wind and required touchdown point all matter.

A rate around –100 to –250 FPM is common for many transport-aircraft landings in ordinary conditions, but it is not a pass-or-fail range. A very soft touchdown after a long float can be worse than a firm, controlled arrival in the touchdown zone, particularly on a short, wet or crosswind runway.

Hard-landing limits also cannot be inferred reliably from FPM alone. Real assessments consider acceleration, weight, attitude and gear loading, so use the aircraft developer’s own report when it supplies type-specific guidance. For improving the arrival itself rather than chasing a number, follow our practical flare and touchdown technique.

Will these tools work in MSFS 2024, Xbox and PS5?

Most dedicated landing-rate utilities are Windows companion applications, so they are primarily PC tools and must explicitly support the installed simulator version.

• MSFS 2020 on PC: established SimConnect-based utilities generally target this platform, but each package’s stated compatibility still governs.
• MSFS 2024 on PC: do not assume an MSFS 2020 build is compatible. Use a release that specifically lists MSFS 2024 support.
• Xbox: external Windows executables and ordinary PC Community-folder packages cannot be installed. Use feedback built into the aircraft, a console-compatible Marketplace product or the simulator’s own scoring.
• PlayStation 5: only MSFS 2024 is available, and PC companion utilities cannot run on the console. Aircraft-integrated and simulator-native feedback are the practical options.

For a no-add-on alternative, MSFS includes scored landing scenarios. Our explanation of how MSFS Landing Challenges score each approach covers precision, smoothness and ground-roll control.

Why is no landing result appearing?

A missing result usually means the companion application never connected, the wrong build was installed or the overlay is off-screen.

1. Confirm the connection: launch the simulator and utility in the order specified by the package, then check that the aircraft is detected before take-off.
2. Extract the download: do not run an application directly from its compressed archive. An external executable normally stays outside the Community folder unless the package also supplies a clearly identified in-sim component.
3. Check Windows security: allow the application if Windows or the firewall requests permission for its local simulator connection.
4. Test a normal runway landing: replay, slew mode, unusual surfaces and multiple rapid contacts can prevent reliable touchdown detection.
5. Reset the display position: overlays can remain outside the visible desktop after changing monitors, resolution or window layout.