Compare the best payware add-ons for MSFS 2020, including aircraft, airports and utilities, with clear PC, Xbox and value advice.
The best payware add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are the Fenix A320, PMDG 737 or 777, A2A Comanche 250 and Just Flight BAe 146 for aircraft; Flightbeam KDEN and FlyTampa Amsterdam for airports; and GSX Pro for ground handling. The right purchase depends on platform, aircraft type and how often you will use it.
Our best MSFS 2020 payware picks
| Add-on | Best for | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Fenix A320 | Detailed Airbus airline operations | PC only and intended for users prepared to learn the aircraft properly |
| PMDG 737 or 777 | High-fidelity Boeing operations | Choose the aircraft family you will actually fly; exact Xbox availability varies by product |
| A2A Comanche 250 | Hands-on piston flying, ownership and maintenance simulation | Its depth offers little value if you mainly fly airliners |
| Just Flight BAe 146 | Classic regional jet operations with a busy cockpit | Older systems and higher manual workload are central to the experience |
| Flightbeam KDEN, FlyTampa Amsterdam, iniBuilds KLAX or Pyreegue Edinburgh | Detailed airports for routes you fly repeatedly | Buying an airport you rarely visit gives poor value |
| GSX Pro | Pushback, boarding, catering and other ground operations | PC only because it relies on software outside the simulator |
Which payware aircraft should you buy first?
Choose the Fenix A320 for a detailed Airbus on PC, a PMDG 737 or 777 for Boeing procedures, the A2A Comanche for general aviation, or the BAe 146 for a classic regional jet.
The Fenix and PMDG products reward proper route preparation, aircraft configuration and checklist use. They are poor impulse purchases for someone who prefers short sightseeing flights or wants to start the engines and depart immediately. Our detailed comparison of premium MSFS aircraft explains the strengths and practical limitations of each option.
The A2A Comanche is the stronger choice for pilots interested in engine handling, wear and aircraft ownership rather than airline automation. The BAe 146 sits between those worlds: it flies scheduled routes but demands more manual management than a modern Airbus or Boeing.
Which airport scenery is worth buying?
The best payware airport is usually a well-made version of your home base or a destination you visit repeatedly, not necessarily the largest or most technically ambitious release.
Flightbeam KDEN, FlyTampa Amsterdam, iniBuilds KLAX and Pyreegue Edinburgh are strong examples covering different regions and route types. Before buying, inspect the airport already supplied by Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and check whether a World Update or another package has installed an overlapping version. Our comparison of leading premium airports helps narrow the choice by location and flying style.
Detailed terminals, interior modelling and landside objects can increase memory and graphics load without improving the view from the cockpit. For regular airline flying, accurate taxiways, stands, lighting and approach surroundings matter more than rooms hidden inside a terminal.
Are utility add-ons better value than aircraft?
A utility can offer better value than another aircraft when it fixes a problem encountered on every flight.
GSX Pro is the leading example for PC users who want pushback control and more active airline ground operations. It requires configuration at some airports, and downloaded profiles must match the exact scenery version and parking layout. Our ground-services comparison and setup advice covers where GSX fits and when it adds unnecessary complexity.
ATC, career and camera products are more specialised. Buy one only when the default feature is limiting something you do regularly: offline IFR communication, structured jobs or cinematic recording. Adding several background applications at once makes crashes, audio conflicts and performance problems much harder to diagnose.
What should you buy on a limited budget?
Buy one substantial add-on that changes most of your flights rather than several small products with overlapping functions.
- Start with one aircraft: choose the model whose procedures and routes genuinely interest you.
- Add one frequently used airport: a home base or regular destination provides more value than a famous hub visited once.
- Buy a utility last: identify a repeated limitation first, then select the product that fixes it.
A common mistake is buying both an Airbus and a Boeing before learning either one. Each requires time for cockpit flows, flight-management setup, abnormal procedures and updates. One well-used aircraft is a better purchase than a hangar full of unfamiliar ones.
What mistakes make MSFS payware look broken?
Most failures come from the wrong platform, overlapping scenery or outdated components rather than the add-on itself.
- Using the wrong installation method: complex PC products may require their own installer and companion application. Do not copy random subfolders into
Communitywhen the developer supplies an installer. - Nesting a package too deeply: a manually installed add-on may not load if its package files sit inside an extra folder level.
- Running duplicate airports: two versions of the same airport can produce doubled buildings, broken jetways and uneven ground. Keep only one third-party version active.
- Ignoring required updates: update the aircraft, utility and any companion software after a simulator update. If MSFS starts crashing, temporarily remove the affected package and test the simulator without it.
- Assuming MSFS 2024 support: a product advertised for the newer simulator may not include a working MSFS 2020 version, and the reverse is also true.
Do PC payware add-ons work on Xbox?
A PC add-on works on Xbox only when an Xbox-compatible edition is offered through the in-simulator Marketplace.
Xbox cannot run external executables, companion applications or conventional PC installers. That rules out products such as Fenix and GSX Pro even though they work with MSFS 2020 on PC. Marketplace availability also varies between individual aircraft and scenery products, so check the platform label for the exact edition before paying. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released for PlayStation.
Will MSFS 2020 payware work in MSFS 2024?
MSFS 2020 payware does not automatically work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024; compatibility depends on the product, its installer and the developer's support policy.
Some packages transfer or receive an updated edition, while others require patches, a separate installer or a new purchase. Back up custom configurations and avoid copying an entire old Community folder into the newer simulator. Our MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024 compatibility guide explains what can transfer and what must be checked individually.