Compare the best MSFS 2020 and 2024 replay tools, from Sky Dolly and FlightControlReplay to the built-in option, with PC and console caveats.
The best replay tools for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 are Sky Dolly for free, flexible recording; FlightControlReplay for the strongest paid feature set; and Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Developer Mode Replay for occasional PC use without another app. Flight Recorder is the simpler free alternative. Console users are limited to ordinary video capture.
Which MSFS replay tool should you choose?
Sky Dolly is the best free all-rounder, while FlightControlReplay suits pilots who want a more extensive paid replay and camera workflow.
| Replay tool | Best for | Platform | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Dolly | Free timeline-based recording, reviewing landings and managing saved tracks | PC | Complex cockpit systems and animations may not reproduce exactly |
| FlightControlReplay | Advanced replay controls, camera work and frequent recording | PC | Paid software with more setup than the simpler alternatives |
| Developer Mode Replay | Occasional recordings without installing another utility | PC | A developer utility with a less polished interface and limited environmental recording |
| Flight Recorder | Simple free replays of take-offs, approaches and landings | PC | Fewer editing and camera features; verify compatibility with your simulator build |
Choose Sky Dolly when cost and a usable timeline matter most. FlightControlReplay is the better fit for regular cinematic work or more elaborate replay control. The built-in tool is adequate for checking a landing from another angle, while Flight Recorder remains attractive when you want minimal complexity.
Do replay tools work in both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
The main replay choices work through the PC simulator, but compatibility with individual aircraft can differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. Major simulator updates can also require a replay-tool update, so use a release explicitly marked for your simulator rather than assuming an older build is fully compatible.
Most third-party replay utilities are standalone SimConnect applications. They run outside Microsoft Flight Simulator and should not be copied blindly into the Community folder. Load the flight completely before connecting the recorder, and avoid running two replay utilities at once.
Microsoft’s Developer Mode Replay is available on PC in both simulators. Our walkthrough of recording and replaying through Developer Mode covers the controls and explains how replay differs from ordinary video capture. If the command is absent, follow the checks for a missing Developer Mode Replay option.
Xbox Series X|S cannot run these PC SimConnect utilities or the PC Developer Mode recorder. The same restriction applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro; MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation. Console video capture records only what appeared on screen, so it cannot rerun the flight or select a different camera afterwards.
Why do MSFS replays sometimes look wrong?
MSFS replay tools usually record aircraft position, attitude and selected control data rather than a complete save-state of the simulation. The aircraft may follow the correct path while its flight-management computer, autopilot, engine logic, displays or custom animations continue running independently.
- The aircraft jumps or oscillates: neutralise controllers, disable AI piloting and stop any other utility that injects control inputs. A higher recording or sampling rate may help if the chosen tool provides that setting.
- Gear, flaps or spoilers are wrong: use the same aircraft variant and allow it to finish loading before replay. Some highly customised add-on systems cannot be reconstructed reliably from recorded telemetry.
- Weather, traffic or lighting has changed: replay tools do not necessarily capture the environment. Use fixed weather, a fixed time and reduced traffic when continuity matters.
- The replay stops after changing flights: save the track before returning to the main menu or loading another airport. Some recorders keep an unsaved session only in memory.
- The camera moves but the aircraft does not replay: a camera manager and an aircraft recorder perform different jobs. Our comparison of MSFS camera and replay workflows explains which tools handle each task.
Is ChasePlane an MSFS replay recorder?
No. ChasePlane manages camera positions and movement; it does not record and reproduce the aircraft’s flight path by itself. It must be paired with a compatible recorder if you want to fly first and choose camera angles later. We cover that distinction in our explanation of how ChasePlane works with replay tools.
How do you get a smooth landing replay?
A clean landing replay depends more on preparation than on changing tools after the recording has failed.
- Load the exact aircraft variant and wait for its cockpit systems, scenery and traffic to settle.
- Use repeatable conditions by selecting fixed weather and time if visual continuity matters.
- Start recording early, well before the manoeuvre you want to review. This gives the recorder stable initial position and attitude data.
- Finish and save the track before resetting the flight, changing aircraft or returning to the main menu.
- Remove control conflicts during playback by centring hardware controls and disabling AI or external input utilities.
- Select cameras during replay and record the finished sequence with a separate video-capture function if you need a shareable video file.
For basic landing review, start with Developer Mode Replay or Flight Recorder. Sky Dolly offers the best balance of cost and control for most PC users, while FlightControlReplay is the stronger choice when replay recording forms a regular part of a more involved camera and video workflow.