Compare the best VFR map add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, including free, in-game and chart-based options, setup tips and fixes.
Little Navmap is the best overall VFR map add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PC: it is free, detailed and combines live aircraft tracking with flight planning. Choose Sky4Sim NG for an in-cockpit toolbar map, Plan-G for traditional VFR planning, or Navigraph Charts when chart integration matters most.
Which VFR map add-on should you choose?
The right choice depends mainly on where you want the map displayed and how much flight-planning detail you need. These tools generally run as separate applications or toolbar panels; they do not directly replace or upgrade the stock MSFS VFR Map.
| Add-on | Best for | Main strengths | Key drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Navmap | Best overall on PC | Free moving map, route planning, airspace, airport data, terrain and elevation information | Busy interface and no native MSFS toolbar panel |
| Sky4Sim NG | VR and single-monitor flying | Map and flight information displayed within MSFS | Full functionality and platform availability can depend on the applicable edition and licence |
| Plan-G | Traditional VFR flight planning | Free desktop planner with live position tracking and a visual-navigation focus | Separate Windows application with a more traditional interface |
| Navigraph Charts | Integrated charts and flight plans | Moving position, aviation charts and strong route integration | Requires a subscription and can be excessive for casual local flights |
For most PC pilots, we recommend starting with Little Navmap. It covers short sightseeing flights, cross-country VFR navigation and detailed planning without requiring a subscription. Our Little Navmap setup and usage guide explains its planning, map and aircraft-tracking functions in more depth.
Why is Little Navmap the best free VFR map?
Little Navmap provides the strongest combination of planning and live navigation without placing anything in the MSFS 2020 Community folder. It reads simulator scenery data, displays installed airports and tracks the aircraft through SimConnect.
Its configurable layers are particularly useful for VFR flying. You can display controlled airspace, navaids, airport information, terrain, elevation profiles and your flown track, then hide whatever is cluttering the map. The main disadvantage is that the interface takes time to configure and remains outside the simulator window.
How do I connect Little Navmap to MSFS 2020?
- Install it as a standalone Windows application. Do not copy Little Navmap into the Community folder.
- Load the MSFS scenery library. Let the application detect Microsoft Flight Simulator and build its airport database. Rebuild this database after major scenery changes if airports are missing or outdated.
- Start a flight in MSFS 2020. Wait until the aircraft has loaded at the airport rather than trying to connect from the main menu.
- Select the Microsoft Flight Simulator connection. On the same PC, Little Navmap connects through SimConnect without a Community-folder module.
- Centre the map on the aircraft. Enable aircraft tracking, then choose north-up or course-up display and only the map layers needed for the flight.
A remote computer requires the companion connection component to run on the simulator PC. If the aircraft symbol does not appear, check that the flight is fully loaded, the correct simulator connection is selected and Windows Firewall is not blocking the connection.
Is an in-game VFR map better for VR?
An in-game toolbar map is usually more practical in VR because it avoids repeatedly removing the headset or switching to the Windows desktop. Sky4Sim NG is the better fit when access inside the cockpit matters more than advanced desktop planning.
Little Navmap remains preferable on a second monitor because it can show substantially more information at once. For a simple flight, the stock map may already be sufficient; our guide to the built-in MSFS 2020 VFR Map and its controls helps establish whether a third-party tool is actually necessary.
Why is my VFR map add-on not working?
Most failures come from an incorrect installation location, a blocked SimConnect connection or stale scenery data. The appropriate fix depends on the type of map:
- No aircraft position: load into an active flight, confirm that the utility is set to connect to MSFS and allow its connection through the firewall.
- Missing or incorrect airports: rebuild the add-on's scenery database after installing airport packages or major simulator content updates.
- Toolbar icon missing: confirm that the panel package is in the active Community folder, not an old or duplicate folder. MSFS Safe Mode disables Community add-ons.
- Blank base map: some map layers rely on an internet connection. Check network access or select another supported map layer.
- Route differs from the World Map: the add-on and MSFS may be using different navigation databases. For VFR flight, compare the actual airspace, airport and waypoint data rather than assuming two generated routes will match.
Do VFR map add-ons work on Xbox?
Standalone Windows tools such as Little Navmap and Plan-G do not run on Xbox Series X|S. Xbox users need the built-in VFR Map or an in-simulator add-on explicitly marked as Xbox-compatible in the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace.
A PC version of a product does not imply Xbox support, and an external SimConnect utility cannot simply be connected to the console. Check the platform label before buying any toolbar-based map.
Do VFR landmark packs replace a moving map?
Landmark scenery complements a moving map but does not replace one. Packages such as We Love VFR add chimneys, masts and other visual references that may be absent from the default scenery, making pilotage and dead reckoning more convincing.
For low-level flying, combining Little Navmap with carefully chosen VFR scenery and landmark enhancements gives better results than adding more map features alone. None of these simulator tools should be treated as approved navigation equipment for real-world flight.