Which MSFS 2024 edition should you buy? Compare Standard, Deluxe, Premium Deluxe and Aviator prices, content, Steam, Xbox and Game Pass.
Buy Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 from the official storefront tied to the PC or Xbox account you will keep. Standard is the best-value edition for most simmers. Deluxe, Premium Deluxe and Aviator add bundled aircraft and handcrafted airports, but they do not improve the core simulator, graphics or frame rate.
Which version of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 should I buy?
Most buyers should choose Standard Edition. It contains the complete simulator, including the world, career system, activities and multiplayer; the dearer editions are larger content bundles rather than technically superior versions.
| Edition | US launch list price | Advertised edition bundle | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | US$69.99 | 70 aircraft and 150 upgraded airports | You want the full simulator and prefer to add content selectively. |
| Deluxe | US$99.99 | 80 aircraft and 155 upgraded airports | Its ten additional aircraft or five additional airports include something you will use regularly. |
| Premium Deluxe | US$129.99 | 95 aircraft and 160 upgraded airports | You specifically want several of its wider selection of aircraft and airports. |
| Aviator | US$199.99 | 125 aircraft and 160 upgraded airports | You want Premium Deluxe plus the additional Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft included in this top bundle. |
These figures describe the advertised edition bundles, not every aircraft you might see after importing compatible purchases or adding new content. The names matter more than the totals, so compare the aircraft supplied with each MSFS 2024 edition before paying for a larger fleet.
Our rule is simple: buy Standard unless you can name the higher-edition aircraft or airports you intend to use. Deluxe makes sense for a specific gap, Premium Deluxe for several must-have extras, and Aviator for someone deliberately building a large first-party aircraft library.
Standard can be particularly good value on PC, where external aircraft, scenery and freeware can be installed later. Xbox users cannot place arbitrary files in the Community folder, so bundled content and the in-sim Marketplace carry more weight on console.
What is the price difference between MSFS 2024 editions?
The US launch list prices were US$69.99 for Standard, US$99.99 for Deluxe, US$129.99 for Premium Deluxe and US$199.99 for Aviator. Regional pricing, tax, exchange rates and sales change the amount shown at checkout, so treat those figures as a fixed comparison rather than a guaranteed local price.
At those list prices, Deluxe adds US$30 to Standard, Premium Deluxe adds US$60, and Aviator adds US$130. The Aviator jump from Premium Deluxe is US$70 and adds aircraft rather than more upgraded airports.
Do not pay extra because a higher edition sounds like the “complete” simulator. There is no premium graphics mode or frame-rate benefit. Individual complex aircraft can place different loads on the system, but the edition itself does not improve performance.
Should I buy MSFS 2024 on Steam, the Microsoft Store or Xbox?
Choose the storefront according to where the licence must work, not expected visual quality; the simulation is the same within a given edition.
| Purchase route | What the licence covers | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | The Windows PC Steam edition | It suits a Steam-centred PC library, but it still requires a Microsoft/Xbox account in the simulator and does not grant an Xbox console copy. |
| Microsoft Store or Xbox digital store | Windows PC and supported Xbox devices through Xbox Play Anywhere | Use the same Microsoft account on both systems and confirm the Xbox Play Anywhere label on the product listing. |
| Xbox subscription access | Standard Edition while an eligible subscription remains active | This is access rather than permanent ownership, and external PC add-ons cannot be installed on the console. |
For native console play, check our explanation of supported Xbox hardware, Game Pass access and platform limitations. PC buyers should also compare their hardware with the simulator’s practical PC requirements before choosing an edition.
Should I buy MSFS 2024 or use Game Pass?
Use eligible Game Pass access to test Standard Edition if you are unsure about performance, controls or how often you will fly; buy a full licence when you want permanent access.
A subscription does not make the base simulator yours. If the subscription ends or stops providing access, you need to purchase the base game to continue playing. This distinction matters if you buy an edition upgrade while relying on Game Pass: the upgrade adds content, but it is not a standalone licence for the simulator.
Can I upgrade to Premium Deluxe or Aviator later?
MSFS 2024 supports paid edition upgrade packages, but you should not assume a later upgrade will cost only the difference between the original editions. Package pricing and sales can make buying the desired tier at the outset cheaper.
Read the product description carefully before checkout. A listing marked as an upgrade, add-on or content bundle requires an eligible base licence or subscription. If one particular aircraft decides the purchase, also verify whether it is edition content or can be obtained separately; not every bundled item should be assumed to have an individual purchase option.
How do I buy Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Buy it through Steam on Windows PC or through the Microsoft/Xbox digital storefront using the account and platform on which you intend to fly.
- Confirm the platform. Decide between Windows PC and Xbox before comparing editions. On PC, check the processor, graphics card, memory and internet connection rather than relying only on the minimum specification.
- Sign in to the long-term account. Purchases, upgrades and entitlements become much harder to manage when the base simulator is bought on a spare or family member’s account.
- Open the platform’s official storefront. Search for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and check that the listing is the full game, not an edition upgrade or separate content pack.
- Select the edition by its actual extras. Use Standard by default; move up only after identifying aircraft or airports worth the additional price.
- Check the licence wording and total price. Confirm the platform, region, tax, subscription requirements and any Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement before paying.
- Plan the install location. On PC, use an SSD with room for the simulator, rolling cache, locally stored content and future add-ons. Our storage guide explains what consumes space beyond the initial installation.
- Review the refund rules before first launch. PC storefronts may count launcher or setup runtime as play time, so do not leave the application running unnecessarily while deciding whether to keep it.
What if I already own Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a separate simulator and purchase; owning the 2020 release does not grant a 2024 base-game licence.
Many 2020 add-ons can work in 2024, but compatibility, licensing and platform availability vary. Check each important aircraft or scenery package before choosing a dearer 2024 edition, and do not repurchase content until you have checked the library attached to your account.
The buying mistakes we see most often
Most expensive mistakes come from buying the wrong product or making assumptions about licences, not from choosing Standard instead of Premium Deluxe.
- Buying an upgrade instead of the full game. Similar artwork and names can hide a base-game requirement.
- Using the wrong account. Reinstalls and entitlement checks become awkward when ownership is split between accounts.
- Expecting Steam to include Xbox. A Steam licence remains a Steam PC licence.
- Treating Game Pass as ownership. Paid upgrade content still needs access to the base simulator.
- Buying Premium for better performance. Hardware, settings and aircraft complexity affect frame rate; the edition label does not.
- Ignoring storage and internet demands. Cache files, local downloads and add-ons can quickly consume the free space left after installation.
- Assuming an upgrade will always be cheap. Compare the full-edition price with the actual upgrade package before committing.
For most simmers, the safest answer to “which MSFS 2024 edition should I buy?” remains Standard. Choose a higher edition only when its named aircraft and airports justify the exact extra cost to you.