Find the best free MSFS 2024 add-ons for PC, Xbox and PS5, with trusted sources, compatibility checks and Community folder installation steps.
Find free Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 add-ons in Fly Away Simulation’s curated freeware library or through reputable third-party authors’ official release pages. PC users can install compatible packages in the Community folder; Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 users must use free items offered through the in-sim Marketplace or content library.
Where to download MSFS 2024 aircraft, scenery and liveries
The right download source depends on your platform, the type of add-on and how much manual installation and updating you are prepared to handle.
| Source | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fly Away Simulation | Curated freeware aircraft, scenery, liveries and utilities with descriptions and compatibility information. | Confirm that the individual listing names MSFS 2024 rather than assuming an MSFS 2020 package will work. |
| Author or publisher release page | The latest maintained build, documentation, known issues and developer support. | Verify that it is the author’s genuine page. Development and experimental builds may be less thoroughly tested. |
| In-sim Marketplace or content library | Officially distributed content and the only practical add-on route for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. | Availability, price and platform support can differ between PC, Xbox and PlayStation. |
Our MSFS 2020 and 2024 freeware library is the main starting point for an MSFS 2024 add-ons download. In our listings, freeware means a no-cost file; French-language searches often use addon gratuit for the same idea.
Aircraft need extra care because a repaint, cockpit modification and complete flyable aeroplane are different products. Use our checks for identifying compatible freeware aircraft before installing a complex model. For airports, cities, landmarks and regional packages, see the guide to finding free MSFS scenery.
A free download is not necessarily self-contained. A livery may require a paid aircraft, an enhancement may need a particular simulator edition, and scenery may depend on an official World or City Update.
Best free MSFS 2024 add-ons
For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 through Sim Update 5, the best low-risk choices are actively maintained packages that explicitly identify their simulator version, dependencies and supported platform.
| Recommended freeware | Version and dependencies | Platform | Why it is worth downloading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native MSFS 2024 aircraft or maintained aircraft enhancements | Choose a listing that explicitly supports MSFS 2024, preferably with notes covering Sim Update 5. Enhancements require the exact base aircraft and sometimes a specific simulator edition. | Community-folder releases are PC-only. Console availability requires a separate Marketplace release. | They add the most substantial flying value, but active maintenance is essential for avionics, flight-model and cockpit-system compatibility. |
| Hand-built airports and VFR landmarks for routes you fly | Look for declared MSFS 2024 support and check for required object libraries or official world content. Avoid duplicate replacements for the same airport. | PC through the Community folder; consoles only when published in the Marketplace. | A carefully chosen home airport, destination or landmark pack produces an immediate visual improvement without changing aircraft systems. |
| Exact-model liveries | The livery must match the precise aircraft model, variant and package family shown in your hangar. An MSFS 2020 livery is not automatically a 2024 livery. | Usually PC; some liveries are distributed through the Marketplace for consoles. | Liveries are small, easy to remove and a sensible first test of Community-folder installation. |
| Flight-planning, moving-map and ATC utilities marked for MSFS 2024 | Check for a required simulator interface, runtime, external application or network connection. These tools are not always Community packages. | Normally Windows PC only. | They can improve planning, situational awareness or radio operations across every aircraft rather than one model. |
| Official free Marketplace and content-library packages | Use the version offered for your platform and keep required official packages installed through the simulator’s content system. | PC, Xbox or PlayStation where the listing carries the relevant platform support. | They avoid manual folder management and are the only free add-on option available to console users. |
We recommend categories rather than presenting a permanent list of filenames because complex freeware can break after a simulator update or move to a new build channel. A listing’s last-updated date is useful, but explicit MSFS 2024 support and clear release notes are stronger evidence.
How do I know whether an add-on is compatible with MSFS 2024?
The safest package is one whose description or included documentation explicitly states Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 support for the installed simulator build.
- Check whether the file is for MSFS 2024, MSFS 2020 or both.
- Read the full requirements for a base aircraft, simulator edition, world package, object library, runtime or external utility.
- Make sure a livery names the exact aircraft variant rather than only its manufacturer or family.
- Check known limitations after major Sim Updates, especially for avionics, WASM systems, traffic injectors and external utilities.
- Do not install two packages that replace the same airport, aircraft systems or world objects.
Simple scenery and liveries made for MSFS 2020 sometimes continue to load in MSFS 2024, but that is not proof of full compatibility. Complex aircraft and utilities are more vulnerable to simulator interface, avionics and package-format changes.
Official Marketplace versus third-party add-ons
Use the Marketplace for console installation and account-managed content; use reputable third-party freeware on PC when you want the widest selection and are comfortable managing files and updates yourself.
| Area | Marketplace or official content | Third-party PC freeware |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Downloaded and managed inside the simulator’s content system. | Usually extracted into the active Community folder, although external utilities may use their own installer or programme folder. |
| Platforms | PC, Xbox and PlayStation when approved and listed for that platform. | Community-folder packages are limited to PC. |
| Account management | Content is associated with the signed-in simulator or platform account. Do not assume an entitlement transfers between different platform families. | A manually installed package normally has no Marketplace entitlement and does not appear in the official content library. |
| Updates | Delivered through the simulator after publisher submission and platform approval, which can place them behind an author’s direct release. | Downloaded manually or through the publisher’s trusted manager. Remove an old version before copying a replacement unless its instructions explicitly say otherwise. |
| Support | Handled through the Marketplace, platform system or publisher according to the problem. | Usually provided by the author or the library carrying the file. |
Why can’t Xbox and PlayStation install free PC add-ons?
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro do not expose a PC-style Community folder because console software runs in a restricted storage environment. External ZIP files, USB transfers and PC installers cannot bypass the simulator’s approved package-distribution system.
A free PC file therefore does not automatically have an Xbox or PlayStation edition. Its author must publish a separate console-compatible release through the in-sim Marketplace or official content library.
How do I install free MSFS 2024 add-ons on PC?
Most conventional PC aircraft, scenery and livery packages are extracted and copied into the active MSFS 2024 Community folder.
- Read the requirements first. Confirm MSFS 2024 support and install any required base aircraft, official world package or shared library. Close the simulator before changing package files.
- Extract the archive to a temporary location. Use the appropriate archive tool for ZIP, RAR or 7z files. Do not put the compressed archive itself in
Community. - Identify the actual package folder. A normal package root contains files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. If those files are buried inside another folder with the same or a similar name, copy the inner package folder rather than the unnecessary wrapper. - Locate the active Community folder. MS Store, Steam and custom installations can use different paths. If you are unsure, inspect the
InstalledPackagesPathentry in the activeUserCfg.optfile or use the simulator’s package or developer tools. The correct packages location normally contains the activeOfficialandCommunityfolders. - Check that it is the MSFS 2024 path. A common mistake on PCs with both simulators installed is copying the package into the MSFS 2020 Community folder.
- Copy one package at a time. Place the package folder directly inside
Community. If the archive contains several folders with separate manifest and layout files, follow the author’s instructions for each one. - Restart and test the simulator. Check aircraft and liveries in the aircraft selector, then load scenery at its actual location. External utilities may need to be started separately after the simulator loads.
Why is my downloaded add-on not appearing?
Most missing add-ons are still compressed, one folder level too deep, installed in the wrong Community folder or missing a required dependency.
- Open the installed folder and verify that
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonare not buried under an extra directory. - Confirm that you used the MSFS 2024 Community folder rather than an old MSFS 2020 or abandoned custom path.
- Check whether the simulator started in Safe Mode, which intentionally prevents Community packages from loading.
- Remove any older copy of the same package. Merging new files over an old release can leave obsolete files behind.
- Check whether the download is a livery or enhancement rather than a complete aircraft. It may appear under a base aircraft instead of as a separate aeroplane.
- Remember that scenery does not normally create a menu item. Load the affected airport or location and check for a conflict with another package.
- Test the add-on by itself. If it works alone, restore other packages in small groups until the conflict returns.
If MSFS 2024 starts only after the package is removed, leave it disabled and wait for a compatible release. Repeatedly loading a broken package will not repair it.
How can I download free MSFS 2024 add-ons safely?
A safe freeware download comes from a recognisable author or established library, has clear requirements and does not hide its file behind suspicious redirects or unrelated installers.
- Use reputable publishers and libraries. Avoid anonymous re-uploads with no author credit, documentation or licence information.
- Read the full description. Check simulator version, dependencies, installation instructions and known limitations before downloading.
- Scan every archive. Let your security software inspect the downloaded file and extracted contents before moving them into the simulator.
- Treat executable files carefully. Aircraft, scenery and liveries normally do not need an EXE. Some utilities and trusted package managers genuinely do, but verify their source before running them.
- Avoid suspicious redirects. Do not install browser extensions, download managers or unrelated software to obtain a freeware package.
- Retain the original archive. Keep the download, documentation and version information until the package has been tested and you know how to reinstall it.
- Test one new add-on at a time. This makes crashes, loading problems and scenery conflicts much easier to trace.
Our detailed freeware safety and compatibility checklist covers the warning signs that separate a trustworthy MSFS package from an unsafe or badly documented download.