Where can I find free flight simulator add-ons?
Free flight simulator add-ons are available in our multi-simulator freeware downloads library, covering Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX, X-Plane, Prepar3D and older platforms. Choose the category for your exact simulator, then check the supported version, required base aircraft or libraries, and installation instructions before downloading; files for one simulator rarely work in another.
Which free add-on library should I use?
Use the section dedicated to your simulator and version rather than choosing a download solely because its screenshots look suitable.
| Simulator | Where to start | Compatibility check |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or 2020 | Browse the MSFS 2024 and 2020 freeware collection. | Confirm which MSFS release is supported. Do not assume every 2020 package works unchanged in 2024. |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator X | Use our FSX aircraft, scenery and utilities archive. | Check whether the file requires FSX Acceleration, a particular edition or another aircraft. |
| X-Plane 11 or 12 | Choose the relevant file from the X-Plane 11 and 12 add-on library. | Look for the supported X-Plane generation and any required scenery libraries or plugins. |
| Prepar3D | Select the Prepar3D category in the main freeware catalogue. | Match the stated Prepar3D version. Aircraft gauges, scenery installers and compiled files can be version-specific. |
| Older simulators | Use the category for that exact simulator in the main catalogue. | Do not substitute an FSX package for FS2004, or the reverse, unless the description explicitly confirms compatibility. |
What can I download for free?
Freeware libraries contain much more than complete aircraft, but each type has different requirements.
- Aircraft: complete flyable models ranging from light aircraft to airliners and military types.
- Liveries and repaints: alternative paint schemes that normally require a specific base aircraft. A repaint alone will not create a flyable aircraft.
- Scenery: airports, landmarks, cities, terrain, mesh and object libraries. Some packages depend on separate regional or object libraries.
- Utilities and plugins: tools for planning, weather, camera control, aircraft systems or simulator management.
- AI traffic: aircraft models, flight plans and traffic packages. Mixing components from unrelated packages can produce missing or blank aircraft.
- Missions and flight plans: prepared routes, challenges and scenarios for supported simulators.
Freeware means the developer does not charge for the download. It does not remove copyright or grant permission to redistribute, edit or include the files in another package, so retain the documentation and observe its licence.
How do I check add-on compatibility before downloading?
The simulator name, release, dependencies and package type must all match your installation.
- Identify the exact simulator. Record whether you use MSFS 2024, MSFS 2020, FSX, a particular Prepar3D generation, or X-Plane 11 or 12.
- Read the complete description. Look for edition requirements, required libraries, a payware or freeware base aircraft, and exclusions such as “not tested in” or “not compatible with”.
- Check whether it is complete. Liveries, sound packs, panel updates and configuration fixes usually modify an aircraft you must already have.
- Follow the supplied installation method. MSFS packages commonly use the Community folder, X-Plane scenery normally belongs in
Custom Scenery, and FSX or Prepar3D scenery may need to be registered. The included instructions take priority because installers and package structures vary. - Install one package at a time. Start the simulator and test it before adding the next file. This makes conflicts and broken dependencies much easier to identify.
A mistake we see constantly is treating all Microsoft-branded simulators as one platform. FS2004, FSX, MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 use different formats and folder structures; a shared aircraft name does not make their add-ons interchangeable.
Are free flight simulator add-ons safe?
Free add-ons are generally safest when obtained from an established, moderated archive, but every downloaded file should still be checked before installation.
- Scan the archive and any installer with up-to-date security software.
- Read the file list and documentation before running an executable.
- Be cautious if an aircraft repaint or simple scenery package unexpectedly requests administrator access.
- Back up files before allowing an older installer to overwrite simulator folders.
- Avoid replacing default files when a package can be installed in its own folder.
Why is my downloaded add-on not showing in the simulator?
An add-on that does not appear is usually installed one folder too deep, placed in the wrong simulator directory, missing a dependency or built for another version.
Open the extracted package and check for an unnecessary nested folder created during extraction. For aircraft liveries, confirm that the required base model is installed; for scenery, verify its library dependencies and scenery order. If the simulator stops loading after an installation, remove the newest package first rather than reinstalling everything.