FSX vs MSFS 2020 and 2024: which should you use?
For most newcomers, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best choice: it offers the latest simulation systems, career activities, worldwide scenery and broad platform support. Keep MSFS 2020 if it already runs well or supports essential add-ons. Use FSX for older PCs, offline flying, nostalgia or a valuable legacy add-on collection.
FSX, MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 compared
The biggest divide is between FSX's local, legacy ecosystem and the modern simulators' streamed world, online services and newer simulation technology.
| Factor | FSX | MSFS 2020 | MSFS 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Older PCs, classic add-ons and offline flying | Established modern setups and mature add-on collections | New buyers, career mode and the latest platform features |
| Platforms | Windows PC | Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S | Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro |
| World scenery | Older locally installed scenery, expandable with add-ons | Streamed global imagery with substantial local content | Newer streamed world with greater use of cloud-delivered content |
| Internet dependence | Low during normal flying | Needed for the best scenery and online services | A consistent connection matters more because more content is streamed |
| Hardware behaviour | Light on the GPU but restricted by an old 32-bit, CPU-limited engine | Demands a capable modern CPU, GPU and storage | Designed around newer hardware and a reliable broadband connection |
| Structured activities | Free flight, lessons and classic missions | Free flight, challenges and organised activities | Career progression, missions, free flight and expanded activities |
| Add-ons | Large legacy library, but many products use ageing installers and gauges | Mature modern library with wide developer support | Growing library; many 2020 products work or receive updates, but compatibility is not universal |
Aircraft quality still matters more than the simulator name in many cases. A detailed third-party aircraft in FSX can model its systems more deeply than a basic default aircraft in a newer simulator, even though the newer platform has better scenery, weather and baseline physics.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the only one of these three available on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. Its PlayStation release on 8 December 2025 was the first Flight Simulator release on a PlayStation console; MSFS 2020 remains a PC and Xbox title. Console users also cannot install ordinary PC Community-folder downloads, so their add-on selection is more restricted.
Our detailed comparison of MSFS 2020 and 2024 explains the modern pair's differences in career features, streaming, performance and add-on use.
When does FSX still make sense?
FSX still makes sense when you already own a carefully configured installation, need a particular legacy aircraft or want a simulator that does not depend on streamed world data.
It can also suit a modest computer that cannot run either modern Microsoft Flight Simulator acceptably. FSX supports a huge catalogue of classic aircraft, utilities and hand-built scenery, while its lessons and missions remain useful.
Do not choose FSX merely because it is old and assume it will run perfectly. Its engine relies heavily on limited CPU resources, and its 32-bit address space imposes a hard memory ceiling. Dense scenery, high-resolution textures and several complex add-ons can therefore cause stutters or out-of-memory crashes even when the PC has plenty of physical RAM.
Why can FSX require extra setup on a modern PC?
FSX can require extra setup because many boxed add-ons and installers expect old Windows paths, permissions, libraries or gauge formats. Steam Edition and boxed FSX installations may also use different folder locations, so an installer can report success while placing files where the simulator never reads them.
A mistake we see constantly is stacking years of scenery and aircraft into one installation without recording what changed. Add one package at a time, test it, and keep copies of any configuration file an installer modifies. Our practical assessment of FSX's strengths and limitations covers the cases where maintaining the older simulator remains worthwhile.
Should MSFS 2020 owners upgrade to MSFS 2024?
MSFS 2020 owners should upgrade when they want career mode, newer simulation features or access to the latest platform development—not simply because 2020 has stopped being capable.
Keep MSFS 2020 if it is stable on your PC and your favourite aircraft, scenery or external utilities are fully configured there. It still provides worldwide streamed scenery, live weather, VR on PC and a mature add-on ecosystem. Rebuilding a complex setup has a real cost even when the new simulator licence is already available.
Choose MSFS 2024 if you are starting without an existing library, want its structured career and mission systems, or need PlayStation support. At Sim Update 5 in April 2026, it had received several rounds of updates since launch, but connection quality, streamed-content behaviour and compatibility with specific add-ons remain valid buying criteria.
Can FSX and MSFS 2020 add-ons move to MSFS 2024?
FSX add-ons do not transfer directly to MSFS 2020 or 2024, while compatibility between the two modern simulators is much better but never guaranteed.
Copying an FSX aircraft into a modern Community folder does not convert it. Its gauges, materials, flight dynamics, sounds, animations and installer were built for a different architecture. A proper port generally needs source files and deliberate redevelopment rather than a folder change.
Many MSFS 2020 products can work in MSFS 2024 or receive a compatible update, but complex aircraft and external utilities need particular care. Confirm support for the exact simulator before removing your working 2020 installation. We explain the technical distinction in our compatibility guide for legacy FSX content and modern MSFS.
Which Flight Simulator should each type of simmer choose?
Choose according to the equipment and content you will actually use rather than graphics alone.
- New PC or console user: choose MSFS 2024 unless a required aircraft or utility supports only MSFS 2020.
- Existing MSFS 2020 user: keep it installed until your essential add-ons are confirmed in 2024; there is no need to abandon a stable setup.
- PlayStation user: choose MSFS 2024, as neither FSX nor MSFS 2020 was released for PlayStation.
- Older or low-spec PC user: FSX may be the practical option, but use conservative scenery and traffic settings because its old engine has its own limits.
- Offline-focused user: FSX has the fewest dependencies on streamed world services. MSFS 2020 and especially MSFS 2024 lose scenery quality or features when connectivity is restricted.
- Legacy add-on owner: retain FSX for products that were never recreated, and treat it as a separate installation rather than expecting migration.
If all three are viable and you are buying a simulator from scratch, we recommend MSFS 2024. MSFS 2020 is the sensible continuity choice for an established setup, while FSX is now a specialist choice built around legacy content, modest hardware or offline operation.