FSX vs MSFS 2020: which is better for you?
For most people, MSFS 2020 is the better simulator because it offers a far better world, weather, lighting and default aircraft experience. FSX still makes sense if you have an older PC, already own a lot of FSX add-ons, or prefer a lighter, legacy platform that you can tweak extensively.
Which simulator should most new pilots buy?
If you are starting from scratch, MSFS 2020 is usually the better buy. You get a modern graphics engine, streamed scenery, far better atmosphere and cloud rendering, and a stronger out-of-the-box experience without having to rebuild the sim with add-ons first.
FSX and FSX: Steam Edition can still be enjoyable, but they show their age fast. The base sim is older-looking, heavily CPU-bound, and built around an add-on workflow that often involves manual installers, folder checks and configuration tweaks. If you want to spend more time flying than tuning, MSFS 2020 is the safer choice.
| What matters most | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| VFR sightseeing and world detail | MSFS 2020 | Its terrain, lighting, weather and sense of place are in a different league out of the box. |
| Older hardware or a weak GPU | FSX | It is far lighter graphically, though it still depends heavily on CPU speed and careful settings. |
| Reusing an existing add-on hangar | FSX | Most FSX aircraft, gauges and scenery do not transfer directly to MSFS 2020. |
| Less manual tinkering | MSFS 2020 | You can get a convincing sim without first replacing half the platform. |
| Specific legacy aircraft, utilities or tutorials | FSX | Some classics still exist only in the FSX ecosystem. |
When is FSX still the better choice?
FSX is still the better choice when your hardware, add-on library or flying habits fit the older platform.
- You already own a lot of FSX content. Replacing aircraft, airports and utilities in MSFS 2020 can cost more than the simulator itself.
- Your PC is limited. On older systems, especially those with weak graphics hardware, FSX may be the only practical option.
- You need a particular legacy aircraft or gauge set. Some older favourites never made a proper move to MSFS.
- Your internet is slow or capped. FSX keeps its world local; MSFS looks best when it can download and stream data freely.
- You enjoy tweaking. FSX rewards users who do not mind editing settings and managing add-ons by hand.
A mistake we see constantly is assuming FSX will run flawlessly on any modern machine because it is old. It often needs careful traffic, weather and scenery settings to stay smooth. If performance is the deciding factor, our guide to improving FPS and performance in FSX shows what that really involves.
Will FSX run better on an older PC?
Often yes, but only if your expectations match FSX's own limits. FSX is much lighter on the graphics side than MSFS 2020, so it can be the only viable choice on older GPUs. Yet it is also a 32-bit simulator with older memory limits, so dense airports, AI traffic, weather layers and complex aircraft can still produce stutters or instability.
MSFS 2020 asks far more from storage, bandwidth and GPU power, but it also scales better with modern hardware. That is why some mid-range modern PCs feel more consistent in MSFS than in a heavily modified FSX setup.
Can your FSX add-ons move to MSFS 2020?
Usually not directly. FSX aircraft, gauges, effects and scenery were built for a different simulator architecture, so copying folders across rarely works and can never be treated as a normal upgrade path.
- Aircraft and panels: many FSX add-ons rely on older gauge formats, textures and systems logic that MSFS does not read natively.
- Airports and scenery: even when source data can be reused by a developer, the packaging, materials and lighting standards are different.
- User workflow: FSX often means dropping files into folders such as
SimObjects,GaugesandEffects. MSFS uses a different package structure, and our guide to installing mods in MSFS 2020 explains the newer workflow.
Before planning a switch around your existing hangar, check our breakdown of whether FSX aircraft and add-ons work in MSFS 2020 or 2024. For most people, the answer is that you will be starting a new add-on library, not carrying the old one over.
Which costs less once you add aircraft and scenery?
FSX is only cheaper if you keep it basic or already own the add-ons you want. Starting from zero and trying to modernise FSX can snowball fast, because many simmers end up buying replacement aircraft, airports, weather, traffic and visual upgrades just to bring the platform closer to modern expectations.
MSFS 2020 usually costs more in hardware, storage space and initial download time, but less in repair work. The default world is already convincing enough that many people can fly for a long time before feeling forced to buy anything extra.
If you choose FSX, should you start with Steam Edition?
Usually yes, unless you already have a stable boxed installation loaded with legacy add-ons. FSX: Steam Edition is generally the simpler route on modern Windows, especially for installation and activation, and it works with a large share of the FSX add-on world.
If you go that way, our guide to getting started with FSX on Windows will save you time. Our short version is simple: choose MSFS 2020 if you are new and want the best-looking, least dated experience; choose FSX if your PC is older, your add-on investment is large, or a specific legacy aircraft keeps you there.