Is MSFS 2024 good after its updates? See its real strengths, remaining problems, platform differences and whether to upgrade from MSFS 2020.
Yes—Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is good after its major post-launch updates, especially for low-level flying, varied aircraft and structured Career Mode. It is not an automatic upgrade for every MSFS 2020 owner: cloud dependence, uneven aircraft depth, add-on compatibility and hardware performance can still outweigh its visual and gameplay gains.
Why is MSFS 2024 good?
MSFS 2024 is at its best when you use its detailed world, seasonal environments and mission structure rather than treating it only as a replacement platform for existing add-ons.
- Low-level scenery: Denser vegetation, improved ground detail and more convincing seasonal variation make helicopters, bush aircraft and sightseeing flights particularly effective. Our detailed comparison of MSFS 2024 and 2020 scenery explains where the difference is visible and where streamed data still limits it.
- Career Mode: Licences, specialisations, missions and company progression provide direction that the traditional free-flight sandbox lacks.
- Aircraft variety: The simulator covers airliners, general aviation, gliders, helicopters and specialist aviation. Quality and complexity vary, but the breadth is excellent.
- Pre-flight interaction: Walkarounds, aircraft condition and the electronic flight bag give flights more context, even if individual aircraft implement these features to different depths.
- Worldwide coverage: It remains one of the easiest simulators in which to pick almost any location and start exploring without buying regional scenery first.
The Sim Update 5 build released in April 2026 is a much fairer basis for judging the simulator than its troubled launch build. Some early reviews therefore describe problems or limitations that have since changed, although the underlying dependence on online services remains.
What are the biggest problems with MSFS 2024?
Its main weaknesses are cloud streaming, demanding performance and inconsistent content quality rather than a poor core flying experience.
- Streaming dependence: Much of the world and package content is delivered online. An unstable connection can cause slow loading, reduced scenery detail or unavailable content even when the computer itself is powerful. See what MSFS 2024 can store locally and what still has to stream before buying it for a capped or unreliable connection.
- Performance: Large airports, glass cockpits, traffic and dense scenery can expose CPU or GPU limits. Frame generation may improve displayed smoothness, but it does not cure main-thread stutters or insufficient memory. Our MSFS 2024 performance and stutter fixes cover the settings that actually matter.
- Uneven aircraft fidelity: A long aircraft list does not mean every cockpit offers study-level systems. Buyers focused on one airliner or helicopter should assess that specific model rather than judging by the size of the fleet.
- Add-on compatibility: Do not assume that every MSFS 2020 package will work unchanged. Check for explicit MSFS 2024 support, especially with complex aircraft, utilities and packages containing custom code.
- Career Mode limitations: Career adds welcome structure, but mission scoring, procedural expectations and progression rules can frustrate pilots who want complete operational freedom.
Is MSFS 2024 better than MSFS 2020?
MSFS 2024 is the stronger choice for new features and structured flying, while MSFS 2020 can remain the better platform for an established, carefully configured add-on collection.
| Priority | Better choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Career progression and missions | MSFS 2024 | Career Mode is a central part of the newer simulator. |
| Low-level scenery and seasonal detail | MSFS 2024 | Ground detail, vegetation and environmental variation are generally improved. |
| Existing MSFS 2020 add-on collection | MSFS 2020 until verified | Compatibility varies, particularly for complex aircraft and utilities. |
| Familiar, already-tuned installation | MSFS 2020 | There may be little benefit in disrupting a stable setup if the new features are not needed. |
| First purchase with suitable hardware and internet | MSFS 2024 | It provides the newer platform, Career Mode and broader future-facing feature set. |
| PlayStation support | MSFS 2024 | MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation. |
Is MSFS 2024 good on PC, Xbox and PS5?
MSFS 2024 is worthwhile on all three platform families, but PC offers the most flexibility for peripherals, graphics tuning and third-party add-ons.
Xbox Series X|S gives a simpler console installation, but console users do not have the PC Community-folder workflow and must accept tighter add-on and graphics restrictions. The PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro versions launched on 8 December 2025, making MSFS 2024 the first Flight Simulator released on PlayStation; PSVR2 support is associated with a free 2026 update rather than the original PS5 release.
Who should buy MSFS 2024?
Choose MSFS 2024 if Career Mode, low-level exploration, helicopters, varied mission flying or PlayStation availability matters more than preserving an existing MSFS 2020 setup.
Stay with MSFS 2020 for now if you rely on an unverified collection of complex add-ons, have an unreliable internet connection, or already have a stable simulator that does everything you need. New PC and console users are easier to recommend MSFS 2024 to than established users who would have to rebuild a large installation.
Our overall verdict is that MSFS 2024 is good, but connection quality and intended aircraft matter more than the headline feature list. Before choosing a package, use our breakdown of editions, platforms and purchasing options; paying for a larger edition adds bundled content, not a fundamentally better core simulator.