Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or FSX?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is the better choice for most players: it delivers vastly better scenery, weather, graphics and native support for modern hardware. Choose FSX instead if you have a modest or offline PC, depend on its huge legacy add-on catalogue, or want older missions and aircraft that MSFS does not reproduce.
How do MSFS 2020 and FSX compare?
MSFS 2020 provides the stronger out-of-the-box simulation, while FSX remains useful as a lightweight, highly expandable legacy platform.
| Category | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | FSX |
|---|---|---|
| World and graphics | Satellite-based scenery, streamed world data, photogrammetry in supported areas and detailed lighting | Older landclass scenery, autogen and textures installed locally |
| Flight and weather | More capable atmospheric and flight modelling, live weather and modern visual effects | Simpler default flight dynamics and an older weather system |
| Aircraft and activities | Modern default fleet, tutorials, landing challenges and bush trips | Older default aircraft plus a strong collection of structured missions |
| Hardware | Much more demanding; benefits greatly from an SSD, a capable GPU and a balanced CPU | Lower basic requirements, but the old engine is CPU-limited and remains a 32-bit application |
| Internet use | Best with a reliable connection for streamed scenery, live services and multiplayer | Can operate as a largely self-contained offline simulator after installation and activation |
| Add-ons | Modern packages installed through the Community folder or in-simulator Marketplace | Enormous mature catalogue, although old installers and utilities can cause compatibility problems |
| Platforms | PC and Xbox Series X|S; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released on PlayStation | Windows PC only |
Which simulator feels more realistic?
MSFS 2020 is more realistic in its depiction of the world, weather, lighting and general atmosphere, and its Modern flight model is a more capable foundation than the default FSX engine.
Aircraft quality still matters more than the platform name when comparing cockpit systems. A detailed FSX add-on can simulate an aircraft more deeply than a simplified stock MSFS aircraft, even though FSX remains far behind visually and environmentally.
Before judging MSFS handling, keep the flight model set to Modern unless a particular add-on instructs otherwise. Disable unwanted piloting assists and calibrate control sensitivity and dead zones; assistance settings often explain aircraft that feel unnaturally stable or difficult to control.
When is FSX still the better choice?
FSX is the sensible choice when its offline operation, legacy content or modest basic hardware demands matter more than visual fidelity.
- You already own valuable FSX add-ons: rebuilding a large aircraft and scenery collection in MSFS can be costly and time-consuming.
- You want classic missions: FSX includes structured scenarios that many players still enjoy, rather than concentrating mainly on free flight and shorter activities.
- Your connection is limited: FSX scenery is local, whereas MSFS loses much of its visual advantage without streamed world data.
- You use an older PC: FSX can run on hardware unsuitable for MSFS, provided expectations for complex scenery and aircraft remain realistic.
Our assessment of the cases where FSX still makes sense covers that decision in greater depth. For a new FSX installation on modern Windows, Steam Edition is generally less troublesome than the original boxed release, but it does not remove the simulator's ageing engine or memory limits. Some legacy installers also expect boxed-edition folders or registry entries and may fail to detect Steam Edition.
What PC and internet connection do you need?
MSFS 2020 is substantially more demanding overall, while FSX is lighter but inefficient at using modern multicore hardware.
Compare the practical PC requirements for MSFS with our guidance on what FSX needs on a modern Windows PC before choosing. Published minimum specifications do not represent the experience delivered by detailed airports, busy AI traffic or complex aircraft.
Two common problems are easily misdiagnosed. Blurry or slow-loading MSFS scenery can result from bandwidth or data settings rather than a weak graphics card. FSX stutters and out-of-memory crashes often come from its old CPU and 32-bit limits; lowering AI traffic or scenery complexity and removing conflicting add-ons can help more than installing a faster GPU.
MSFS 2020 offers offline functionality once installed and configured, but streamed scenery, photogrammetry, live services and multiplayer are unavailable or reduced without a connection. FSX is the more dependable choice for a PC that must stay offline.
Can FSX add-ons be used in MSFS 2020?
FSX add-ons generally cannot be copied into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 because the aircraft, gauges, scenery formats and programming interfaces are different.
Some developers have produced separate MSFS editions or properly converted their work, but owning the FSX package does not guarantee compatibility or a free replacement. Do not place an FSX aircraft or scenery folder directly in the MSFS Community folder; it will normally be ignored and may create conflicts or excessive loading times. See our breakdown of FSX-to-MSFS add-on compatibility before planning a move.
Should a new player choose MSFS 2020 or FSX?
A new player should choose MSFS 2020 if the computer and internet connection can support it; FSX is now a specialist choice rather than the best general introduction to civilian flight simulation.
Pick FSX for an established legacy add-on collection, classic missions, offline flying or genuinely low-end hardware. Otherwise, MSFS 2020 gives you the better world, weather, graphics, controller support and long-term base for modern add-ons.
If buying a simulator rather than choosing between licences you already own, remember that MSFS 2020 is no longer the newest release: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 succeeded it. That does not make FSX the stronger alternative, but it does mean a new buyer should also compare MSFS 2020 with MSFS 2024 before paying.