Compare Microsoft Flight Simulator vs Infinite Flight for realism, scenery, controls, platforms, multiplayer and cost to choose the right sim.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is better for realism, scenery, aircraft systems and home-cockpit hardware; Infinite Flight is better for convenient mobile flying on iOS or Android. Choose MSFS for detailed desktop or console simulation. Choose Infinite Flight when portability, touch controls and quick access matter more than visual and systems depth.
MSFS vs Infinite Flight at a glance
The core difference is hardware: Microsoft Flight Simulator is a full desktop and console simulator, while Infinite Flight is designed around phones and tablets.
This comparison primarily uses Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro. MSFS 2020 remains a PC and Xbox product and was never released on PlayStation. Our breakdown of the differences between MSFS 2020 and 2024 explains the career, physics, streaming and compatibility changes.
| Area | Microsoft Flight Simulator | Infinite Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro | iOS and Android |
| Flight modelling | Deeper weather, airflow and ground interaction; fidelity varies between aircraft | Convincing mobile flight model with simplified physics and ground handling |
| Aircraft systems | More interactive controls, failures and complex avionics | Core navigation and airline procedures, but fewer functional systems |
| Scenery | Streamed worldwide imagery, detailed terrain and photogrammetry in supported areas | Optimised global mobile scenery with less terrain, building and landmark detail |
| Controls | Gamepad, keyboard, joystick, yoke, pedals and specialist cockpit hardware | Designed primarily for touch and tilt controls |
| Online flying | Multiplayer, live traffic and automated ATC | Structured multiplayer with human-operated ATC when controllers are available |
| Add-ons | Large aircraft, airport, scenery and utility ecosystem, especially on PC | No traditional user-installed add-on ecosystem |
Which simulator is more realistic?
Microsoft Flight Simulator is more realistic overall. It models a richer atmosphere, more detailed terrain, varied runway surfaces and substantially deeper aircraft systems. It also supports proper yokes, throttles, rudder pedals and cockpit panels, which makes control inputs closer to those in an aeroplane.
That does not make every MSFS aircraft study-level. Default and add-on aircraft vary considerably, and enabled assists can hide or alter realistic behaviour. A fair comparison requires similar weather, weight, assistance and control settings.
Infinite Flight is strong enough for practising flight planning, navigation, approaches, checklists and basic airline workflows. Its system depth, failure modelling and environmental physics remain simplified to suit mobile hardware. Our closer assessment of Infinite Flight's strengths and limitations covers its aircraft, controls and subscription features.
Which has better scenery and performance?
Microsoft Flight Simulator has much better scenery, but it demands considerably more processing power and internet bandwidth.
MSFS streams much of its world data and combines it with detailed terrain, vegetation, buildings and selected photogrammetry cities. Infinite Flight provides a recognisable worldwide environment and 3D airports within mobile constraints, but it cannot match the density or ground-level detail of MSFS. Our comparison of worldwide simulator scenery puts that visual advantage in context.
Performance changes the practical answer. MSFS may stutter or display blurry terrain when hardware, storage or world-data streaming cannot keep up. Reducing traffic and terrain or object detail is usually more effective than lowering every setting indiscriminately.
Infinite Flight runs on far less expensive hardware, although older devices can still suffer from heat, battery drain and reduced frame rates. If tilt controls feel unstable, recalibrate the device in a normal flying position and reduce control sensitivity before judging the flight model.
Does Infinite Flight have better multiplayer and ATC?
Infinite Flight can offer the more structured multiplayer experience when its human ATC network is staffed.
Controllers can manage clearances, taxiing, departures and arrivals, while account and server rules encourage orderly flying. The limitation is availability: the airport or position required may not have a controller, and full online functionality requires the appropriate subscription access.
MSFS provides a much larger visual world, multiplayer traffic and automated ATC without relying on volunteer coverage. Its automated instructions can be inconsistent, however, so neither simulator's ATC should be treated as an authoritative source for real-world procedures.
Which simulator is cheaper?
Infinite Flight has the lower entry cost if a suitable phone or tablet is already available, but its full experience relies on recurring Pro access.
MSFS requires a software purchase or qualifying subscription plus a capable PC or console. Yokes, pedals and paid aircraft can raise the total considerably, although none is essential for starting. Over several years, compare Infinite Flight's recurring fee with the MSFS edition and hardware you would actually use rather than comparing only the initial app prices.
Should you choose MSFS or Infinite Flight?
Choose according to where and how you expect to fly:
- Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator for the best scenery, deeper aircraft, weather, hardware support, add-ons and long flights from a fixed setup.
- Choose Infinite Flight for portable airline flying, touch controls, quick sessions and organised mobile multiplayer.
- Choose MSFS on PC when community add-ons and the widest peripheral compatibility matter. Console versions are simpler to maintain but have tighter hardware and content restrictions; our PC and Xbox platform comparison explains those trade-offs.
- Use both if mobile convenience and high-fidelity home simulation solve different needs. Infinite Flight works well as a portable companion rather than a direct replacement for MSFS.
Our verdict is that Microsoft Flight Simulator is the better simulator overall. Infinite Flight wins within the narrower mobile category because it makes credible global flying, navigation and multiplayer practical on a phone or tablet.