Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 still worth buying?

Yes—Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is still worth buying when it is substantially cheaper than MSFS 2024, your PC runs it more predictably, or a required add-on supports only 2020. Existing owners need not replace a stable setup. At similar prices, most first-time buyers should choose MSFS 2024.

When is MSFS 2020 still worth buying or keeping?

MSFS 2020 remains a sensible choice when price, compatibility or a proven setup matters more than MSFS 2024's newer systems.

• You already own it: MSFS 2024 did not make a stable 2020 installation obsolete. Keep using it unless the newer features justify another purchase.
• It is heavily discounted: compare checkout prices for the editions you would actually buy, including any essential aircraft or scenery.
• You require a particular add-on: confirm that the exact aircraft, utility or scenery package supports 2020 and is still maintained.
• Your PC runs it acceptably: known performance at detailed airports is more useful than relying on minimum specifications for a different simulator.
• You want an established flying sandbox: MSFS 2020 still supports Free Flight, training, Bush Trips, worldwide VFR and IFR operations, airliners, general aviation and PC VR.

MSFS 2020 or 2024: which should you buy?

Choose MSFS 2020 for a discounted, established setup; choose MSFS 2024 when starting fresh at a similar price.

Both releases are available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, but only MSFS 2024 is available on PlayStation. Our comparison of the feature, scenery, performance and add-on differences between MSFS 2020 and 2024 covers the buying decision in greater depth.

Does MSFS 2020 still look and fly well?

Yes, MSFS 2020 still delivers convincing global scenery, live weather, capable default aircraft and sophisticated third-party aeroplanes. Launch-era reviews do not reflect every simulator and world update subsequently delivered.

MSFS 2024 improves low-level terrain, vegetation and surface detail in supported areas. Those gains matter most to helicopter pilots, bush flyers and anyone operating close to the ground; our practical comparison of MSFS 2020 and 2024 graphics explains where the difference is most visible.

If 2020 suddenly shows blurry or generic terrain, do not assume its age is responsible. Check that Online Functionality and Bing world data are enabled, that no data limit has been reached, and that the connection can keep up with scenery streaming.

Do MSFS 2020 add-ons still make it worthwhile?

Yes—the mature aircraft, scenery and utility catalogue is one of MSFS 2020's strongest advantages, particularly on PC. Our library of Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons and mods shows the breadth of content available for the platform.

A common mistake is buying the simulator for one aircraft without checking that product's exact requirements. Some add-ons have separate 2020 and 2024 editions, while others rely on backwards compatibility or require a paid or free upgrade. Include those costs when comparing simulator editions.

Will MSFS 2020 add-ons work in MSFS 2024?

Compatibility must be checked product by product; owning a 2020 add-on does not guarantee flawless operation in 2024. Simple liveries and scenery may need little alteration, while complex aircraft and utilities can require dedicated updates, revised installers or new licences. Control profiles may also need rebuilding.

Do not copy an entire PC Community folder into MSFS 2024 and then attempt to diagnose crashes or missing cockpit functions. Add packages in small batches and test each batch. If MSFS 2020 itself starts crashing after new content is installed, test it with the Community folder empty before repairing or reinstalling the simulator.

Xbox does not offer the PC Community-folder workflow or support many external utilities. Do not treat the complete PC add-on ecosystem as an Xbox benefit.

Do existing owners need to upgrade?

No. MSFS 2024 is a separate product, licence, purchase and installation rather than an in-place update for MSFS 2020. The two can coexist if the PC has enough storage, allowing owners to keep 2020 available while checking aircraft, scenery, utilities and control bindings in 2024.

On PC, treat their package and Community folders as separate environments. Merging them blindly risks incompatibilities and makes faulty packages much harder to isolate.

What are the drawbacks of buying MSFS 2020?

The main drawbacks are its older feature set, storage demands and reliance on online services for the complete experience.

• No integrated career framework: buyers seeking structured progression, missions and newer activities should generally choose MSFS 2024.
• Large storage requirements: world content, aircraft, scenery and rolling cache add to the initial installation. Leave SSD space for updates and temporary installation files.
• Dependence on online data: streamed imagery, photogrammetry, live weather, traffic and multiplayer require connectivity. Downloaded packages permit reduced offline use, but 2020 is not an offline-first simulator.
• No PlayStation version: PS5 and PS5 Pro owners need MSFS 2024.
• Potentially confusing edition names: the 40th Anniversary Edition is still MSFS 2020. Higher editions add bundled aircraft and airports, not a newer rendering or physics engine.

Will your PC and internet connection cope?

MSFS 2020 needs a reasonably capable PC, spare SSD capacity and a steady connection for its best scenery; meeting minimum requirements does not promise smooth performance at a detailed airport.

Dense airports, traffic and complex cockpit systems can expose a CPU main-thread limit. High resolutions, clouds and render scaling increase GPU load, while laptops and compact systems must sustain performance without thermal throttling. Our hardware guidance for running Microsoft Flight Simulator on a compact PC explains the compromises that also affect modest desktops.

MSFS 2020 installs more content locally than MSFS 2024's more streaming-dependent package model, but it still needs online scenery data for its best presentation. A fast computer cannot compensate for an unreliable connection causing blurred ground textures or delayed photogrammetry.

The practical buying rule

Buy Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 when all three statements are true:

• It costs materially less than MSFS 2024 after comparing the editions you would purchase.
• You have a specific hardware, add-on or workflow reason for choosing it.
• You prefer a mature sandbox over the newer career and activity systems.

If those conditions do not apply, MSFS 2024 is the better first purchase. Existing owners can keep enjoying MSFS 2020, but new buyers should let price and compatibility—not nostalgia or a larger edition label—decide.