Compare MSFS 2024 vs 2020 in 2026 for career, scenery, VR, add-ons, performance and internet use, with a clear recommendation for your setup.
In 2026, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the better choice for most new buyers: it adds Career Mode, stronger low-level scenery and more detailed pre-flight activity. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remains the better fit for mature add-on collections, slower connections and carefully tuned PCs that already run it well.
The short verdict: MSFS 2024 wins overall
For a new purchase in 2026, MSFS 2024 offers the broader and more forward-looking simulator. By April 2026 it had reached Sim Update 5, so launch-day footage and performance reports are a poor basis for comparing the maintained version.
| Priority | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Career and structured missions | MSFS 2024 | Persistent progression, qualifications, companies and mission-based flying |
| Low-level scenery | MSFS 2024 | Better ground detail, vegetation and terrain presentation |
| Established add-on collection | MSFS 2020 | More mature compatibility with aircraft, airports and external utilities built for it |
| Limited or unreliable internet | MSFS 2020, relatively | Both benefit from online world data, but 2024 relies more heavily on streamed content |
| Smaller starting installation | MSFS 2024 | Its streaming-led architecture reduces the initial local footprint, though caches and optional content increase it |
| PlayStation | MSFS 2024 only | MSFS 2024 is available on PS5 and PS5 Pro; MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation |
Our feature-by-feature breakdown of MSFS 2020 and 2024 covers the individual systems in more detail. The buying decision, though, usually comes down to Career Mode, add-on compatibility, hardware and connection quality.
Are the graphics better in MSFS 2024?
MSFS 2024 usually looks better close to the ground, where its improved terrain materials, vegetation and object detail are most visible. Bush flying, helicopters and low circuits show a larger difference than an airliner viewed from cruise altitude.
The result still depends on streamed data, weather, location and installed scenery. A mature handcrafted airport in MSFS 2020 can look better than an incompatible or unavailable equivalent in 2024, while slow world-data delivery can leave either simulator looking soft. Our focused scenery comparison explains where the visual upgrade is obvious and where it is much less dramatic.
Is Career Mode enough reason to choose MSFS 2024?
Career Mode is the clearest reason to buy MSFS 2024 instead of 2020. It provides qualifications, reputation, aircraft ownership, company management and generated work across activities such as cargo, rescue and specialist aviation.
MSFS 2020 has flight training, landing challenges, bush trips and other activities, but no comparable persistent career system. If structured objectives matter more than unrestricted free flight, 2024 is decisively better; our explanation of what missions and activities MSFS 2020 actually includes clarifies the distinction.
Which version performs better on PC?
Neither simulator is universally faster, because MSFS 2024 combines newer engine work with a more detailed world and greater streaming demands. A computer that only just runs MSFS 2020 should not be assumed to run 2024 at the same settings or frame rate.
- CPU-limited systems: 2024 can distribute some work more effectively, but busy airports, traffic and complex avionics can still expose a main-thread limit.
- GPU-limited systems: increased terrain and object detail may consume any efficiency gained elsewhere.
- Slow connections: blurred terrain, delayed objects or pauses may be data-delivery problems rather than weak graphics hardware.
- Tuned installations: a stable MSFS 2020 configuration can outperform a new 2024 installation carrying incompatible add-ons or copied settings.
When comparing installed copies, use the same resolution, comparable weather and a default aircraft at the same airport. On PC, test with an empty Community folder before blaming the simulator itself; add-on aircraft, traffic tools and scenery can change both frame rate and loading behaviour.
Do MSFS 2020 add-ons work in MSFS 2024?
Many MSFS 2020 add-ons can work in MSFS 2024, but backward compatibility does not guarantee complete operation. Simple liveries and scenery are generally easier to carry across than complex aircraft, avionics, traffic programs and utilities that depend on simulator-specific interfaces.
A mistake we see constantly is copying an entire established Community folder into the newer simulator. That makes it difficult to identify which package causes missing textures, long loading, crashes or broken cockpit systems.
- Keep MSFS 2020 installed until every aircraft and airport essential to you has confirmed 2024 support.
- Start MSFS 2024 clean and verify that default aircraft and scenery work correctly.
- Install updated add-ons individually rather than copying the whole folder.
- Test after each addition, especially with aircraft, avionics and external utilities.
For someone with a large, dependable 2020 hangar, keeping both simulators is often the sensible answer. Use 2024 for native content and Career Mode while retaining 2020 for packages that have not made the transition cleanly.
Which version is better for VR and consoles?
On PC, both simulators support VR through OpenXR, and the better result depends heavily on headset resolution, CPU headroom and graphics settings. MSFS 2020 has the advantage of mature tuning knowledge, while 2024 is the newer platform and includes features unavailable in 2020; see our PC VR performance and support comparison before changing versions solely for VR.
Both versions run on PC and Xbox Series X|S. MSFS 2024 also launched on PS5 and PS5 Pro in December 2025, with PSVR2 support arriving through a free 2026 update. MSFS 2020 has no PlayStation version.
Is MSFS 2024 a free upgrade from 2020?
MSFS 2024 is a separate product, not a free update for MSFS 2020. The two can be installed alongside each other if storage permits, and there is no need to remove 2020 before trying the newer simulator.
Choose MSFS 2024 for a new purchase, Career Mode, better low-level flying, native 2024 aircraft and PlayStation support. Stay with or retain MSFS 2020 when your priority is a proven add-on collection, a finely tuned PC or less dependence on streaming. For most newcomers in 2026, MSFS 2024 is the better simulator overall.