Navigraph charts and navdata are not fully free in MSFS 2020. See what needs a subscription, what MSFS includes, and which apps cost nothing.
No. Navigraph Charts and Navigraph navdata are not free for full use with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020; they require an active Navigraph subscription. Creating an account and installing Navigraph Hub or Simlink costs nothing, but those utilities do not unlock charts or current AIRAC data. MSFS 2020's stock navigation database is included.
What can you use for free?
You can use MSFS 2020 without paying for Navigraph, and its standard navigation database is sufficient for VFR flying and much casual IFR flying. The free Navigraph components are mainly account and connection tools, not the chart and data content itself.
| Item | Free? | What you receive |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 stock navdata | Included | The simulator's own airports, navaids, airways and procedures. |
| Navigraph account | Yes | An account for signing into Navigraph services, without full chart or AIRAC access. |
| Navigraph Hub and Simlink | Yes | Installation and simulator-connection utilities; they do not include a free chart library. |
| Navigraph Charts | No for full use | Subscription access is required for the chart library, route-planning features and integrated moving-map functions. |
| Navigraph navdata | No | A subscription is required to download updated AIRAC data for MSFS 2020 and compatible add-ons. |
Our Hub and Simlink set-up walkthrough explains what each application does and where the subscription is used.
What does a Navigraph subscription unlock?
A Navigraph subscription provides two related but separate resources: aviation charts and updated navigation databases.
- Navigraph Charts: en-route charts, airport diagrams, departure and arrival charts, approach plates, route planning and compatible moving-map integration.
- Navigraph navdata: AIRAC-cycle data for the MSFS 2020 navigation database and supported third-party aircraft or planning tools.
Installing navdata does not unlock chart plates, and installing the Charts panel does not replace the database used by the aircraft's flight-management system. A mistake we see constantly is treating the in-game panel as free because the panel itself can be installed. The software and the licensed content are separate.
Do you need Navigraph for MSFS 2020?
You do not need Navigraph to fly MSFS 2020, but it becomes useful when accurate IFR procedures and agreement between charts, flight plans and aircraft avionics matter.
- Use the stock database for VFR flying, basic route planning and casual IFR where an occasional procedure mismatch is acceptable.
- Choose Navigraph when you want charts and avionics aligned to the same AIRAC cycle, particularly for realistic airliner operations or organised online flying.
- Use official aviation publications when free charts are available for the country concerned and you do not need Navigraph's integrated worldwide interface or moving map.
Our comparison of free and paid chart sources for MSFS covers the practical differences between simulator maps, official publications and subscription charts.
Can you update MSFS 2020 navdata for free?
MSFS 2020's own navigation data receives updates without a separate Navigraph payment, but that does not provide the Navigraph database or guarantee agreement with charts from another AIRAC cycle.
If a chart shows an approach, waypoint or runway transition that your avionics cannot find, compare the AIRAC cycle shown by each product. Our stock-versus-Navigraph navdata update guide explains how the two update routes differ.
Why does the Navigraph panel still ask for a subscription?
The in-game Charts panel is only a client for the Navigraph service, so installing it does not grant chart access.
If you already subscribe but the panel remains locked, confirm that Hub, Charts and the in-game authorisation all use the same Navigraph account. Sign out, complete the browser authorisation again and restart the simulator. The detailed controls and sign-in process are covered in our MSFS 2020 Navigraph toolbar instructions.
What causes charts and avionics to disagree?
Mismatched AIRAC cycles are the usual cause of missing waypoints, unavailable approaches or different runway transitions.
- Compare the cycle labels shown by Charts, the simulator and any aircraft-specific database.
- Update compatible products together so the charts and avionics use the same cycle where possible.
- Check for conflicting packages if procedures are duplicated or missing after an update. Temporarily remove other navdata modifications, reinstall through Hub and restart MSFS 2020.
On Xbox, the PC-based Hub navdata package cannot be installed into the simulator's locked file system. Subscribed charts can still be viewed on another device, while in-aircraft chart support depends on the particular aircraft integration.