MSFS 2020 and 2024 are not permanently free. Compare Game Pass, promotions, cloud play, purchase options, freeware and controller support.
No. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are paid simulators, not permanently free-to-play games. You can buy a licence or use an eligible Xbox Game Pass subscription while access remains included; occasional free-play promotions are temporary. A controller or free add-on does not include the base simulator.
Is MSFS free on PC, Xbox or PlayStation?
Microsoft Flight Simulator requires a purchase or eligible subscription access regardless of the device used to play it.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 launched on PC and Xbox Series X|S on 19 November 2024, followed by PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro on 8 December 2025. It was the first Flight Simulator released on PlayStation. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remains available only for PC and Xbox; it was never released for PlayStation.
| Access method | Is it free? | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | No | The licence follows the account, platform and edition purchased. |
| Xbox Game Pass | No | An eligible paid plan is required, and catalogue access is not permanent ownership. |
| Cloud gaming | No | You still need eligible access, a supported region and a reliable connection. |
| Free-play promotion | Temporarily | Access ends when the promotion finishes. |
| Freeware add-ons | Only the add-ons | A compatible installation of the base simulator is required. |
MSFS 2024 is also not a free upgrade for MSFS 2020 owners. They are separate releases, and owning one does not grant a licence for the other. If you decide to purchase the newer release, our MSFS 2024 edition comparison explains how to choose by included aircraft and airports rather than assuming the most expensive package is necessary.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator free with Xbox Game Pass?
Game Pass can provide Microsoft Flight Simulator access through an eligible plan, but it does not turn MSFS into a free game or give you a permanent copy.
A mistake we see constantly is treating subscription access as ownership. If the membership expires, the relevant plan changes, the simulator leaves the catalogue or the wrong account is signed in, MSFS may report that you do not own it. Our guide to how Microsoft Flight Simulator works with Game Pass covers access on PC, Xbox and supported cloud gaming.
Do not assume that buying through one PC storefront unlocks another storefront or a console version. Entitlements follow the account, platform and licence terms used for the purchase. Buying an aircraft, airport or other add-on separately does not include the base simulator.
What is the cheapest legitimate way to try MSFS?
The lowest-cost legitimate test is usually a short period on an eligible subscription or an official free-play promotion, using hardware and a controller you already own.
- Choose a subscription when you want to assess the simulator before buying a permanent licence. Confirm that the required MSFS release, plan and platform are eligible.
- Choose cloud gaming when your computer cannot run MSFS locally. Streaming reduces the local hardware requirement, not the cost of access.
- Use a promotion when one is officially offered, but check its end date and platform restrictions.
- Buy the simulator when you expect to fly regularly, want local community add-ons or do not want to depend on a changing subscription catalogue.
Neither MSFS 2020 nor MSFS 2024 has a permanent, unrestricted public demo. Game Pass counts as a trial only when the subscription itself is covered by a specific trial offer. Our summary of Microsoft Flight Simulator demos and trial options explains the distinction.
Cloud play is access, not ownership
Cloud streaming can run MSFS on a low-powered computer with a standard controller, but latency and video compression make precise landings and small cockpit text harder to manage.
Many yokes, throttles and pedals cannot pass through the streaming layer, while local Community-folder add-ons are generally unavailable. A Chromebook cannot run the Windows version natively; it can serve as a screen and input device for supported cloud gaming or remote play, but the remote service, Xbox or host PC still needs legitimate simulator access.
Remote play from your own computer also requires that machine to remain powered on and capable of running MSFS. Cloud play is therefore best for testing, sightseeing and controller-based flying, not for a heavily modified installation or specialist cockpit hardware.
Can you play MSFS for free with a controller?
You can fly Microsoft Flight Simulator with a controller, but owning the controller does not provide free access to the simulator.
MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 support a standard Xbox controller on Windows through USB or Bluetooth. On supported consoles, the platform's standard controller is the normal starting point. For PC use, we recommend the controller for aircraft movement, a mouse for cockpit switches and rotary controls, and a keyboard for less frequently used commands.
A practical controller setup
The most reliable setup starts with the default gamepad profile and adds only the controls needed for normal flight.
- Connect the controller before starting MSFS. Bluetooth is suitable for normal use, but test with USB first if you suspect pairing trouble, a weak battery or wireless interference.
- Confirm that the operating system detects every input. If Windows cannot see the sticks, triggers and buttons, changing simulator settings will not fix the underlying problem.
- Start from the default profile. Duplicate it or create a custom profile before making extensive changes so the original mapping remains available.
- Bind flight-critical commands first. Cover pitch, roll, rudder, throttle, brakes, pitch trim, camera look, cockpit interaction and pause before adding gear, flaps or secondary systems.
- Correct drift with the smallest effective deadzone. Increase it only until an untouched stick stops generating input. A large deadzone makes small corrections and landing flares harder.
- Test in a simple aeroplane and calm weather. This separates controller faults from complex aircraft systems, turbulence and crosswinds.
Control-menu wording and profile handling differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, but the method remains the same: verify the device, begin with a known profile, bind the essentials and tune one axis at a time.
When is a controller enough?
A controller is sufficient for learning MSFS, sightseeing, casual VFR flights and aircraft that spend much of the flight on autopilot.
| Type of flying | Controller suitability | Reason to consider dedicated controls |
|---|---|---|
| Learning and sightseeing | Very good | No urgent upgrade is needed. |
| Casual VFR flying | Good | A joystick permits finer corrections near the centre. |
| Airliner operations | Good | Dedicated controls help when hand-flying approaches frequently. |
| Crosswind and precision landings | Usable but demanding | Longer control travel makes inputs easier to repeat. |
| Helicopters and taildraggers | Workable but difficult | Continuous precise control is less tiring with specialist hardware. |
Why is the controller not detected or the aircraft wandering?
Missing inputs usually come from the operating system, wireless connection or control profile, while unwanted movement commonly results from stick drift, duplicate bindings, trim, assistance settings or the autopilot.
- Test with a USB cable. This quickly rules out Bluetooth pairing, battery and interference problems.
- Reconnect before launching MSFS. Some configurations detect a gamepad more reliably when it is present at startup.
- Disconnect other input devices temporarily. A second controller, steering wheel, yoke or pedal set may still be sending an axis command.
- Search every active profile for duplicate assignments. Two devices controlling the same axis can make cockpit controls shake, wander or snap back.
- Disable controller-remapping software for a test. Let MSFS read the gamepad directly while diagnosing missing or doubled inputs.
- Inspect trim and autopilot modes. An out-of-trim aeroplane will not hold attitude, while an engaged autopilot may oppose manual input.
- Separate drift from normal aerodynamics. A propeller aeroplane may yaw or roll under power because of torque, slipstream or wind even with centred controls. Correct that with rudder rather than hiding it behind an excessive deadzone.
- Return to a clean control profile. This is often faster than untangling extensive edits and conflicting bindings.
What can you download for free?
Aircraft, scenery, liveries and utilities can be free, but they are add-ons for a legitimate, compatible installation rather than substitutes for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Our free Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons library contains community aircraft, scenery and other enhancements. Check the stated simulator generation and installation instructions before downloading: an MSFS 2020 package is not automatically compatible with MSFS 2024, and placing incompatible content in the active Community folder can cause missing items, long loading times or startup problems.
Avoid unofficial free full-version downloads
A site offering a permanent free full copy of MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 without a purchase, subscription or official promotion is a warning sign.
Unauthorised packages may contain malware, fail account and online-service checks, miss essential updates and prevent aircraft or scenery add-ons from working. Freeware can expand a legitimate installation, but it never replaces the base simulator licence.