Compare X-Plane 12 and MSFS 2020 on flight physics, scenery, performance, platforms, offline use, add-ons and hardware to choose the right simulator.
For general civilian flight simulation, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is better for spectacular global scenery, easy VFR exploration, built-in multiplayer, beginner assistance and Xbox access. X-Plane 12 is better for aerodynamic experimentation, dependable offline scenery, file-level customisation, specialised cockpits, and macOS or Linux. Aircraft quality often matters more than the platform.
X-Plane 12 vs MSFS 2020 at a glance
The decisive split is MSFS 2020’s accessible visual world versus X-Plane 12’s configurable desktop simulation environment.
| Area | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | X-Plane 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | VFR exploration, sightseeing, multiplayer and console flying | Procedural flying, aircraft development and specialised desktop setups |
| World scenery | Streamed aerial imagery, photogrammetry and broad global coverage | Locally installed procedural scenery with extensive customisation |
| Flight modelling | Modern surface-based model; accuracy depends heavily on the aircraft | Geometry-driven blade-element approach with accessible development tools |
| Beginner use | Approachable tutorials, assistance options and controller support | More configuration-led, with direct access to failures, data and controls |
| Offline use | Works offline with reduced world detail and online services | Core scenery and flying remain available without continuous streaming |
| Platforms | Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S | Windows, macOS and Linux |
| Add-ons | Large PC ecosystem, in-simulator Marketplace and console distribution | Open folders, plugins, datarefs, Plane Maker and direct file access |
| Multiplayer | Integrated shared-world flying | Usually relies more heavily on external services or plugins |
Our broader feature-by-feature comparison of X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator covers weather, multiplayer, pricing and ecosystem differences in more depth.
Which looks better and works best offline?
MSFS 2020 looks better out of the box, while X-Plane 12 provides the more predictable offline scenery installation.
MSFS streams aerial imagery and photogrammetry where coverage is available, producing recognisable roads, coastlines, cities and landmarks without a manual scenery build. Quality varies by region: imagery can be old, photogrammetry may look distorted close up, and bandwidth, server or cache problems can leave blurred ground textures. A convincing city also does not guarantee an accurate airport layout.
If MSFS suddenly looks soft, check that online world data is enabled and that bandwidth, data limits or cached content are not blocking the stream. Raising graphics settings will not restore imagery that was never downloaded.
X-Plane installs its core world locally and constructs it from terrain, roads, land-use data and placed objects. The result is consistent offline but usually less geographically exact. Orthophotos, custom mesh and regional packages can narrow the visual gap, although they require substantial storage and setup work.
A common X-Plane failure is incorrect ordering in Custom Scenery/scenery_packs.ini. A misplaced overlay, mesh or airport entry can hide objects or damage terrain around a runway. Airports generally need higher priority than overlays, with base mesh below both, although individual packages may include their own instructions.
Both simulators offer live weather, volumetric clouds and changing surface conditions. MSFS usually presents the wider world more dramatically; X-Plane ties weather closely to its aerodynamic and runway-surface calculations. Neither reproduces every cloud layer, wind report or local transition perfectly.
Which has more realistic flight physics and systems?
X-Plane 12 has the clearer edge for aerodynamic experimentation, but neither simulator makes every aircraft realistic automatically.
X-Plane calculates forces across sections of the modelled aircraft, commonly described as its blade-element approach. Developers can work directly with geometry, airfoils, engines, mass, control movement and stability systems through tools such as Plane Maker. This is useful for unusual designs, helicopters and changing airframes.
MSFS 2020 also uses a modern surface-based flight model; the claim that it relies only on simple lookup tables is outdated. A carefully configured MSFS aircraft can behave more convincingly than a poorly tuned X-Plane model. Incorrect dimensions, mass distribution, engine data, control deflections or artificial stability will undermine either simulator.
For airliners, avionics and systems implementation often matter more than small differences between the base aerodynamic engines. FMS logic, electrical buses, hydraulic failures and autopilot modes must be built by the aircraft developer. A sophisticated MSFS airliner can therefore deliver better procedural realism than a basic X-Plane model, and the reverse is equally true.
A mistake we see constantly is comparing a complex add-on airliner in one simulator with a simplified default aircraft in the other. Compare similar aircraft at the same weight, then match weather, assistance settings and control calibration. Duplicate pitch, roll, rudder or trim assignments on an unused gamepad can make either simulator feel unstable.
Which is better for beginners and serious simming?
MSFS 2020 is generally easier for a first flight, while X-Plane 12 gives experienced desktop users more direct control over the simulation.
Microsoft’s tutorials, assistance settings, controller support and visual presentation make it easier to start with a gamepad or basic joystick. It is particularly well suited to VFR touring and casual multiplayer. Disable artificial assistance before using handling as a basis for comparison, because assisted rudder, trim or stall behaviour can disguise what the aircraft model is doing.
X-Plane’s interface is more functional than entertainment-led. Its strengths become clearer when configuring failures, data outputs, response curves, multiple displays, plugins or a specialised cockpit. Neither platform guarantees a study-level aircraft, so compare the exact aeroplane and avionics package you intend to use.
Which simulator runs better?
Neither simulator is consistently faster because the limiting component changes with the aircraft, airport, weather, traffic, resolution and settings.
- Match the workload. Use comparable aircraft, weather, traffic, airport density and output resolution.
- Control the add-ons. Do not compare stock X-Plane with an orthophoto-heavy installation, or default MSFS with a complex airport and glass-cockpit aircraft. Temporarily remove third-party content when diagnosing unexplained stutters or loading delays.
- Match settings by effect. The names and scales differ, so compare similar object density, cloud quality, traffic and image quality rather than copying numerical presets.
- Clean the controls. Remove duplicate axis assignments and calibrate the same hardware before judging handling.
- Test representative flying. Include the dense airport or complex aircraft you intend to use, not only a quiet rural strip.
MSFS 2020 may become main-thread limited through terrain detail, traffic or complex avionics, while high resolution and streamed scenery can expose GPU, network or cache problems. X-Plane 12 may become CPU-limited at detailed airports or through complex plugins, and GPU- or video-memory-limited through clouds, shadows, anti-aliasing, textures and custom scenery.
A single frame-rate result cannot establish a universal winner. Visual realism also says nothing by itself about stalls, propeller effects, autopilot logic or failure simulation.
What platforms and internet connection do you need?
X-Plane 12 supports more desktop operating systems and works more predictably offline, while MSFS 2020 is the only one of the pair available on a console.
- Windows PC: Both simulators are available.
- macOS or Linux: Choose X-Plane 12; MSFS 2020 has no native version for either platform.
- Xbox Series X|S: Choose MSFS 2020; X-Plane 12 has no console edition.
- PlayStation: Neither applies. MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a separate product available on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
- Limited or capped internet: X-Plane 12 is safer because its normal scenery is installed locally. MSFS 2020 operates with online services disabled, but its world loses much of its signature detail.
- PC VR: Both support VR on compatible desktop systems. Aircraft complexity, headset resolution and graphics settings often matter more than the simulator name.
Can X-Plane and MSFS use the same add-ons and cockpit hardware?
Add-ons cannot be transferred between X-Plane and MSFS, even when they represent the same aircraft, airport or utility.
X-Plane packages commonly belong in Aircraft, Custom Scenery or Resources/plugins. Its exposed aircraft folders, plugins, datarefs and Plane Maker resources suit file-level modification, multi-display cockpits and specialised interfaces, but compatibility must be checked carefully. X-Plane 11 aircraft, plugins and scenery may load in X-Plane 12, yet changes to the flight model, weather, lighting and rendering mean compatibility is not guaranteed.
MSFS 2020 PC packages commonly use its Community folder or the built-in Marketplace. The Community folder’s location varies with the installation method. Xbox users cannot install ordinary PC Community packages and are limited to console-compatible Marketplace content.
Compare the available MSFS aircraft and utility add-ons with our X-Plane aircraft, scenery and utility library before selecting a platform around one aeroplane. If an update causes crashes or unusually long loading, test again without recently added Community packages or X-Plane plugins before blaming the simulator itself.
Both simulators can support yokes, pedals, throttles and cockpit controls, but direct compatibility varies. Check drivers, available axes, multi-monitor requirements and required plugin or interface software before assuming an existing cockpit will work unchanged. X-Plane’s open desktop structure often makes specialised installations easier to inspect and modify.
Which simulator should you choose?
Choose MSFS 2020 for scenery and accessibility; choose X-Plane 12 for offline control, desktop flexibility and aircraft experimentation.
- Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 for low-level VFR, recognisable places without manually installing scenery, built-in multiplayer, beginner-friendly assistance or flying on Xbox.
- Choose X-Plane 12 for macOS or Linux, unreliable internet, aircraft design, direct file access, extensive control assignments or a specialised cockpit.
- Choose by aircraft when one airliner, helicopter or business jet is your priority. Its systems, avionics and flight-model quality can outweigh the differences between the platforms.
- Check storage and connectivity. MSFS benefits from reliable broadband, while an orthophoto-heavy X-Plane installation can consume substantial local disk space.
- Keep both if you already own them and have sufficient storage. MSFS suits visual touring, while X-Plane may better serve particular aircraft, procedures or hardware configurations.
What should you check before changing simulators?
Before changing platforms, verify that your controls, navigation data and essential add-ons will work in the destination simulator.
- Rebuild control profiles. Start with one assignment per axis, calibrate the hardware, then add response curves only where needed.
- Check navigation data. Mismatched cycles can cause missing waypoints, airway errors or flight plans that an FMC refuses to load.
- Verify exact versions. Add-ons advertised for X-Plane 11, X-Plane 12, MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 are not automatically interchangeable.
- Do not confuse Microsoft generations. MSFS 2024 is a separate successor rather than an update to MSFS 2020. Our comparison of X-Plane 12, MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 explains which generation best fits a new purchase.