Is X-Plane 12 better than Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?
Neither simulator is universally better. X-Plane 12 is usually the stronger choice for desktop pilots who prioritise flight-model transparency, offline scenery, Linux or macOS support, and deep configuration. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is better for streamed world scenery, visual immersion, built-in multiplayer, easier onboarding, and Xbox support.
X-Plane 12 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 at a glance
The right choice depends on what you expect the simulator to reproduce most convincingly.
| Priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Global VFR scenery | MSFS 2020 | Streamed aerial imagery, detailed terrain and photogrammetry in supported locations |
| Aircraft modelling and configuration | X-Plane 12 | Blade-element flight modelling, Plane Maker and accessible aircraft parameters |
| Offline use | X-Plane 12 | Its installed scenery is more self-contained and does not depend on streamed imagery |
| Beginner accessibility | MSFS 2020 | More assistance options, tutorials and an approachable interface |
| macOS or Linux | X-Plane 12 | Native desktop versions are available; MSFS 2020 is Windows-only on PC |
| Console flying | MSFS 2020 | Available on Xbox Series X|S; X-Plane 12 has no console edition |
| Built-in multiplayer | MSFS 2020 | Easier access to shared-world flying without external software |
| Aircraft systems | Depends on the aircraft | High-fidelity systems are aircraft-specific rather than guaranteed by either simulator |
Which simulator has the more realistic flight model?
X-Plane 12 has the clearer advantage for aerodynamic experimentation and aircraft development, but that does not make every X-Plane aircraft more accurate than every MSFS aircraft.
X-Plane calculates forces across virtual blade elements and exposes much of an aircraft's geometry and aerodynamic configuration through Plane Maker. This makes it especially useful for testing unusual designs, tuning handling and understanding why an aircraft behaves in a particular way.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 also models distributed aerodynamic surfaces and can produce convincing handling. In both simulators, the finished result depends on the aircraft developer's geometry, performance data, control logic, systems and testing. A carefully developed MSFS aircraft can outperform a poorly configured X-Plane model, particularly for type-specific procedures and systems.
A mistake we see constantly is treating the simulator's underlying physics as a guarantee of aircraft fidelity. Our wider explanation of how flight-simulator realism should be judged separates aerodynamic behaviour, cockpit systems, weather and visual immersion.
Which has better graphics and scenery?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has substantially better default world scenery for sightseeing and visual navigation.
Its streamed aerial imagery, terrain data and photogrammetry can make coastlines, roads and cities recognisable from the air. Results vary: imagery may be old, photogrammetry can look distorted close up, and disabling online data reduces the visual advantage.
X-Plane 12 stores its main scenery locally and builds the environment from terrain, road and object data rather than presenting the whole world as photographic ground imagery. Its lighting, weather and airport environments can be convincing, but the default terrain usually looks less like the exact place being flown over. Orthophoto scenery can narrow that gap, at the cost of storage space and installation work. See our detailed comparison of flight-simulator scenery realism if the view outside is your deciding factor.
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 assistance settings, controller support, tutorials 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, although those assistance settings should be disabled before judging the handling.
X-Plane's interface is functional rather than entertainment-led. Its strengths become clearer when configuring failures, data outputs, control curves, multiple displays, plugins or a specialised cockpit. Neither simulator guarantees a study-level airliner: compare the exact aircraft you intend to fly, not just the platform.
Which simulator runs better?
Neither simulator is consistently faster because performance changes with the aircraft, airport, weather, scenery and hardware balance.
MSFS 2020 can be limited by CPU performance in dense airports, GPU load at high render scaling, and internet quality when online scenery is enabled. X-Plane 12 can become CPU-bound with high object density or complex plugins, while clouds, anti-aliasing and high-resolution aircraft can place heavy demands on the GPU.
For a fair comparison, use the same resolution, similar weather, comparable aircraft and an ordinary airport, then remove third-party add-ons. Comparing an empty X-Plane runway with a detailed MSFS hub—or comparing different graphics presets—does not tell you which engine suits your computer.
What platforms and internet connection do you need?
- 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 is desktop-only.
- PlayStation: Neither applies. MSFS 2020 was never released for PlayStation, although Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a separate simulator available on PS5 and PS5 Pro.
- Limited internet: X-Plane 12 is the safer choice because its normal scenery is installed locally. MSFS 2020 can operate with online services disabled, but its world looks less detailed.
- PC VR: Both can support VR on compatible desktop setups, but the aircraft and graphics settings often matter more than the simulator name.
How do add-ons affect the comparison?
Add-ons can reverse the verdict for one specific aircraft or region. Both simulators have strong freeware and commercial ecosystems, but files are not interchangeable between them.
X-Plane packages commonly belong in Aircraft, Custom Scenery or Resources/plugins. MSFS packages normally use the Community folder, whose location varies with the installation method. Our freeware aircraft, scenery and add-on library covers both platforms.
Choose the simulator that supports the aircraft, avionics, airport and hardware integration you actually want. A favourite high-fidelity add-on is a better decision criterion than the number of aircraft included in a particular edition.
Which one should you choose?
Choose X-Plane 12 for aircraft-focused desktop simulation; choose MSFS 2020 for accessible flying over a visually recognisable world.
- Buy X-Plane 12 if you use macOS or Linux, fly offline, develop or tune aircraft, need extensive configuration, or care more about aerodynamic modelling than photographic scenery.
- Buy MSFS 2020 if you want global VFR sightseeing, Xbox support, straightforward multiplayer, accessible tutorials or stronger default scenery.
- Judge the exact aircraft first if your priority is airliner systems, military procedures or a particular avionics suite. Platform-level comparisons cannot establish the fidelity of an individual add-on.
If purchasing rather than comparing software you already own, remember that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a separate successor, not an update to MSFS 2020. Its career features, platforms and technical changes make it a different comparison; our X-Plane 12 and MSFS 2024 breakdown covers that decision directly.