Software · head to head
ARINC Direct vs AviaSIM Pro
ARINC Direct
Software
Real-time flight operations and dispatch platform
- From
- $500/month
- Rated
- -
AviaSIM Pro
Software
Professional flight simulation and pilot training platform
- From
- $179/session
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: ARINC Direct no free trial available to evaluate platform before purchase commitment; AviaSIM Pro limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training
- They diverge on capability: ARINC Direct covers Real-time flight tracking, AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ARINC Direct and AviaSIM Pro actually diverge.
| Attribute | ARINC Direct | AviaSIM Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $500/month | $179/session |
| Platforms | Web | In-person facility |
| Founded | 1982 | 2012 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in ARINC Direct
- Real-time flight tracking
- Dispatch management
- Crew coordination
- Weather integration
- Maintenance scheduling
- ACARS systems
- Jeppesen flight planning
- ForeFlight
Only in AviaSIM Pro
- High-fidelity flight models
- Real-time weather simulation
- Emergency procedure training
- Multi-crew coordination
- Performance analytics
- Flight deck hardware
- Motion platforms
- LMS systems
Both cover
- SOC 2 Type II certified
- Data encryption
- RBAC
- Audit logging
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ARINC Direct
- Flight dispatchnot AviaSIM Pro
- Crew managementnot AviaSIM Pro
- Weather monitoringnot AviaSIM Pro
- Maintenance coordinationnot AviaSIM Pro
- Regulatory compliancenot AviaSIM Pro
AviaSIM Pro
- Initial type ratingnot ARINC Direct
- Recurrent trainingnot ARINC Direct
- Emergency proceduresnot ARINC Direct
- CRM trainingnot ARINC Direct
- Proficiency checksnot ARINC Direct
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
ARINC Direct
- No free trial available to evaluate platform before purchase commitment
- Pricing structure lacks transparency with wide range of costs depending on user count
- Requires specialized training for regulatory compliance workflows
AviaSIM Pro
- Limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training
- Locations concentrated in specific cities, limiting accessibility for most potential users
- High session costs may be prohibitive for recreational learners ($179 minimum for 60 minutes)
Pricing, plan by plan
ARINC Direct
$500/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ARINC Direct review.
AviaSIM Pro
$179/session- Discovery Package$179/60 min session
- Full-size commercial cockpit
- Professional instructor
- 180-degree HD displays
- Pilot Introductory Program$549/240 min session
- Half-day immersion
- Theory and hands-on practice
- Experienced instructor pilots
Which should you pick?
Choose ARINC Direct if
- You need real-time flight tracking.
- You also want dispatch management.
Choose AviaSIM Pro if
- You need high-fidelity flight models.
- You work on In-person facility.
- You also want real-time weather simulation.
Questions people ask
- Is ARINC Direct or AviaSIM Pro better?
- Neither clearly leads. ARINC Direct starts at $500/month and AviaSIM Pro at $179/session, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ARINC Direct or AviaSIM Pro?
- ARINC Direct starts at $500/month and AviaSIM Pro at $179/session.
- Does ARINC Direct or AviaSIM Pro run on more platforms?
- ARINC Direct runs on Web. AviaSIM Pro runs on In-person facility.
- What is ARINC Direct best used for?
- ARINC Direct is most often used for flight dispatch, crew management, weather monitoring, maintenance coordination. Of those, flight dispatch and crew management are not what AviaSIM Pro is typically brought in for.
- What can ARINC Direct do that AviaSIM Pro cannot?
- ARINC Direct covers Real-time flight tracking, Dispatch management, Crew coordination, Weather integration. AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models, Real-time weather simulation, Emergency procedure training, Multi-crew coordination. Both handle SOC 2 Type II certified, Data encryption, RBAC, Audit logging.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ARINC Direct: What is ARINC Direct designed for?
ARINC Direct is flight operations software for business aviation operators managing private and corporate aircraft, with tools for scheduling, compliance, crew recordkeeping, maintenance planning, and regulatory documentation.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: What does an AviaSIM flight experience include?
An AviaSIM session puts you in a full-size commercial aircraft cockpit with 180-degree high-definition displays. You learn how airliners work, handle the controls, and experience takeoff, cruising, and landing under instructor guidance.
SourceARINC Direct: What key features does ARINC Direct provide?
Features include compliance management, labor cost reporting, logbook tracking, maintenance scheduling, automated diagnostics, AI-powered regulatory reporting, and real-time data monitoring with safety alerts.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: How long are AviaSIM sessions and what are the pricing options?
AviaSIM offers sessions ranging from 60 minutes (Discovery Package at $179) to 240 minutes (Pilot Introductory Program at $549). A Fear of Flying Therapy program with 97% success rate costs $389.
SourceARINC Direct: Does ARINC Direct offer a free trial?
No. ARINC Direct does not offer a free trial or free version. Organizations must commit to a paid plan to access the platform.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: Where are AviaSIM locations available?
As of 2026, AviaSIM operates in 30+ cities worldwide including Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Orlando, with new openings planned in Raleigh, Minneapolis, and San Antonio.
SourceARINC Direct: What is the pricing for ARINC Direct?
Pricing is subscription-based and varies significantly by organization size. A small business with one user might pay around $500/month, while a 50-user setup could cost approximately $5,000/month. Enterprise pricing for 100+ users can exceed $10,000/month.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: Can multiple people participate in a single AviaSIM session?
Yes. The Duo Package ($219 for 60 minutes) allows two people to share the cockpit experience together, and up to three free observers can watch from the cockpit.
Source