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Aviation · head to head

ARINC Flight Operations Services vs simBrief

ARINC Flight Operations Services logo

ARINC Flight Operations Services

Aviation

Airline flight operations and communications platform

From
$50000/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
simBrief logo

simBrief

Aviation

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only simBrief has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ARINC Flight Operations Services the Internet Archive's capture of arinc.com on 3 January 2016 shows the domain already redirecting to Rockwell Collins branding, confirming ARINC's flight operations business was absorbed into Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace/RTX) rather than continuing as an independently branded product.; simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: ARINC Flight Operations Services covers ACARS messaging, simBrief covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ARINC Flight Operations Services and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where ARINC Flight Operations Services and simBrief differ
AttributeARINC Flight Operations ServicessimBrief
Starting price$50000/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, SystemsWeb
Founded19292009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation).

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 Flight Operations Services

  • ACARS messaging
  • Flight operations
  • Communications
  • Weather data
  • Data services
  • Airline systems
  • Aircraft avionics
  • Ground systems

Only in simBrief

  • Flight planning
  • Weather integration
  • NOTAM analysis
  • Fuel calculation
  • Briefing generation
  • Real weather
  • NOTAM data
  • Aircraft database

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ARINC Flight Operations Services

  • Flight operationsnot simBrief
  • Communicationsnot simBrief
  • Data servicesnot simBrief
  • Weathernot simBrief

simBrief

  • Generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulationnot ARINC Flight Operations Services
  • Calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flightsnot ARINC Flight Operations Services

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ARINC Flight Operations Services

  • The Internet Archive's capture of arinc.com on 3 January 2016 shows the domain already redirecting to Rockwell Collins branding, confirming ARINC's flight operations business was absorbed into Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace/RTX) rather than continuing as an independently branded product.

simBrief

  • The free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • Current navigation data updated every 28 days requires a separate Navigraph subscription
  • Jeppesen IFR and VFR charts require the higher Navigraph Unlimited subscription
  • Neither subscription price is stated on the SimBrief site, since both are sold by Navigraph

Pricing, plan by plan

ARINC Flight Operations Services

$50000/year
  • Flight Operations$50000/year
    • ACARS services
    • Flight operations
    • Communications
  • Enterprise$100000/year
    • All services
    • Multi-airline
    • Custom integration

simBrief

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Flight planning
    • Weather analysis
    • Fuel planning

Which should you pick?

Choose ARINC Flight Operations Services if

  • You need acars messaging.
  • You work on Web, Systems.
  • You also want flight operations.
ARINC Flight Operations Services review

Choose simBrief if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want weather integration.
simBrief review

Questions people ask

Is ARINC Flight Operations Services or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. ARINC Flight Operations Services starts at $50000/year and simBrief at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ARINC Flight Operations Services or simBrief?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $50000/year for ARINC Flight Operations Services and Free for simBrief.
Does ARINC Flight Operations Services or simBrief run on more platforms?
ARINC Flight Operations Services runs on Web, Systems. simBrief runs on Web.
Can I use simBrief for free?
Yes. simBrief has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ARINC Flight Operations Services starts at $50000/year.
What is ARINC Flight Operations Services best used for?
ARINC Flight Operations Services is most often used for flight operations, communications, data services, weather. Of those, flight operations and communications are not what simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can ARINC Flight Operations Services do that simBrief cannot?
ARINC Flight Operations Services covers ACARS messaging, Flight operations, Communications, Weather data. simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

simBrief: Is SimBrief free to use?

Yes, SimBrief is free to use. It is a free flight planning service provided by Navigraph for Flight Simulation enthusiasts. Creating a Navigraph account is free, quick, and easy.

Source
simBrief: What does SimBrief provide for flight planning?

SimBrief is a web-based dispatching system that generates in-depth flight plan packages featuring detailed fuel planning, weather forecasts, current NOTAMs, ETOPS calculations, and much more in seconds.

Source
simBrief: Can I upgrade SimBrief for better features?

SimBrief is free by default and uses a slightly outdated navigation database. You can purchase a Navigraph subscription after registering to access the latest navigation database and additional features.

Source
simBrief: How do I access SimBrief?

To access SimBrief, you need to sign in using a Navigraph account. You can create a free Navigraph account from the SimBrief website.

Source
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