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Flightradar24 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Flightradar24 logo

Flightradar24

Software

Real-time aircraft radar tracking worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 logo

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Software

Hyper-realistic cloud-based flight simulation

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Flightradar24 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Flightradar24 premium tiers as captured in 2022 ranged from Silver at $1.49/month (90 days of flight history) to Business at $49.99/month (business licensing, fleet view, extra weather layers) (archive capture is from 2022, over three years old, so treat exact figures as dated; the tier structure and history-window caps are the more durable facts); Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 standard Edition is limited to 70 aircraft and 150 airports, versus 95 aircraft and 160 airports in the Premium Deluxe Edition and 125 aircraft in the Aviator Edition
  • They diverge on capability: Flightradar24 covers Real-time tracking, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flightradar24 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 actually diverge.

Attributes where Flightradar24 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 differ
AttributeFlightradar24Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Starting priceFree$9.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Xbox
Founded20062020

Identical on both: 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 Flightradar24

  • Real-time tracking
  • Radar map
  • Aircraft info
  • Flight history
  • 3D view
  • ADS-B receivers
  • MLAT network
  • API

Only in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Photogrammetry scenery
  • Realistic weather
  • Aircraft systems
  • Global coverage
  • ATC
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • Azure cloud
  • Third-party add-ons

What people use each for

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

Flightradar24

  • Flight trackingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Air traffic monitoringnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Researchnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Entertainmentnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Professional trackingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot Flightradar24
  • Recreationnot Flightradar24
  • VR flyingnot Flightradar24
  • Network flyingnot Flightradar24

Where each one falls short

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

Flightradar24

  • Premium tiers as captured in 2022 ranged from Silver at $1.49/month (90 days of flight history) to Business at $49.99/month (business licensing, fleet view, extra weather layers) (archive capture is from 2022, over three years old, so treat exact figures as dated; the tier structure and history-window caps are the more durable facts)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Standard Edition is limited to 70 aircraft and 150 airports, versus 95 aircraft and 160 airports in the Premium Deluxe Edition and 125 aircraft in the Aviator Edition

Pricing, plan by plan

Flightradar24

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Flight tracking
    • Basic features
    • Mobile app
  • Silver$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • 30-day history
    • ADS-B coverage
  • Gold$7.99/month
    • Everything in Silver
    • Unlimited history
    • Advanced filters

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

$9.99/month
  • Game Pass$9.99/month
    • Full simulator
    • Game Pass included
    • Cloud saves
  • Standalone$89.99/lifetime
    • Full simulator
    • Lifetime license
    • All updates

Which should you pick?

Choose Flightradar24 if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want radar map.
Flightradar24 review

Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 if

  • You need photogrammetry scenery.
  • You work on Windows, Xbox.
  • You also want realistic weather.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 review

Questions people ask

Is Flightradar24 or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 better?
Neither clearly leads. Flightradar24 starts at Free and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flightradar24 or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Flightradar24 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Flightradar24 and $9.99/month for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Does Flightradar24 or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run on more platforms?
Flightradar24 runs on Web, Ios, Android. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox.
Can I use Flightradar24 for free?
Yes. Flightradar24 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month.
What is Flightradar24 best used for?
Flightradar24 is most often used for flight tracking, air traffic monitoring, research, entertainment. Of those, flight tracking and air traffic monitoring are not what Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is typically brought in for.
What can Flightradar24 do that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 cannot?
Flightradar24 covers Real-time tracking, Radar map, Aircraft info, Flight history. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Aircraft systems, Global coverage.
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