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Aviation · head to head

Flightradar24 vs simBrief

Flightradar24 logo

Flightradar24

Aviation

Real-time aircraft radar tracking worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
simBrief logo

simBrief

Aviation

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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caps are the more durable facts); simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: Flightradar24 covers Real-time tracking, simBrief covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flightradar24 and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where Flightradar24 and simBrief differ
AttributeFlightradar24simBrief
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded20062009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Flightradar24

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

Only in simBrief

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

Both cover

  • Export
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Flightradar24

  • Flight trackingnot simBrief
  • Air traffic monitoringnot simBrief
  • Researchnot simBrief
  • Entertainmentnot simBrief
  • Professional trackingnot simBrief

simBrief

  • Generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulationnot Flightradar24
  • Calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flightsnot 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)

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

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

simBrief

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

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 simBrief if

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

Questions people ask

Is Flightradar24 or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. Flightradar24 starts at Free and simBrief at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flightradar24 or simBrief?
Flightradar24 starts at Free and simBrief at Free.
Does Flightradar24 or simBrief run on more platforms?
Flightradar24 runs on Web, Ios, Android. simBrief runs on Web.
Can I use Flightradar24 for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can Flightradar24 do that simBrief cannot?
Flightradar24 covers Real-time tracking, Radar map, Aircraft info, Flight history. simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation. Both handle Export, 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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