Softwr

Aviation · head to head

IBS iCargo vs simBrief

IBS iCargo logo

IBS iCargo

Aviation

Comprehensive air cargo management system

From
$100000/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: IBS iCargo no pricing published on vendor website; potential customers must contact sales for quotes; simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: IBS iCargo covers Cargo booking, simBrief covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IBS iCargo and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where IBS iCargo and simBrief differ
AttributeIBS iCargosimBrief
Starting price$100000/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded19972009

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 IBS iCargo

  • Cargo booking
  • Operations control
  • Revenue management
  • Customs handling
  • ULD management
  • Airline systems
  • Customs authorities
  • Ground handlers

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.

IBS iCargo

  • Cargo operationsnot simBrief
  • Revenue optimizationnot simBrief
  • Customs clearancenot simBrief
  • Partner managementnot simBrief
  • Fleet utilizationnot simBrief

simBrief

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

Where each one falls short

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

IBS iCargo

  • No pricing published on vendor website; potential customers must contact sales for quotes

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  • The free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default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

IBS iCargo

$100000/year
  • iCargo$100000/year
    • Cargo reservations
    • Operations management
    • Revenue accounting
  • Enterprise$200000/year
    • Everything included
    • Multi-station
    • Advanced analytics

simBrief

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

Which should you pick?

Choose IBS iCargo if

  • You need cargo booking.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Ios, Android.
  • You also want operations control.
IBS iCargo 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 IBS iCargo or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. IBS iCargo starts at $100000/year and simBrief at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IBS iCargo or simBrief?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $100000/year for IBS iCargo and Free for simBrief.
Does IBS iCargo or simBrief run on more platforms?
IBS iCargo runs on Web, Windows, Ios, Android. simBrief runs on Web.
Can I use simBrief for free?
Yes. simBrief has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IBS iCargo starts at $100000/year.
What is IBS iCargo best used for?
IBS iCargo is most often used for cargo operations, revenue optimization, customs clearance, partner management. Of those, cargo operations and revenue optimization are not what simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can IBS iCargo do that simBrief cannot?
IBS iCargo covers Cargo booking, Operations control, Revenue management, Customs handling. simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

IBS iCargo: How much does iCargo cost?

IBS Software does not publish pricing for iCargo on their website. The product uses a custom pricing model requiring direct contact with the sales team. Interested customers can submit inquiries through the company's contact form or reach out to their business team to request a pricing quote.

Source
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
Share

Related pages

More on IBS iCargo

More on simBrief

Keep looking

Other head to heads