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Aviation · head to head

Jeppesen vs simBrief

Jeppesen logo

Jeppesen

Aviation

Comprehensive aviation flight information services

From
$99/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: Jeppesen no pricing information on main website; customers directed to external shop platform for pricing and purchasing; simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: Jeppesen covers Aeronautical charts, simBrief covers NOTAM analysis.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jeppesen and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where Jeppesen and simBrief differ
AttributeJeppesensimBrief
Starting price$99/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, WindowsWeb
Founded19342009

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 Jeppesen

  • Aeronautical charts
  • Airport data
  • Performance data
  • Flight systems
  • EFB solutions
  • Airline systems
  • Weather services
  • Data encryption

Only in simBrief

  • NOTAM analysis
  • Fuel calculation
  • Briefing generation
  • Real weather
  • NOTAM data
  • Aircraft database
  • Export formats
  • VA systems

Both cover

  • Flight planning
  • Weather integration
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Jeppesen

  • Subscribing to worldwide instrument approach charts and airport diagramsnot simBrief
  • Airline flight planning and dispatchnot simBrief
  • Crew pairing, rostering and tracking optimisationnot simBrief
  • Supplying navigation database updates to avionicsnot simBrief

simBrief

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

Where each one falls short

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

Jeppesen

  • No pricing information on main website; customers directed to external shop platform for pricing and purchasing
  • Customers must use shop.jeppesen.com or contact sales to view pricing details

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

Jeppesen

$99/year
  • Individual Subscription$99/year
    • Digital charts
    • Airport information
    • Flight planning
  • Airline SubscriptionFree
    • Fleet data
    • Performance
    • Charts

simBrief

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Jeppesen if

  • You need aeronautical charts.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
  • You also want airport data.
Jeppesen review

Choose simBrief if

  • You need notam analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want fuel calculation.
simBrief review

Questions people ask

Is Jeppesen or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. Jeppesen starts at $99/year and simBrief at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jeppesen or simBrief?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/year for Jeppesen and Free for simBrief.
Does Jeppesen or simBrief run on more platforms?
Jeppesen runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows. simBrief runs on Web.
Can I use simBrief for free?
Yes. simBrief has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Jeppesen starts at $99/year.
What is Jeppesen best used for?
Jeppesen is most often used for subscribing to worldwide instrument approach charts and airport diagrams, airline flight planning and dispatch, crew pairing, rostering and tracking optimisation, supplying navigation database updates to avionics. Of those, subscribing to worldwide instrument approach charts and airport diagrams and airline flight planning and dispatch are not what simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can Jeppesen do that simBrief cannot?
Jeppesen covers Aeronautical charts, Airport data, Performance data, Flight systems. simBrief covers NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation, Briefing generation, Real weather. Both handle Flight planning, Weather integration, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Jeppesen: How much do Jeppesen products cost?

Jeppesen does not publish pricing on its main website. The company directs customers to shop.jeppesen.com for service renewals, invoices, and purchasing information. Customers can manage accounts and access pricing through the Jeppesen customer portal or by contacting their sales team directly.

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
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