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Aviation · head to head

Leonardo Aerospace Systems vs X-Plane 12

Leonardo Aerospace Systems logo

Leonardo Aerospace Systems

Aviation

Advanced aerospace and defense technology

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
X-Plane 12 logo

X-Plane 12

Aviation

Professional flight simulation software

From
$59.99/lifetime
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Leonardo Aerospace Systems no public pricing information available for products or services; X-Plane 12 commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download
  • They diverge on capability: Leonardo Aerospace Systems covers Avionics, X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Leonardo Aerospace Systems and X-Plane 12 actually diverge.

Attributes where Leonardo Aerospace Systems and X-Plane 12 differ
AttributeLeonardo Aerospace SystemsX-Plane 12
Starting priceOn request$59.99/lifetime
Pricing modelquoteone-time
PlatformsHardware, Embedded, SystemsWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded19481995

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Leonardo Aerospace Systems

  • Avionics
  • Helicopter systems
  • Defense technology
  • Space systems
  • Integration
  • Aircraft systems
  • Military standards
  • International compliance

Only in X-Plane 12

  • Flight physics
  • Global scenery
  • Realistic aircraft
  • Weather simulation
  • ATC system
  • Plugins
  • Add-ons
  • VR headsets

What people use each for

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

Leonardo Aerospace Systems

  • Aircraft systemsnot X-Plane 12
  • Helicopter operationsnot X-Plane 12
  • Defense programsnot X-Plane 12
  • Government contractsnot X-Plane 12

X-Plane 12

  • Flight simulation for private pilots and enthusiastsnot Leonardo Aerospace Systems
  • Procedure practice and aircraft familiarisationnot Leonardo Aerospace Systems

Where each one falls short

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

Leonardo Aerospace Systems

  • No public pricing information available for products or services
  • Defense and aerospace products sold exclusively through custom B2B contracts
  • Operates as business-to-business only; not available through direct consumer sales

X-Plane 12

  • Commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download
  • The personal edition therefore cannot be used for paid training or commercial simulation
  • The professional edition is a distinct product rather than an upgrade path

Pricing, plan by plan

Leonardo Aerospace Systems

On request
  • Aerospace SolutionsFree
    • Avionics systems
    • Helicopter solutions
    • Defense systems

X-Plane 12

$59.99/lifetime
  • X-Plane 12$59.99/lifetime
    • Full simulator
    • Global scenery
    • Realistic physics

Which should you pick?

Choose Leonardo Aerospace Systems if

  • You need avionics.
  • You work on Hardware, Embedded, Systems.
  • You also want helicopter systems.
Leonardo Aerospace Systems review

Choose X-Plane 12 if

  • You need flight physics.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want global scenery.
X-Plane 12 review

Questions people ask

Is Leonardo Aerospace Systems or X-Plane 12 better?
Neither clearly leads. Leonardo Aerospace Systems starts at On request and X-Plane 12 at $59.99/lifetime, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Leonardo Aerospace Systems or X-Plane 12?
Leonardo Aerospace Systems starts at On request and X-Plane 12 at $59.99/lifetime.
Does Leonardo Aerospace Systems or X-Plane 12 run on more platforms?
Leonardo Aerospace Systems runs on Hardware, Embedded, Systems. X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
What is Leonardo Aerospace Systems best used for?
Leonardo Aerospace Systems is most often used for aircraft systems, helicopter operations, defense programs, government contracts. Of those, aircraft systems and helicopter operations are not what X-Plane 12 is typically brought in for.
What can Leonardo Aerospace Systems do that X-Plane 12 cannot?
Leonardo Aerospace Systems covers Avionics, Helicopter systems, Defense technology, Space systems. X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Leonardo Aerospace Systems: How much do Leonardo products cost?

Leonardo does not publish pricing for its products. As a defense and aerospace contractor, pricing is determined through customized contracts directly with government agencies and enterprise organizations.

Source
X-Plane 12: How much does X-Plane 12 Personal Edition cost?

X-Plane 12 Personal Edition is priced at $59.99 for digital download, the same price on Steam, or $99.99 for the DVD set.

Source
Leonardo Aerospace Systems: How can I purchase Leonardo products?

Leonardo sells exclusively through direct relationships with government and enterprise customers, not through public pricing or standard online sales channels.

Source
X-Plane 12: What is the pricing difference for professional use of X-Plane 12?

Professional-use versions are significantly more expensive, ranging from $1,000 for digital downloads to $1,250 for USB keys.

Source
X-Plane 12: How do I activate X-Plane 12 after purchasing the digital download?

When you purchase the digital download edition, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to use and activate X-Plane 12.

Source
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