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Aviation · head to head

AGI STK vs Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

AGI STK logo

AGI STK

Aviation

Systems Tool Kit for space and aerospace analysis

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D logo

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

Aviation

Professional-grade flight simulation and training platform

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AGI STK has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AGI STK sTK is sold as a ladder of separate licences, STK Pro, STK Premium Air, STK Premium Space and STK Enterprise, so mission areas are gated behind different products; Lockheed Martin Prepar3D high system resource requirements with 85 GB base installation and 32 GB RAM recommended
  • They diverge on capability: AGI STK covers Orbit analysis, Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AGI STK and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D actually diverge.

Attributes where AGI STK and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D differ
AttributeAGI STKLockheed Martin Prepar3D
Starting priceFree$9.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows, Vr
Founded19892010

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 AGI STK

  • Orbit analysis
  • 4D visualization
  • Mission planning
  • Communication analysis
  • Conjunction assessment
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • C++/.NET API

Only in Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

  • Flight simulation
  • Aircraft systems
  • Realistic physics
  • Training scenarios
  • Performance analysis
  • Hardware controllers
  • VR systems
  • Motion platforms

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

AGI STK

  • Modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risknot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systemsnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

  • Pilot trainingnot AGI STK
  • Type rating trainingnot AGI STK
  • Proficiency maintenancenot AGI STK
  • Scenario trainingnot AGI STK
  • Aircraft developmentnot AGI STK

Where each one falls short

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

AGI STK

  • STK is sold as a ladder of separate licences, STK Pro, STK Premium Air, STK Premium Space and STK Enterprise, so mission areas are gated behind different products
  • Further capability is sold as separate add-on toolkits including TETK, the RF Channel Modeler and the STK Missile Toolkit
  • Distributing an application built on STK Engine to end users requires each of them to hold an Ansys STK Engine Runtime License
  • Free access is limited to students at accredited institutions and to time-limited trials
  • No price, minimum or cost driver is published for any STK tier

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

  • High system resource requirements with 85 GB base installation and 32 GB RAM recommended
  • Expensive Professional and Professional Plus licenses for commercial and business use
  • Limited backward compatibility with older 32-bit aircraft modules
  • SimDirector scenario creation tool requires programming knowledge for advanced customization

Pricing, plan by plan

AGI STK

Free
  • STK FreeFree
    • Basic analysis
    • 2D/3D visualization
    • Orbit analysis
  • STK Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced analysis
    • Premium modules
    • API access
  • STK Enterprise$50000/year
    • All modules
    • Multi-user
    • Custom solutions

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

$9.99/month
  • Standard$9.99/month
    • Flight simulation
    • Basic aircraft
    • Training tools
  • Professional$99.99/month
    • Advanced simulation
    • Full aircraft systems
    • Advanced training

Which should you pick?

Choose AGI STK if

  • You need orbit analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want 4d visualization.
AGI STK review

Choose Lockheed Martin Prepar3D if

  • You need flight simulation.
  • You work on Windows, Vr.
  • You also want aircraft systems.
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D review

Questions people ask

Is AGI STK or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D better?
Neither clearly leads. AGI STK starts at Free and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AGI STK or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D?
AGI STK has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AGI STK and $9.99/month for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D.
Does AGI STK or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D run on more platforms?
AGI STK runs on Windows, Linux. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D runs on Windows, Vr.
Can I use AGI STK for free?
Yes. AGI STK has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D starts at $9.99/month.
What is AGI STK best used for?
AGI STK is most often used for modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risk, mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systems. Of those, modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risk and mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systems are not what Lockheed Martin Prepar3D is typically brought in for.
What can AGI STK do that Lockheed Martin Prepar3D cannot?
AGI STK covers Orbit analysis, 4D visualization, Mission planning, Communication analysis. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation, Aircraft systems, Realistic physics, Training scenarios. Both handle Data encryption, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D: What are the license options for Prepar3D?

Prepar3D offers three license tiers: Personal ($59.95) for personal training and K-12 education, Professional ($350) for professional pilot training and commercial uses, and Professional Plus ($2,750) for businesses with advanced features. Developer monthly licenses are available at $9.99 and $50 for Professional and Professional Plus respectively.

Source
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D: What are the system requirements?

Prepar3D v6 requires approximately 85 GB storage, 32 GB RAM or more for optimal performance, 8 GB or more VRAM, and a DX12-capable GPU with 64-bit architecture. Detailed scenery and aircraft add-ons can significantly increase storage and performance requirements.

Source
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D: Can I create custom training scenarios?

Yes. Prepar3D includes SimDirector, a scenario generation tool that allows users to create training scenarios across aviation, maritime, and ground domains. Users can place world objects, define scenario logic, create missions, and provide instruction sessions, making it suitable for cockpit training, flight planning, and emergency response preparation.

Source
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D: Is Prepar3D compatible with third-party add-ons?

Prepar3D v5 and v6 maintain compatibility with many Microsoft Flight Simulator X add-ons. However, 32-bit aircraft modules are not compatible with 64-bit Prepar3D versions, and third-party add-ons must be updated for the specific Prepar3D version being used.

Source
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