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Lockheed Martin Prepar3D vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D logo

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

Aviation

Professional-grade flight simulation and training platform

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 logo

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Aviation

Hyper-realistic cloud-based flight simulation

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Lockheed Martin Prepar3D high system resource requirements with 85 GB base installation and 32 GB RAM recommended; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 pricing not disclosed on vendor site; available only through external retailers
  • They diverge on capability: Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lockheed Martin Prepar3D and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 actually diverge.

Attributes where Lockheed Martin Prepar3D and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 differ
AttributeLockheed Martin Prepar3DMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024
PlatformsWindows, VrWindows, Xbox
Founded20102020

Identical on both: starting price ($9.99/month), pricing model (subscription), 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 Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

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

Only in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Photogrammetry scenery
  • Realistic weather
  • Global coverage
  • ATC
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • Azure cloud
  • Third-party add-ons
  • VR support

Both cover

  • Aircraft systems
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

  • Pilot trainingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Type rating trainingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Proficiency maintenancenot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Scenario trainingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Aircraft developmentnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Recreationnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • VR flyingnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Network flyingnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

Where each one falls short

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

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Pricing not disclosed on vendor site; available only through external retailers
  • Multiple editions without published pricing comparison

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

$9.99/month
  • Game Pass$9.99/month
    • Full simulator
    • Game Pass included
    • Cloud saves
  • Standalone$89.99/lifetime
    • Full simulator
    • Lifetime license
    • All updates

Which should you pick?

Choose Lockheed Martin Prepar3D if

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

Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 if

  • You need photogrammetry scenery.
  • You work on Windows, Xbox.
  • You also want realistic weather.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 review

Questions people ask

Is Lockheed Martin Prepar3D or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 better?
Neither clearly leads. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D starts at $9.99/month and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lockheed Martin Prepar3D or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D starts at $9.99/month and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at $9.99/month.
Does Lockheed Martin Prepar3D or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run on more platforms?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D runs on Windows, Vr. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox.
What is Lockheed Martin Prepar3D best used for?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D is most often used for pilot training, type rating training, proficiency maintenance, scenario training. Of those, pilot training and type rating training are not what Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is typically brought in for.
What can Lockheed Martin Prepar3D do that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 cannot?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation, Realistic physics, Training scenarios, Performance analysis. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Global coverage, ATC. Both handle Aircraft systems, 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
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: What editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are available?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available in four editions: Standard (70 aircraft, 150 airports), Deluxe (80 aircraft, 155 airports), Premium Deluxe (95 aircraft, 160 airports), and Aviator (125 aircraft, 160 airports, includes 30 Microsoft-published marketplace aircraft).

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
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Where can I purchase Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available on Microsoft Store, Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Game Pass. Pricing is not listed on the official website; customers must check these retailers for current prices.

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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