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Aviation · head to head

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D vs SpaceX Starlink Aviation

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D logo

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

Aviation

Professional-grade flight simulation and training platform

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SpaceX Starlink Aviation logo

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

Aviation

High-speed satellite internet for aircraft

From
$12500/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; SpaceX Starlink Aviation no pricing information published on aviation service page
  • They diverge on capability: Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation, SpaceX Starlink Aviation covers High-speed internet.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lockheed Martin Prepar3D and SpaceX Starlink Aviation actually diverge.

Attributes where Lockheed Martin Prepar3D and SpaceX Starlink Aviation differ
AttributeLockheed Martin Prepar3DSpaceX Starlink Aviation
Starting price$9.99/month$12500/month
PlatformsWindows, VrHardware
Founded20102002

Identical on both: 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 SpaceX Starlink Aviation

  • High-speed internet
  • Low latency
  • Global coverage
  • Streaming capable
  • Multi-user support
  • IFE systems
  • Cabin management
  • Flight operations

Both cover

  • Aircraft systems

What people use each for

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

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

  • Pilot trainingnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Type rating trainingnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Proficiency maintenancenot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Scenario trainingnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Aircraft developmentnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

  • Passenger connectivitynot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Crew operationsnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Real-time datanot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Entertainmentnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
  • Business operationsnot 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

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

  • No pricing information published on aviation service page
  • Service availability and hardware requirements not clearly specified
  • Bandwidth limitations and latency specifications not disclosed

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

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

$12500/month
  • Starlink Aviation$12500/month
    • Up to 350 Mbps
    • Global coverage
    • Low latency

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 SpaceX Starlink Aviation if

  • You need high-speed internet.
  • You work on Hardware.
  • You also want low latency.
SpaceX Starlink Aviation review

Questions people ask

Is Lockheed Martin Prepar3D or SpaceX Starlink Aviation better?
Neither clearly leads. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D starts at $9.99/month and SpaceX Starlink Aviation at $12500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lockheed Martin Prepar3D or SpaceX Starlink Aviation?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D starts at $9.99/month and SpaceX Starlink Aviation at $12500/month.
Does Lockheed Martin Prepar3D or SpaceX Starlink Aviation run on more platforms?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D runs on Windows, Vr. SpaceX Starlink Aviation runs on Hardware.
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 SpaceX Starlink Aviation is typically brought in for.
What can Lockheed Martin Prepar3D do that SpaceX Starlink Aviation cannot?
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation, Realistic physics, Training scenarios, Performance analysis. SpaceX Starlink Aviation covers High-speed internet, Low latency, Global coverage, Streaming capable. Both handle Aircraft systems.

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
SpaceX Starlink Aviation: What does Starlink Aviation service cost?

Starlink does not publish pricing information on its aviation service page. Customers interested in service must contact Starlink directly to inquire about availability, hardware costs, and monthly subscription rates.

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
SpaceX Starlink Aviation: How do I purchase Starlink Aviation service?

The aviation service page does not provide details on how to purchase or sign up. Interested parties are directed to contact Starlink through the main website.

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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