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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 vs Flightradar24

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 logo

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Software

Hyper-realistic cloud-based flight simulation

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Flightradar24 logo

Flightradar24

Software

Real-time aircraft radar tracking worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Flightradar24 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 standard Edition is limited to 70 aircraft and 150 airports, versus 95 aircraft and 160 airports in the Premium Deluxe Edition and 125 aircraft in the Aviator Edition; Flightradar24 premium tiers as captured in 2022 ranged from Silver at $1.49/month (90 days of flight history) to Business at $49.99/month (business licensing, fleet view, extra weather layers) (archive capture is from 2022, over three years old, so treat exact figures as dated; the tier structure and history-window caps are the more durable facts)
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Flightradar24 covers Real-time tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Flightradar24 actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Flightradar24 differ
AttributeMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024Flightradar24
Starting price$9.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, XboxWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20202006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

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

Only in Flightradar24

  • Real-time tracking
  • Radar map
  • Aircraft info
  • Flight history
  • 3D view
  • ADS-B receivers
  • MLAT network
  • API

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot Flightradar24
  • Recreationnot Flightradar24
  • VR flyingnot Flightradar24
  • Network flyingnot Flightradar24

Flightradar24

  • Flight trackingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Air traffic monitoringnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Researchnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Entertainmentnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Professional trackingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Standard Edition is limited to 70 aircraft and 150 airports, versus 95 aircraft and 160 airports in the Premium Deluxe Edition and 125 aircraft in the Aviator Edition

Flightradar24

  • Premium tiers as captured in 2022 ranged from Silver at $1.49/month (90 days of flight history) to Business at $49.99/month (business licensing, fleet view, extra weather layers) (archive capture is from 2022, over three years old, so treat exact figures as dated; the tier structure and history-window caps are the more durable facts)

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Flightradar24

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Flight tracking
    • Basic features
    • Mobile app
  • Silver$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • 30-day history
    • ADS-B coverage
  • Gold$7.99/month
    • Everything in Silver
    • Unlimited history
    • Advanced filters

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Flightradar24 if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want radar map.
Flightradar24 review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or Flightradar24 better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and Flightradar24 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or Flightradar24?
Flightradar24 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $9.99/month for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Free for Flightradar24.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or Flightradar24 run on more platforms?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox. Flightradar24 runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Flightradar24 for free?
Yes. Flightradar24 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month.
What is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 best used for?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is most often used for flight training, recreation, vr flying, network flying. Of those, flight training and recreation are not what Flightradar24 is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 do that Flightradar24 cannot?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Aircraft systems, Global coverage. Flightradar24 covers Real-time tracking, Radar map, Aircraft info, Flight history.
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