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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 vs ForeFlight

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 logo

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Software

Hyper-realistic cloud-based flight simulation

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ForeFlight logo

ForeFlight

Software

Comprehensive flight planning and pilot briefing app

From
$130/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; ForeFlight device restrictions: 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and 2 iPhones per licence
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, ForeFlight covers Flight planning.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and ForeFlight differ
AttributeMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024ForeFlight
Starting price$9.99/month$130/year
PlatformsWindows, XboxiPad, iPhone
Founded20202007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 ForeFlight

  • Flight planning
  • Aeronautical charts
  • Weather briefings
  • Navigation
  • Weight & balance
  • Garmin avionics
  • Jeppesen charts
  • ADS-B receivers

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot ForeFlight
  • Recreationnot ForeFlight
  • VR flyingnot ForeFlight
  • Network flyingnot ForeFlight

ForeFlight

  • Flight planning and navigation for pilotsnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Aviation weather and digital logbooknot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Airport information and terrain profilingnot 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

ForeFlight

  • Device restrictions: 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and 2 iPhones per licence
  • Geographic region limited to one per subscription
  • Annual billing only, no monthly option
  • Starter plan lacks Synthetic Vision and advanced planning tools
  • Essential plan lacks pre-built aircraft profiles and fuel planning

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

ForeFlight

$130/year

No published plan breakdown. See the ForeFlight review.

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 ForeFlight if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You work on iPad, iPhone.
  • You also want aeronautical charts.
ForeFlight review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or ForeFlight better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and ForeFlight at $130/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or ForeFlight?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and ForeFlight at $130/year.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or ForeFlight run on more platforms?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox. ForeFlight runs on iPad, iPhone.
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 ForeFlight is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 do that ForeFlight cannot?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Aircraft systems, Global coverage. ForeFlight covers Flight planning, Aeronautical charts, Weather briefings, Navigation.
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