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Aviation · head to head

Garmin Pilot vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Garmin Pilot logo

Garmin Pilot

Aviation

All-in-one flight planning and navigation app

From
$99/year
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: Garmin Pilot garmin Pilot's iPad app is offered on a 30-day free trial from initial download, after which the subscription plans described on Garmin's site apply; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 pricing not disclosed on vendor site; available only through external retailers
  • They diverge on capability: Garmin Pilot covers Flight planning, 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 Garmin Pilot and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 actually diverge.

Attributes where Garmin Pilot and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 differ
AttributeGarmin PilotMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024
Starting price$99/year$9.99/month
PlatformsIos, AndroidWindows, Xbox
Founded19892020

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 Garmin Pilot

  • Flight planning
  • Aeronautical charts
  • Weather overlays
  • Panel sync
  • Traffic display
  • Garmin avionics
  • GTN series
  • G1000/G3000

Only in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

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

What people use each for

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

Garmin Pilot

  • Flight planningnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Weather analysisnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • In-flight navigationnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Aircraft panel syncnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Chart viewingnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot Garmin Pilot
  • Recreationnot Garmin Pilot
  • VR flyingnot Garmin Pilot
  • Network flyingnot Garmin Pilot

Where each one falls short

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

Garmin Pilot

  • Garmin Pilot's iPad app is offered on a 30-day free trial from initial download, after which the subscription plans described on Garmin's site apply

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

Garmin Pilot

$99/year
  • Premium$99/year
    • IFR/VFR charts
    • Weather radar
    • Flight planning
  • Premium + Global$199/year
    • Everything in Premium
    • Worldwide charts
    • International planning

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 Garmin Pilot if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want aeronautical charts.
Garmin Pilot 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 Garmin Pilot or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 better?
Neither clearly leads. Garmin Pilot starts at $99/year 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, Garmin Pilot or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Garmin Pilot starts at $99/year and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at $9.99/month.
Does Garmin Pilot or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run on more platforms?
Garmin Pilot runs on Ios, Android. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox.
What is Garmin Pilot best used for?
Garmin Pilot is most often used for flight planning, weather analysis, in-flight navigation, aircraft panel sync. Of those, flight planning and weather analysis are not what Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is typically brought in for.
What can Garmin Pilot do that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 cannot?
Garmin Pilot covers Flight planning, Aeronautical charts, Weather overlays, Panel sync. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Aircraft systems, Global coverage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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.

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