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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 vs SkyDemon

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 logo

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Software

Hyper-realistic cloud-based flight simulation

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkyDemon logo

SkyDemon

Software

VFR flight planning for European pilots

From
€150/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; SkyDemon the first year costs 118 GBP against a 90 GBP renewal, so the entry price is higher than the ongoing one
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, SkyDemon covers VFR planning.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and SkyDemon differ
AttributeMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024SkyDemon
Starting price$9.99/month€150/year
PlatformsWindows, XboxIos, Android, Windows, Macos
Founded20202009

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 SkyDemon

  • VFR planning
  • Airspace display
  • Weather overlay
  • Navigation
  • Flight logging
  • Traffic receivers
  • FLARM
  • ADS-B

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot SkyDemon
  • Recreationnot SkyDemon
  • VR flyingnot SkyDemon
  • Network flyingnot SkyDemon

SkyDemon

  • VFR flight planning and navigation for general aviationnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • In flight moving map and airspace awareness on a tabletnot 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

SkyDemon

  • The first year costs 118 GBP against a 90 GBP renewal, so the entry price is higher than the ongoing one
  • Extra airfield maps and flight guides are sold as separate annual subscriptions on top of the base licence
  • Prices for those additional regional guides are not listed on the store page

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

SkyDemon

€150/year
  • SkyDemon$150/year
    • Flight planning
    • European charts
    • Weather data
  • SkyDemon + Australia$220/year
    • Europe + Australia
    • All features
    • Extended coverage

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 SkyDemon if

  • You need vfr planning.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want airspace display.
SkyDemon review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or SkyDemon better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and SkyDemon at €150/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or SkyDemon?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and SkyDemon at €150/year.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or SkyDemon run on more platforms?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox. SkyDemon runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
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 SkyDemon is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 do that SkyDemon cannot?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Aircraft systems, Global coverage. SkyDemon covers VFR planning, Airspace display, Weather overlay, Navigation. Both handle Windows support.
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