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Aviation · head to head

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 vs X-Plane 12

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 logo

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Aviation

Hyper-realistic cloud-based flight simulation

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
X-Plane 12 logo

X-Plane 12

Aviation

Professional flight simulation software

From
$59.99/lifetime
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 pricing not disclosed on vendor site; available only through external retailers; X-Plane 12 commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and X-Plane 12 actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and X-Plane 12 differ
AttributeMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024X-Plane 12
Starting price$9.99/month$59.99/lifetime
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, XboxWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded20201995

Identical on both: 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 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

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

Only in X-Plane 12

  • Flight physics
  • Global scenery
  • Realistic aircraft
  • Weather simulation
  • ATC system
  • Plugins
  • Add-ons
  • VR headsets

Both cover

  • Hardware
  • Multiplayer
  • Online flying
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

  • Flight trainingnot X-Plane 12
  • Recreationnot X-Plane 12
  • VR flyingnot X-Plane 12
  • Network flyingnot X-Plane 12

X-Plane 12

  • Flight simulation for private pilots and enthusiastsnot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • Procedure practice and aircraft familiarisationnot 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

  • Pricing not disclosed on vendor site; available only through external retailers
  • Multiple editions without published pricing comparison

X-Plane 12

  • Commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download
  • The personal edition therefore cannot be used for paid training or commercial simulation
  • The professional edition is a distinct product rather than an upgrade path

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

X-Plane 12

$59.99/lifetime
  • X-Plane 12$59.99/lifetime
    • Full simulator
    • Global scenery
    • Realistic physics

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 X-Plane 12 if

  • You need flight physics.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want global scenery.
X-Plane 12 review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or X-Plane 12 better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and X-Plane 12 at $59.99/lifetime, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or X-Plane 12?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 starts at $9.99/month and X-Plane 12 at $59.99/lifetime.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or X-Plane 12 run on more platforms?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 runs on Windows, Xbox. X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
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 X-Plane 12 is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 do that X-Plane 12 cannot?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 covers Photogrammetry scenery, Realistic weather, Aircraft systems, Global coverage. X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation. Both handle Hardware, Multiplayer, Online flying, Windows support.

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
X-Plane 12: How much does X-Plane 12 Personal Edition cost?

X-Plane 12 Personal Edition is priced at $59.99 for digital download, the same price on Steam, or $99.99 for the DVD set.

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.

Source
X-Plane 12: What is the pricing difference for professional use of X-Plane 12?

Professional-use versions are significantly more expensive, ranging from $1,000 for digital downloads to $1,250 for USB keys.

Source
X-Plane 12: How do I activate X-Plane 12 after purchasing the digital download?

When you purchase the digital download edition, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to use and activate X-Plane 12.

Source
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