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Aviation · head to head

AviaSIM Pro vs simBrief

A

AviaSIM Pro

Aviation

Professional flight simulation and pilot training platform

From
$179/session
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
simBrief logo

simBrief

Aviation

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only simBrief has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AviaSIM Pro limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training; simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models, simBrief covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AviaSIM Pro and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where AviaSIM Pro and simBrief differ
AttributeAviaSIM ProsimBrief
Starting price$179/sessionFree
Pricing modelUnknownfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIn-person facilityWeb
Founded20122009

Identical on both: 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 AviaSIM Pro

  • High-fidelity flight models
  • Real-time weather simulation
  • Emergency procedure training
  • Multi-crew coordination
  • Performance analytics
  • Flight deck hardware
  • Motion platforms
  • LMS systems

Only in simBrief

  • Flight planning
  • Weather integration
  • NOTAM analysis
  • Fuel calculation
  • Briefing generation
  • Real weather
  • NOTAM data
  • Aircraft database

What people use each for

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

AviaSIM Pro

  • Initial type ratingnot simBrief
  • Recurrent trainingnot simBrief
  • Emergency proceduresnot simBrief
  • CRM trainingnot simBrief
  • Proficiency checksnot simBrief

simBrief

  • Generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulationnot AviaSIM Pro
  • Calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flightsnot AviaSIM Pro

Where each one falls short

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

AviaSIM Pro

  • Limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training
  • Locations concentrated in specific cities, limiting accessibility for most potential users
  • High session costs may be prohibitive for recreational learners ($179 minimum for 60 minutes)

simBrief

  • The free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • Current navigation data updated every 28 days requires a separate Navigraph subscription
  • Jeppesen IFR and VFR charts require the higher Navigraph Unlimited subscription
  • Neither subscription price is stated on the SimBrief site, since both are sold by Navigraph

Pricing, plan by plan

AviaSIM Pro

$179/session
  • Discovery Package$179/60 min session
    • Full-size commercial cockpit
    • Professional instructor
    • 180-degree HD displays
  • Pilot Introductory Program$549/240 min session
    • Half-day immersion
    • Theory and hands-on practice
    • Experienced instructor pilots

simBrief

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Flight planning
    • Weather analysis
    • Fuel planning

Which should you pick?

Choose AviaSIM Pro if

  • You need high-fidelity flight models.
  • You work on In-person facility.
  • You also want real-time weather simulation.
AviaSIM Pro review

Choose simBrief if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want weather integration.
simBrief review

Questions people ask

Is AviaSIM Pro or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. AviaSIM Pro starts at $179/session and simBrief at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AviaSIM Pro or simBrief?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $179/session for AviaSIM Pro and Free for simBrief.
Does AviaSIM Pro or simBrief run on more platforms?
AviaSIM Pro runs on In-person facility. simBrief runs on Web.
Can I use simBrief for free?
Yes. simBrief has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AviaSIM Pro starts at $179/session.
What is AviaSIM Pro best used for?
AviaSIM Pro is most often used for initial type rating, recurrent training, emergency procedures, crm training. Of those, initial type rating and recurrent training are not what simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can AviaSIM Pro do that simBrief cannot?
AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models, Real-time weather simulation, Emergency procedure training, Multi-crew coordination. simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AviaSIM Pro: What does an AviaSIM flight experience include?

An AviaSIM session puts you in a full-size commercial aircraft cockpit with 180-degree high-definition displays. You learn how airliners work, handle the controls, and experience takeoff, cruising, and landing under instructor guidance.

Source
simBrief: Is SimBrief free to use?

Yes, SimBrief is free to use. It is a free flight planning service provided by Navigraph for Flight Simulation enthusiasts. Creating a Navigraph account is free, quick, and easy.

Source
AviaSIM Pro: How long are AviaSIM sessions and what are the pricing options?

AviaSIM offers sessions ranging from 60 minutes (Discovery Package at $179) to 240 minutes (Pilot Introductory Program at $549). A Fear of Flying Therapy program with 97% success rate costs $389.

Source
simBrief: What does SimBrief provide for flight planning?

SimBrief is a web-based dispatching system that generates in-depth flight plan packages featuring detailed fuel planning, weather forecasts, current NOTAMs, ETOPS calculations, and much more in seconds.

Source
AviaSIM Pro: Where are AviaSIM locations available?

As of 2026, AviaSIM operates in 30+ cities worldwide including Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Orlando, with new openings planned in Raleigh, Minneapolis, and San Antonio.

Source
simBrief: Can I upgrade SimBrief for better features?

SimBrief is free by default and uses a slightly outdated navigation database. You can purchase a Navigraph subscription after registering to access the latest navigation database and additional features.

Source
AviaSIM Pro: Can multiple people participate in a single AviaSIM session?

Yes. The Duo Package ($219 for 60 minutes) allows two people to share the cockpit experience together, and up to three free observers can watch from the cockpit.

Source
simBrief: How do I access SimBrief?

To access SimBrief, you need to sign in using a Navigraph account. You can create a free Navigraph account from the SimBrief website.

Source
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