Softwr

Software · head to head

simBrief vs SkyDemon

S

simBrief

Software

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkyDemon logo

SkyDemon

Software

VFR flight planning for European pilots

From
€150/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only simBrief has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default; SkyDemon the first year costs 118 GBP against a 90 GBP renewal, so the entry price is higher than the ongoing one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: simBrief covers Flight planning, SkyDemon covers VFR planning.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which simBrief and SkyDemon actually diverge.

Attributes where simBrief and SkyDemon differ
AttributesimBriefSkyDemon
Starting priceFree€150/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebIos, Android, Windows, Macos

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2009).

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 simBrief

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

Only in SkyDemon

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

What people use each for

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

simBrief

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

SkyDemon

  • VFR flight planning and navigation for general aviationnot simBrief
  • In flight moving map and airspace awareness on a tabletnot simBrief

Where each one falls short

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

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  • The free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default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

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

simBrief

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

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 simBrief if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want weather integration.
simBrief 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 simBrief or SkyDemon better?
Neither clearly leads. simBrief starts at Free and SkyDemon at €150/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, simBrief or SkyDemon?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for simBrief and €150/year for SkyDemon.
Does simBrief or SkyDemon run on more platforms?
simBrief runs on Web. SkyDemon runs on Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
Can I use simBrief for free?
Yes. simBrief has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SkyDemon starts at €150/year.
What is simBrief best used for?
simBrief is most often used for generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulation, calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flights. Of those, generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulation and calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flights are not what SkyDemon is typically brought in for.
What can simBrief do that SkyDemon cannot?
simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation. SkyDemon covers VFR planning, Airspace display, Weather overlay, Navigation.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on simBrief

More on SkyDemon

Keep looking

Other head to heads