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Aviation · head to head

simBrief vs SkyDemon

simBrief logo

simBrief

Aviation

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkyDemon logo

SkyDemon

Aviation

VFR flight planning for European pilots

From
£118/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  • Each has a real cost: simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default; SkyDemon monthly subscription pricing not specified on store page
  • They diverge on capability: simBrief covers Flight planning, SkyDemon covers VFR planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which simBrief and SkyDemon actually diverge.

Attributes where simBrief and SkyDemon differ
AttributesimBriefSkyDemon
Starting priceFree£118/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebIos, Android, Windows, Macos

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation), 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

  • Flight planningnot simBrief
  • Aviation navigationnot simBrief
  • Personal leisure flyingnot simBrief
  • Commercial flight operationsnot 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  • The free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default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

  • Monthly subscription pricing not specified on store page
  • Business licensing pricing not listed; requires contact

Pricing, plan by plan

simBrief

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

SkyDemon

£118/year
  • Personal Annual$118/year
    • Two PCs access
    • Two mobile devices access
    • Personal leisure use
  • Personal Annual Renewal$90/year
    • Two PCs access
    • Two mobile devices access
    • Personal leisure use
  • Personal Monthly$null/month
    • Two PCs access
    • Two mobile devices access
    • Personal leisure use
  • Business Licensing$null/per device
    • Per-device pricing
    • Commercial use

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 £118/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 £118/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 £118/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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
SkyDemon: How much does SkyDemon cost?

SkyDemon's personal subscription costs GBP 118 per year for new subscribers, covering access to two PCs and two mobile devices for personal leisure use. Renewal for year two and beyond is GBP 90 per year. A monthly option is also available but specific pricing is not listed on the store page.

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
SkyDemon: What is the difference between SkyDemon personal and business subscriptions?

Personal subscriptions are for leisure flying and cover two PCs and two mobile devices at GBP 118 annually (GBP 90 for renewals). Business licensing is available per device for commercial flying, but specific business pricing is not listed on the store page and requires contact for details.

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
SkyDemon: Does SkyDemon include flightplan credits?

Yes, free flightplan credits are included with card purchases on personal subscriptions. Additional flightplan credits can be purchased separately, though specific pricing is not detailed on the store page.

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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