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Aviation & Aerospace · head to head

X-Plane 12 vs Boeing Aviator

X-Plane 12 logo

X-Plane 12

Aviation & Aerospace

Professional flight simulation software

From
$59.99/lifetime
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Boeing Aviator logo

Boeing Aviator

Aviation & Aerospace

Boeing flight planning and pilot information system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Boeing Aviator has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: X-Plane 12 commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download; Boeing Aviator jeppesen names AVIATOR's configurable modules, Briefing, Dashboard, Documents, Navlog and Tools, and states pricing is available only via Contact sales
  • They diverge on capability: X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Boeing Aviator covers Flight planning.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which X-Plane 12 and Boeing Aviator actually diverge.

Attributes where X-Plane 12 and Boeing Aviator differ
AttributeX-Plane 12Boeing Aviator
Starting price$59.99/lifetimeFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxIos, Android, Web
Founded19951916

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

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 X-Plane 12

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

Only in Boeing Aviator

  • Flight planning
  • Aircraft performance
  • Weather integration
  • Weight and balance
  • Route optimization
  • Boeing avionics
  • FMS systems
  • Weather services

What people use each for

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

X-Plane 12

  • Flight simulation for private pilots and enthusiastsnot Boeing Aviator
  • Procedure practice and aircraft familiarisationnot Boeing Aviator

Boeing Aviator

  • Flight planningnot X-Plane 12
  • Pre-flight briefingnot X-Plane 12
  • Performance datanot X-Plane 12
  • Weather analysisnot X-Plane 12

Where each one falls short

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

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

Boeing Aviator

  • Jeppesen names AVIATOR's configurable modules, Briefing, Dashboard, Documents, Navlog and Tools, and states pricing is available only via Contact sales

Pricing, plan by plan

X-Plane 12

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

Boeing Aviator

Free
  • Boeing AviatorFree
    • Flight planning
    • Aircraft data
    • Weather

Which should you pick?

Choose X-Plane 12 if

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

Choose Boeing Aviator if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want aircraft performance.
Boeing Aviator review

Questions people ask

Is X-Plane 12 or Boeing Aviator better?
Neither clearly leads. X-Plane 12 starts at $59.99/lifetime and Boeing Aviator at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, X-Plane 12 or Boeing Aviator?
Boeing Aviator has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $59.99/lifetime for X-Plane 12 and Free for Boeing Aviator.
Does X-Plane 12 or Boeing Aviator run on more platforms?
X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. Boeing Aviator runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Boeing Aviator for free?
Yes. Boeing Aviator has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. X-Plane 12 starts at $59.99/lifetime.
What is X-Plane 12 best used for?
X-Plane 12 is most often used for flight simulation for private pilots and enthusiasts, procedure practice and aircraft familiarisation. Of those, flight simulation for private pilots and enthusiasts and procedure practice and aircraft familiarisation are not what Boeing Aviator is typically brought in for.
What can X-Plane 12 do that Boeing Aviator cannot?
X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation. Boeing Aviator covers Flight planning, Aircraft performance, Weather integration, Weight and balance.
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