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Aviation · head to head

Boeing Aviator vs X-Plane 12

Boeing Aviator logo

Boeing Aviator

Aviation

Boeing flight planning and pilot information system

From
Free
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

  • Only Boeing Aviator has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Boeing Aviator no published pricing; requires contacting sales for quotes; 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: Boeing Aviator covers Flight planning, 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 Boeing Aviator and X-Plane 12 actually diverge.

Attributes where Boeing Aviator and X-Plane 12 differ
AttributeBoeing AviatorX-Plane 12
Starting priceFree$59.99/lifetime
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded19161995

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 Boeing Aviator

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

Only in X-Plane 12

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

What people use each for

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

Boeing Aviator

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

X-Plane 12

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

Where each one falls short

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

Boeing Aviator

  • No published pricing; requires contacting sales for quotes
  • Pricing not disclosed on public product page

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

Boeing Aviator

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

X-Plane 12

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

Which should you pick?

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

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 Boeing Aviator or X-Plane 12 better?
Neither clearly leads. Boeing Aviator starts at Free 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, Boeing Aviator or X-Plane 12?
Boeing Aviator has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Boeing Aviator and $59.99/lifetime for X-Plane 12.
Does Boeing Aviator or X-Plane 12 run on more platforms?
Boeing Aviator runs on Ios, Android, Web. X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
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 Boeing Aviator best used for?
Boeing Aviator is most often used for flight planning, pre-flight briefing, performance data, weather analysis. Of those, flight planning and pre-flight briefing are not what X-Plane 12 is typically brought in for.
What can Boeing Aviator do that X-Plane 12 cannot?
Boeing Aviator covers Flight planning, Aircraft performance, Weather integration, Weight and balance. X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Boeing Aviator: Does Jeppesen publish pricing for Aviator?

No, Jeppesen does not publish specific pricing for Aviator on their website and requires customers to contact sales for custom quotes.

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
Boeing Aviator: What is Aviator pricing based on?

Aviator is offered as a configurable suite of EFB solutions, with pricing determined through direct sales consultation based on module selection and integration requirements.

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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