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Aviation & Aerospace · head to head

X-Plane 12 vs FltPlan Go

X-Plane 12 logo

X-Plane 12

Aviation & Aerospace

Professional flight simulation software

From
$59.99/lifetime
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FltPlan Go logo

FltPlan Go

Aviation & Aerospace

Integrated flight planning and filing platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FltPlan Go 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; FltPlan Go fltPlan Go is described by the vendor as a free app, with no in app pricing tiers published on the marketing site
  • They diverge on capability: X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, FltPlan Go covers Flight planning.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which X-Plane 12 and FltPlan Go actually diverge.

Attributes where X-Plane 12 and FltPlan Go differ
AttributeX-Plane 12FltPlan Go
Starting price$59.99/lifetimeFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19952002

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 FltPlan Go

  • Flight planning
  • Route optimization
  • Flight filing
  • Real-time tracking
  • Weight and balance
  • ATC systems
  • Flight tracking
  • 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 FltPlan Go
  • Procedure practice and aircraft familiarisationnot FltPlan Go

FltPlan Go

  • Flight planningnot X-Plane 12
  • Flight filingnot X-Plane 12
  • Flight trackingnot X-Plane 12
  • Operations managementnot 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

FltPlan Go

  • FltPlan Go is described by the vendor as a free app, with no in app pricing tiers published on the marketing site

Pricing, plan by plan

X-Plane 12

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

FltPlan Go

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic flight planning
    • Route optimization
    • Limited filing
  • Premium$49.99/month
    • Advanced planning
    • Unlimited filing
    • Real-time tracking

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 FltPlan Go if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want route optimization.
FltPlan Go review

Questions people ask

Is X-Plane 12 or FltPlan Go better?
Neither clearly leads. X-Plane 12 starts at $59.99/lifetime and FltPlan Go at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, X-Plane 12 or FltPlan Go?
FltPlan Go has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $59.99/lifetime for X-Plane 12 and Free for FltPlan Go.
Does X-Plane 12 or FltPlan Go run on more platforms?
X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. FltPlan Go runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use FltPlan Go for free?
Yes. FltPlan Go 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 FltPlan Go is typically brought in for.
What can X-Plane 12 do that FltPlan Go cannot?
X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation. FltPlan Go covers Flight planning, Route optimization, Flight filing, Real-time tracking.
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