Software · head to head
X-Plane 12 vs ForeFlight
X-Plane 12
Software
Professional flight simulation software
- From
- $59.99/lifetime
- Rated
- -
ForeFlight
Software
Comprehensive flight planning and pilot briefing app
- From
- $130/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; ForeFlight device restrictions: 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and 2 iPhones per licence
- They diverge on capability: X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, ForeFlight covers Flight planning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which X-Plane 12 and ForeFlight actually diverge.
| Attribute | X-Plane 12 | ForeFlight |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $59.99/lifetime | $130/year |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux | iPad, iPhone |
| Founded | 1995 | 2007 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 ForeFlight
- Flight planning
- Aeronautical charts
- Weather briefings
- Navigation
- Weight & balance
- Garmin avionics
- Jeppesen charts
- ADS-B receivers
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 ForeFlight
- Procedure practice and aircraft familiarisationnot ForeFlight
ForeFlight
- Flight planning and navigation for pilotsnot X-Plane 12
- Aviation weather and digital logbooknot X-Plane 12
- Airport information and terrain profilingnot 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
ForeFlight
- Device restrictions: 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and 2 iPhones per licence
- Geographic region limited to one per subscription
- Annual billing only, no monthly option
- Starter plan lacks Synthetic Vision and advanced planning tools
- Essential plan lacks pre-built aircraft profiles and fuel planning
Pricing, plan by plan
X-Plane 12
$59.99/lifetime- X-Plane 12$59.99/lifetime
- Full simulator
- Global scenery
- Realistic physics
ForeFlight
$130/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the ForeFlight review.
Which should you pick?
Choose X-Plane 12 if
- You need flight physics.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
- You also want global scenery.
Choose ForeFlight if
- You need flight planning.
- You work on iPad, iPhone.
- You also want aeronautical charts.
Questions people ask
- Is X-Plane 12 or ForeFlight better?
- Neither clearly leads. X-Plane 12 starts at $59.99/lifetime and ForeFlight at $130/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, X-Plane 12 or ForeFlight?
- X-Plane 12 starts at $59.99/lifetime and ForeFlight at $130/year.
- Does X-Plane 12 or ForeFlight run on more platforms?
- X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. ForeFlight runs on iPad, iPhone.
- 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 ForeFlight is typically brought in for.
- What can X-Plane 12 do that ForeFlight cannot?
- X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation. ForeFlight covers Flight planning, Aeronautical charts, Weather briefings, Navigation.