Whether you’re a student pilot, a simmer who loves stunning scenery, an aspiring combat pilot, or someone who wants portable flying on the go — there’s a flight simulator built for your goals. Below I’ve ranked and compared the top 7 flight simulators (across PC, console, VR and mobile), explained what each does best, and given practical buying and setup advice so you can pick the right sim and hardware and start training — or simply having fun.

Quick TL;DR (pick by purpose)

1. Best all-round realism & scenery: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Microsoft Flight Simulator+1
2. Most realistic flight model for pilot training: X-Plane 12. X-Plane+1
3. Best for combat/fast jet training & realism: DCS World. digitalcombatsimulator.com+1
4. Stable pro/training platform with legacy addons: Prepar3D (v5 series). prepar3d.com+1
5. Lightweight, smooth visuals, great for lower-spec PCs & VR: Aerofly FS 4. Steam Store+1
6. Free & open-source with excellent community tools: FlightGear. FlightGear+1
7. Best mobile sim with robust multiplayer & ATC: Infinite Flight (iOS/Android). Infinite Flight+1

What I judged them on

• Flight model realism (how well it simulates aerodynamics and systems)
• Training utility (instruments, avionics, procedures)
• Add-on / developer ecosystem (aircraft, avionics, scenery)
• Performance & hardware range (VR, low-end PC, mobile)
• Community / multiplayer / ATC support

1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — best all-around experience

Strengths: jaw-dropping photogrammetry scenery, modern avionics, accessibility for casual users and aspirant pilots alike. Microsoft’s new 2024 release pushed MSFS further into next-gen features and regular dev updates. It’s the go-to if stunning visuals and procedural world detail (cities, airports, weather) matter most. Microsoft Flight Simulator+1

Best for: VFR cross-country, IFR procedural practice, sightseeing, and pilots who want immersive visuals alongside realistic systems.

Notes: MSFS is resource-heavy on PC; check GPU/CPU requirements and keep an eye on marketplace/content management. Community mods expand its training capability.

2. X-Plane 12 — most authentic flight dynamics & systems depth

Strengths: industry-renowned aerodynamic model (blade element), robust aircraft systems simulation, and steady updates to avionics, scenery and ATC. X-Plane 12 continues to be favored where flight dynamics fidelity is primary. X-Plane+1

Best for: students wanting accurate flight handling, procedural training, and those who value realistic stall/spin/trim behavior.

Notes: Very configurable and great for building custom aircraft or testing aerodynamic concepts. Strong VR and hardware peripheral support.

3. DCS World — the choice for combat and systems-level military sims

Strengths: laser-focused systems fidelity, clickable cockpits, weapon and sensor models, and dedicated modules for specific military aircraft. DCS is the platform for high-fidelity fighter/heli simulation and tactical training. digitalcombatsimulator.com+1

Best for: combat pilots, weapons systems training, and anyone who wants in-depth procedural flows (radar, HUD, countermeasures).

Notes: Steep learning curve but unmatched for combat realism. Excellent for crewed multi-crew operations and modular expansion.

4. Prepar3D (v5.x) — professional/training legacy with broad addon support

Strengths: a mature, professional-oriented platform used for training and academic work; stable SDK and proven third-party ecosystem. Prepar3D v5.x continues to receive performance and usability updates. prepar3d.com+1

Best for: flight schools, professional training, and simmers who want a stable platform with tons of legacy addons.

Notes: Not a consumer game in the traditional sense — its strength is stability and customization for training installations.

5. Aerofly FS 4 — smooth, visually pleasing, and lightweight

Strengths: silky frame rates, very good VR performance, and an intuitive interface. Aerofly is praised for realism that’s accessible on modest hardware and for glider/airliner handling that feels very natural. Steam Store+1

Best for: VR users on mid-range systems, pilots who want stable visuals without constant tweaking, and people who want a fast “jump in and fly” sim.

Notes: Smaller third-party ecosystem than MSFS/X-Plane, but ships with solid built-in aircraft and airfields.

6. FlightGear — open source and impressively capable (free)

Strengths: completely free, open-source, and extensible. Recent stable releases (2024 series) improved stability and features. Community-driven projects (aircraft, scenery, instruments) make it powerful for hobbyists and academics. FlightGear+1

Best for: educators, tinkerers, and hobbyists who want full control without licensing costs.

Notes: UI/UX and polish trail commercial sims, but the tradeoff is no price tag and full modability.

7. Infinite Flight — the best mobile sim for flight practice on the go

Strengths: excellent global database, active multiplayer with human ATC, and frequent updates (new aircraft, AutoPilot+ features). It’s the most serious mobile sim for realistic procedures and multiplayer flying. Infinite Flight+1

Best for: mobile/tablet users who want realistic flight time, ATC practice, or simply to fly anywhere without a PC.

Notes: Subscription model for pro features; surprisingly deep avionics and a friendly learning curve.

Comparison table — quick snapshot

Hardware & setup tips (what actually improves training)

• Start modest, scale up: A mid-range HOTAS/yoke + rudder pedals is the sweet spot for most simmers. Add a throttles quadrant for twins.
• Consider VR for spatial awareness and scan checks — X-Plane and Aerofly have excellent VR performance; MSFS has great visuals in VR but needs a stronger GPU. X-Plane+1
• Monitors vs VR: ultrawide monitors + trackIR give excellent immersion without the VR cost/comfort tradeoffs.
• Audio & ATC: good headset + external ATC clients (VATSIM, IVAO) will dramatically raise your IFR and communications realism.
• Input tuning: set sensitivity curves in the sim; realistic trim and control authority are more important than raw precision.

How to choose: a small decision flow

• Want cinematic scenery & exploration? → MSFS 2024. Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Want the truest flight dynamics for pilot training? → X-Plane 12. X-Plane
• Interested in military jets & deep systems? → DCS World. digitalcombatsimulator.com
• On a laptop or mid-range PC and want smooth VR? → Aerofly FS 4. Steam Store
• On a phone/tablet or want a low-cost multiplayer experience? → Infinite Flight. Infinite Flight
• Want free, hackable sim? → FlightGear. FlightGear

Training plan: use sims for real progress (30 sessions)

• Sessions 1–5: Basic aircraft handling (takeoff, straight & level, basic turns, landing).
• Sessions 6–12: Radio work + IFR approaches (ILS, VOR, RNAV). Use ATC or offline ATC tools.
• Sessions 13–20: Emergency procedures and abnormal checklists (stall recovery, engine out, electrical failures).
• Sessions 21–30: Cross-country flights, flight planning, weight & balance, weather briefings and flight execution.

Pick the sim that supports your training stage (e.g., X-Plane or Prepar3D for procedure depth, MSFS for cross-country and environment).

FAQs

Q: Which sim is best for real pilot training credits?
A: Flight schools that use sims commercially often prefer Prepar3D or X-Plane (depending on their syllabus). Check with your CFI or flight school for accepted devices. prepar3d.com+1

Q: Can I use controllers across sims?
A: Yes — most USB yokes, joysticks and pedals map to all major sims. Only rare addons require special bindings.

Q: Is MSFS better for procedures or sightseeing?
A: MSFS excels at sightseeing and environment realism; for deep systems training, pair it with add-ons or use X-Plane/Prepar3D. Microsoft Flight Simulator+1

Q: Are there free options?
A: FlightGear is fully free and surprisingly capable for systems and academic experiments. DCS has a free base with paid modules. FlightGear+1