# The Best Flight Simulator Games by Platform

Source: https://bestsimulatorgames.com/flight

Last updated: 2026-11-10

The best **flight simulator games** in 2026 are **Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024** (PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5, $69.99), **X-Plane 12** (Windows, Mac and Linux, $59.99) and **DCS World** (free combat sim on PC). Free picks: **FlightGear** on computers and **GeoFS** in a browser. On phones, **Infinite Flight** is free to download.

## The best flight simulator games

| Game | Platforms | Price (US) | What it is |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537590/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_2024/) | PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | $69.99; Standard Edition included with Game Pass | The whole planet from map and satellite data, with career missions |
| [X-Plane 12](https://www.x-plane.com/desktop/buy-it/) | Windows, Mac, Linux | $59.99, free demo | Civil flight sim from Laminar Research |
| [DCS World](https://store.steampowered.com/app/223750/DCS_World_Steam_Edition/) | PC | Free; extra aircraft and maps are paid | Military combat flight sim |
| [Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250410/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_2020_40th_Anniversary_Edition/) | PC | $59.99 on Steam | The previous Microsoft sim, lighter on hardware |
| [Aerofly FS 4](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1995890/Aerofly_FS_4_Flight_Simulator/) | Windows, Mac, Linux | $59.99 on Steam | Civil flying with VR support |
| [IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad](https://store.steampowered.com/app/307960/IL2_Sturmovik_Battle_of_Stalingrad/) | PC | $49.99 list ($7.49 on sale on November 10) | World War II air combat |
| [Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition](https://store.steampowered.com/app/314160/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_X_Steam_Edition/) | PC | $24.99 | The older Microsoft sim, for very old PCs |
| [FlightGear](https://www.flightgear.org/) | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free, open source | Community-built civil flight sim |
| [GeoFS](https://www.geo-fs.com/) | Web browser, iPhone, Android | Free; HD imagery is a subscription | Fly over satellite images with other pilots |
| [Infinite Flight](https://infiniteflight.com/) | iPhone, Android | Free download, in-app purchases | The main mobile flight sim |
| [X-Plane Flight Simulator](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/x-plane-flight-simulator/id566661426) | iPhone, iPad | Free download | X-Plane's mobile app |
| [RFS - Real Flight Simulator](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rfs-real-flight-simulator/id1444761746) | iPhone, iPad | $0.99 | Airliner flying on a phone |

Prices and platforms were read from each store or official page on November 10, 2026.

## Best flight sim for each platform

| Platform | Best pick | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gaming PC | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | The whole Earth from map and satellite data, plus career missions |
| Older PC or laptop | FlightGear or Flight Simulator X | FlightGear is free; Flight Simulator X asks for 2 GB of RAM |
| Mac or Linux | X-Plane 12 | Sold for all three desktop systems; Aerofly FS 4 and FlightGear run there too |
| Xbox Series X/S | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Included with Game Pass in its Standard Edition |
| PS5 | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | On PS5 since December 8, 2025, $69.99. There is no PS4 version |
| Phone or tablet | Infinite Flight | Free to download on iPhone and Android |
| Browser or school laptop | GeoFS | Runs in a tab with nothing to install |

## Free flight simulator games

- **DCS World:** the free download includes two aircraft, the Su-25T attack jet and the TF-51D Mustang, plus two maps. Everything else is sold as modules.
- **FlightGear:** free and open source under the GNU General Public License, for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- **GeoFS:** free in a browser, with 30 aircraft listed on its site, live multiplayer and real air traffic. Sharper HD imagery needs a subscription.
- **X-Plane 12 demo:** Laminar Research offers a free demo from its own site.
- **Infinite Flight** and **X-Plane Flight Simulator:** free to download on phones, with paid content inside.

Free sims in other genres are on the [free simulator games page](/free).

## What your PC needs

| Game | Minimum RAM | Minimum graphics | Disk space |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | 16 GB | GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 5700 | 50 GB |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) | 8 GB | GeForce GTX 770 or Radeon RX 570 | 150 GB |
| X-Plane 12 | 8 GB | Vulkan 1.3 card with 2 GB of video memory | About 23 GB |
| DCS World | 16 GB | Dedicated card with 8 GB | 200 GB |
| Aerofly FS 4 | 8 GB | Card with 4 GB | 100 GB |

These are the minimums on each Steam page. Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition asks for only 2 GB of RAM and a 256 MB graphics card. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 also needs a broadband connection, because it streams scenery as you fly.

A joystick changes these games more than any graphics setting, but all of them start with a mouse and keyboard, and the Microsoft sims play on a controller. If your PC is the limit, compare it with the other genres on the [PC page](/pc).

## If you want the pilot's life, not only the cockpit

Flight sims simulate the aircraft. They stop when you park at the gate. LifeSim is the other half: a free life simulator in your browser where you can be a pilot, or anyone else, in any real city on Earth, with a job, a home and AI characters who remember you. It does not simulate flying a plane.

## FAQ

### What is the most realistic flight simulator game?

For civil flying, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and X-Plane 12. For military aircraft, DCS World. All three reward a joystick and time spent learning.

### Is there a free flight simulator?

Yes. DCS World is free on PC with two aircraft included, FlightGear is free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux, and GeoFS is free in a browser.

### Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PS5?

Yes. It launched on PS5 on December 8, 2025 at $69.99. It is not on PS4.

### Can I play a flight simulator on a phone?

Yes. Infinite Flight is free to download on iPhone and Android, GeoFS has mobile apps, and X-Plane Flight Simulator is a free download on iPhone and iPad.