Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FlightGear VS X-Plane

Compare FlightGear VS X-Plane and see what are their differences

FlightGear logo FlightGear

The FlightGear flight simulator project is an open-source, multi-platform, cooperative flight simulator development project. It also simulates space flight in Earth's orbit. It's flight dynamics engine (JSBSim) is used in a 2015 NASA benchmark.

X-Plane logo X-Plane

The world's most advanced flight simulator just got an upgrade. Download the free demo today for Windows, macOS, & Linux.
  • FlightGear Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-11

The FlightGear flight simulator project is an open-source, multi-platform, cooperative flight simulator development project. It also simulates space flight in Earth's orbit.

FlightGear's flight dynamics engine (JSBSim) is used in a 2015 NASA benchmark to judge new simulation code to the standards of the space industry. FlightGear is used professionally for research and development, as well as non-professionally.

Screenshots: link

Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FlightGear https://www.flightgear.org/category/tours/ https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/tags.php?tag=flightgear (multi-page articles) FlightGear wiki

As of 2020 there are over 700 aircraft and spacecraft projects available with 1 click download and install from the sim's launcher, more are available at 3rd party hangars and github repositories for different craft projects.

FlightGear 2020.3.8 and later has automatically downloaded 3d models of buildings, roads, cities etc. , based on Open StreetMap (OSM) data and automatic generation, for the whole world.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, other OSes

  • X-Plane Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-27

FlightGear features and specs

  • Open Source
    FlightGear is open-source software, meaning it is freely available and can be modified and distributed by anyone. This encourages community contributions and ensures that the simulator can evolve over time.
  • Cross-Platform
    FlightGear is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which allows users to run it on a variety of hardware setups.
  • Extensive Customization
    Users can customize practically every aspect of FlightGear, from aircraft models to airport details and scenery. This level of customization allows for a highly personalized experience.
  • Active Community
    The simulator has a strong and active community. Users can find a wealth of information, tutorials, and add-ons created by other enthusiasts.
  • Realistic Physics
    FlightGear offers realistic flight dynamics and physics, providing a more authentic piloting experience compared to other simulators.
  • Large Database of Aircraft
    FlightGear includes a large collection of aircraft, from commercial jets to military fighters, providing a wide range of flying experiences.

Possible disadvantages of FlightGear

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The realistic physics and comprehensive features make FlightGear complex, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • System Requirements
    FlightGear can be demanding on system resources, particularly for high-quality graphics and detailed add-ons, necessitating powerful hardware for optimal performance.
  • Interface and Usability
    The user interface is not as polished or user-friendly as some commercial flight simulators, potentially making it harder to navigate for new users.
  • Limited Professional Support
    As an open-source project, FlightGear relies on community support rather than professional customer service, which may not be ideal for users needing immediate assistance.
  • Inconsistent Quality
    Since much of the content is community-driven, the quality and detail of aircraft models and scenery can vary significantly.
  • Installations and Updates
    The process of installing and updating add-ons or the simulator itself can be cumbersome compared to more streamlined, commercial flight simulators.

X-Plane features and specs

  • Realistic Flight Model
    X-Plane uses blade-element theory to calculate the physics of flight, providing a very realistic flight model compared to other simulators.
  • Extensibility
    X-Plane supports a wide range of add-ons and plugins, including custom aircraft, scenery, and tools, making it highly extensible.
  • Cross-Platform
    X-Plane is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing a diverse user base to access the simulator.
  • Regular Updates
    The developers of X-Plane consistently release updates that include new features, bug fixes, and improved performance.
  • VR Support
    X-Plane offers robust support for Virtual Reality (VR), providing an immersive flying experience.

Possible disadvantages of X-Plane

  • High System Requirements
    X-Plane requires substantial computing resources, particularly if you're running it with high graphics settings and multiple add-ons.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its realistic approach, beginners may find X-Plane challenging to learn without prior knowledge of flight dynamics and aviation.
  • Price
    X-Plane can be expensive, especially when considering the cost of additional plugins, high-quality third-party aircraft, and scenery packages.
  • Less Focus on Scenery
    Compared to some other flight simulators, X-Plane's default global scenery is not as detailed, which may detract from the visual experience for some users.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Despite regular updates, occasional bugs and performance issues can affect the user experience.

FlightGear videos

What's new in FlightGear 2020.1?

More videos:

  • Review - FlightGear 3.4 REVIEW (HD)
  • Demo - SpaceShuttle launch in FlightGear 2018 with real voices from STS 133 mission

X-Plane videos

Is X-Plane 11 Worth It In 2020? [X-Plane 11 Review]

More videos:

  • Review - X-Plane 11 - Is it Worth Buying?
  • Review - FSX vs X-PLANE 11

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FlightGear and X-Plane)
Space Simulator
51 51%
49% 49
Flight Simulator
49 49%
51% 51
Games
52 52%
48% 48
Action
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

Share your experience with using FlightGear and X-Plane. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FlightGear and X-Plane

FlightGear Reviews

6 Best Flight Simulators For Mac of 2021: Alternatives To Microsoft Flight Sim
X-Plane and FlightGear are easily the most realistic but also the most complex. X-Plane costs $59.99 whereas FlightGear is free but X-Plane is more polished and easier to get going with than FlightGear.
Source: machow2.com

X-Plane Reviews

6 Best Flight Simulators For Mac of 2021: Alternatives To Microsoft Flight Sim
X-Plane and FlightGear are easily the most realistic but also the most complex. X-Plane costs $59.99 whereas FlightGear is free but X-Plane is more polished and easier to get going with than FlightGear.
Source: machow2.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, X-Plane should be more popular than FlightGear. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FlightGear mentions (1)

X-Plane mentions (5)

  • Where could I find X-Plane 7?
    Oh, Thanks ! I wasn't expecting to be able to download on the WayBackMachine I tried on the old x-plane.com website with no success but it worked on boostair.com ! Source: over 2 years ago
  • what is the best place to buy x-plane 12 from
    Haha, yes I know I can just buy it from x-plane.com, but I was just wondering what the community had to say. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Error 47?
    Has anybody gotten the "transaction failed (error 47)" message when trying to check out on x-plane.com? I've been trying to buy XP12 and I repeatedly get hit with this message :(. Source: over 2 years ago
  • It's Happening!
    Welp x-plane.com is throwing a 504 now so either the server got hugged to death or they brought it down temporarily for the imminent release. Source: over 2 years ago
  • aerobask Falcon 8x in XP12
    What tf do you think a forum is for then? Personal thoughts and opinions are like the entire point. If you wanted straight facts you would go to x-plane.com lol. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FlightGear and X-Plane, you can also consider the following products

Birds of Steel - Birds of Steel is developed by Gaijin Entertainment for PlayStation and Xbox.

Tom Clancy's HAWX 2 - Aerial warfare has evolved. So have you. As a member of the ultra-secret H.A.W.X. 2 squadron, you are one of the chosen few, one of the truly elite.

Digital Combat Simulator - Digital Combat Simulator is a Free-to-play, Single and Multiplayer Combat Flight Simulation developed by Eagle Dynamics and published by The Fighter Collection.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X - Microsoft Flight Simulator X is an exciting Open World, Realistic, Single and Multiplayer Flight Simulation developed by ACES Game Studio and published by Microsoft Game Studios.

Orbiter - Orbiter is a realistic 3D real-time space flight simulator program. Official site with free download. DownloadDownload mirror 1 Europe - Textures - Gallery - Links - .

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon combines the elements of Action, Military-themed, Arcade, and Flight Simulation developed by Namco and published by Namco Bandai Games.