Deciding whether to get X-Plane 10 or Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) can at times be a very challenging decision to make. As a user of both, I decided to help some of you consider which meets your needs! Both simulators definitely have ups and downs, and at times be as if comparing a 747 to a mouse, or vise-versa.

X-Plane 10 vanilla features FSX doesn’t have out of the box (OTB).

• Realism – X-Plane definitely comes with a world better realism FSX by default. More airports are up-to-date and way more detailed.
• Good AI Traffic – A great OTB feature of X-Plane is that it has a great AI plane system, unlike FSX. You can easily add/modify AI aircraft, whilst in FSX, AI aircraft are rare and very unrealistic.
• Exhaust – Adding on to the realism, in X-Plane you have a fantastic option of exhaust smoke from the engines by default, whilst in FSX it is impossible to have it without and mods.
• Good OTB planes – X-Plane comes with incredibly realistic planes. For example the United 747-400 has a fully modeled cabin (including the bathrooms), unlike any FSX default planes.
• Built in working internet multiplayer – Now don’t get me wrong, FSX used to have this with GameSpy. But since GameSpy shut down, there is no OTB way of connecting with friends on FSX without mods, or playing over LAN.
• Accurate plane movements and reactions – Compared to FSX, X-Plane has fabulous aero-realism – meaning that the default planes move accurately through the air (keep in mind that most add-on planes for FSX have this fixed).
• Approach Mode – Want to practice your landings? No Problem! X-Plane covers you with a click of a button that will align your plane a certain distance from the runway, in position to land.

Default realism of X-Plane.

FSX vanilla features X-Plane doesn’t include OTB.

• SEVERAL add-on opportunities – On the internet, there are hundreds of thousands add-ons to FSX: Planes, Airports, Ground Services, Sceneries, Cloud/Water/Night/Dawn/etc. textures and alot more. Now don’t get me wrong – you can get these on X-Plane, but they are far less available and most of them are paid.
• Missions – FSX includes several entertaining missions, in which you can rescue a ship’s crew, fly materials to mountain climbers, and so on!
• Built-in tutorials – One thing that makes FSX beginner friendly is the fact that there are tutorials that are aimed at getting you used to the simulator. Keep in mind that these are interactive, so you get to fly your plane whilst learning.

FSX realism with an add-on called REX.

These are just some of the advantages of both simulators. Honestly, there is no “better simulator” in general. You can only judge both under a certain topic. Let us know what you have, and let us know what you think about it.

Filip — FandaGear.