Top 5 Plane Simulator Games (2025)

ceo

6 Aug, 2023

Want realistic flight physics, detailed cockpits, and smooth performance—on PC, console, or mobile? Here are five standout plane simulators to suit different devices and skill levels. No links; search the titles in your store and fly.

Quick List

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — Gorgeous world, rich activities, deep avionics.
X-Plane 12 — Excellent flight model and IFR practice tools.
DCS World — Study-level military jets and combat procedures.
Infinite Flight (Mobile) — Global scenery with live ATC-style multiplayer.
Aerofly FS Global (Mobile) — Smooth performance and interactive cockpits offline.

1) Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

A full-Earth civilian sim with high-fidelity aircraft, live weather/traffic options, and structured activities (bush trips, jobs, training). Great balance of accessibility and depth.

Best for: Visual immersion, airliner & GA variety, sightseeing.
Why it shines: Photogrammetry cities, robust avionics, large community add-ons.
Setup tip: Cap FPS first; then raise clouds and terrain detail gradually.

2) X-Plane 12

Focused on precise aerodynamics and procedures. Ideal for pattern work, IFR training, and hardware cockpit setups, with weather and lighting tuned for realism.

Best for: Students and pilots who value the flight model.
Why it shines: Powerful plugin ecosystem, predictable performance tuning.
Setup tip: Keep AI traffic low; prioritize weather accuracy over ultra shadows.

3) DCS World

The go-to for study-level combat aircraft. Cold-and-dark starts, weapon systems, carrier ops, and realistic mission planning. Starts free with optional modules as you grow.

Best for: Military aviation, checklists, and high-fidelity systems.
Why it shines: Deep individual aircraft modeling, strong VR support.
Setup tip: Map HOTAS early; use training missions before multiplayer.

4) Infinite Flight (Mobile)

Serious mobile sim with global maps, realistic aircraft, and multiplayer servers featuring controller-style ATC. Great for route practice on a phone or tablet.

Best for: Portable flying with procedures and community events.
Why it shines: Regular aircraft refreshes and performance-friendly visuals.
Setup tip: Enable HUD + flight-path vector to refine approaches.

5) Aerofly FS Global (Mobile)

PC-style cockpit interaction on mobile with very smooth frame rates and quick loading. Excellent for hands-on flying and offline practice sessions.

Best for: Offline pattern work, GA and airliner systems on the go.
Why it shines: Clean UI, responsive controls, stable performance.
Setup tip: Lower shadow quality before textures if your device heats up.

Comparison Table

If You Want…	Top Pick	Why	Platform
Most beautiful world to explore	Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024	Photoreal scenery, varied activities	PC / Console
Best flight-model sandbox	X-Plane 12	Procedures & IFR practice	PC
Study-level military jets	DCS World	Clickable cockpits, missions, VR	PC
Mobile with live ATC multiplayer	Infinite Flight	Events, procedures, global routes	Android / iOS
Mobile cockpit depth offline	Aerofly FS Global	Interactive aircraft + great FPS	Android / iOS

Setup & Performance Tips

Frame rate first: Cap FPS or enable V-Sync before increasing clouds/terrain LOD.
Traffic & weather: AI traffic and volumetric clouds are CPU/GPU heavy—trim if stutters appear.
Controls: Map trim, flaps, views, and pause to easy buttons; calibrate deadzones.
Mobile heat: Use medium shadows and turn off bloom for long flights.
Learning: Fly short circuits first; add autopilot and IFR procedures gradually.

FAQs

Q1: Which sim is best for beginners?

For visuals and easy activities, choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. On mobile, Infinite Flight is a friendly start with helpful HUD tools.

Q2: What about realistic procedures?

X-Plane 12 excels for IFR practice and flight-model fidelity; DCS World covers military checklists and systems in depth.

Q3: Low-end device recommendation?

Infinite Flight and Aerofly FS Global scale well—start with medium graphics, then increase textures if temperatures stay cool.

Conclusion

For world detail and variety, pick Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. For precise handling and IFR training, choose X-Plane 12. If you want combat depth, go with DCS World. On mobile, Infinite Flight (multiplayer/ATC) and Aerofly FS Global (offline cockpit depth) are the standouts. Tune settings for smooth FPS, master your checklists, and enjoy perfect touchdowns.