Choose X-Plane 11
Choose X-Plane 11 if you want the Shared/Split Screen PvP, PvP, and Tracked Controller Support side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 92.2% positive across 8,762 reviews.
X-Plane 11 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition
X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition both land in Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Simulation games on Steam. Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition (2014) is 3 years older than X-Plane 11 (2017). X-Plane 11 scores higher on Steam reviews (92.2% positive) than Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition (86% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition
Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 14,050 Steam reviews back the pick.
Both X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition sit in Simulation on Steam and both list Multi-player, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 X-Plane 11 |  Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2014 |
| Genres | Simulation | Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Unsupported |
| Price | 29.99 USD | 24.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 92.2% positive (8,762 reviews) | 86% positive (14,050 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Multi-player |
| Developers | Laminar Research | Microsoft Game Studios |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition (2014) is 3 years older than X-Plane 11 (2017).
- X-Plane 11 scores higher on Steam reviews (92.2% positive) than Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition (86% positive).
- Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition is currently ~17% cheaper on Steam than X-Plane 11 (24.99 USD vs. 29.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: X-Plane 11 is Deck Playable, Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition is Deck Unsupported.
X-Plane 11 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition — FAQ
- Which is better, X-Plane 11 or Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition?
- On Steam reviews X-Plane 11 scores higher (92.2% positive) than Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition (86% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, X-Plane 11 is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play X-Plane 11 or Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition first?
- If you want chronology, Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition (2014) came out before X-Plane 11 (2017). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition similar?
- They overlap on Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.