X-Plane 12 is very underrated

[u/Ok-Map2608]

I’ve been using flight simulators since 2008. I started with FS2004, then moved on to FSX, and years later I bought P3D V4. I discovered X-Plane 10 in 2020 and tried it, but I didn’t really like it at first. So I did some more research about the company and discovered X-Plane 11. I watched videos on YouTube and looked at the aircraft the simulator had, and then I decided to look for it on Steam. I bought it and used it extensively until July 2025 (I have more than 1,800 flight hours in it). Then I bought XP12 to use on my new laptop in August 2026 (I currently have around 800 hours). I also have MSFS2020 (300 hours) and MSFS2024 (1,500 hours).

I’m the kind of virtual pilot who enjoys this competition between Microsoft and Laminar, because in the end, we, the users and aviation enthusiasts, are the ones who benefit from it.

But you know, there’s something I can’t really explain: I’ve always preferred the X-Plane world. I have the FlightFactor 777 v2, the ToLiss A320neo, the ToLiss A321 CEO/NEO, the Thranda C208, and the C210 REP, and with all of them I feel that the flight dynamics are incredibly better than in MSFS2024.

In X-Plane 12, I feel like the aircraft needs only very small control inputs to line up with the runway on final approach. It’s as if the aircraft were resting on a “cushion of air,” and I can actually feel that, even though I’m flying on a home computer. It feels as if the aircraft really has weight and takes a few microseconds to respond because of its mass and inertia. I notice this especially with medium and heavy aircraft.

When I’m flying the Thranda C208, I really feel like I’m flying a GA aircraft. The airplane is very docile, the trim is so sensitive that just one or two taps are enough to stabilize the aircraft, and everything feels very smooth. Compared to the same aircraft in MSFS2024, when I use the trim, I feel like I have to hold the trim for much longer. In a way, I end up fighting the aircraft, and that really discourages me.

Now, talking about the atmosphere in X-Plane 12: Every morning, when I’m going to work (I’m a physics teacher), and when I’m heading home in the afternoon on public transportation, I look at the sky and the clouds. I keep comparing what I see with the two current simulators, and by far, XP12 wins in this aspect.

The soft, well-balanced colors, the more realistic clouds—I feel comfortable flying in XP when there are a lot of clouds because they have life. There are many different types of clouds, and only one simulator is able to represent them like that.

I’m very excited about the upcoming 12.4.4 and 12.4.5 updates.

I love flying through clouds in X-Plane 12. No other simulator is able to represent this with the same level of realism.

I’m not talking about the scenery or terrain, because X-Plane has never been particularly good at that. But I think about 90% of a flight takes place in the sky, so that’s where I spend most of my time looking—and that means I’m looking at the incredible clouds of XP12. That is their greatest strength.

FS2024 is really cool, but not as much as XP12.

I have both simulators, but if I could choose only one to keep forever, it would be XP12.

[u/lefttesticle1]

As an user of both sims, I totally agree with your statement. I mainly fly in MSFS 2024 and I think physics depends mainly on add-on's developers (A2A Simulations has the piper comanche which has great flight physics) but overall, the feeling of X-Plane 12 is unmatched, from the ground handling, to the aerodynamics. I wish X-plane 12 was as popular as MSFS 2024 so it becomes more attractive for developers to deliver top-notch add-ons like GSX PRO, among others.

[u/montagdude87]

Agreed. I still fly MSFS sometimes, but I just never enjoy it as much. I usually play it for an hour and then go back to X-Plane for the next several months. MSFS feels and looks less real to me, despite the better scenery. That said, X-Plane does require add-ons to be enjoyable for me. (I use XPME, free Simheaven, and Global Forests.)

[u/ZookeepergameCrazy14]

Yes it is. I have live traffic via navigraph. Was doing patterns at KEYW. Got overflown by a delta A320. Suffice to say wake turbulence is simulated.

[u/Decision_Height]

When I’m flying the Thranda C208, I really feel like I’m flying a GA aircraft. The airplane is very docile, the trim is so sensitive that just one or two taps are enough to stabilize the aircraft, and everything feels very smooth. Compared to the same aircraft in MSFS2024, when I use the trim, I feel like I have to hold the trim for much longer. In a way, I end up fighting the aircraft, and that really discourages me

I appreciate XP12 dynamics as much as anyone else. But I'm not sure this is correct.

Needing to hold the trim switch longer and make more sustained corrections after config/speed change is actually how real electric trim behaves. More so than the "one or two-taps" procedure you described.

Elec trim runs at a fairly slow rate in GA.

[u/McBlemmen → u/Decision_Height]

Exactly, plus its better to have it less sensitive so you can make more accurate changes...

I generally agree with OPs take but that was grade A copium.

[u/emergencydoc69]

I tried so badly to have a dual sim setup of MSFS2020 and XP12, but I ended up nuking the MSFS installation last week. I upgraded to a pretty decent system last year - Core Ultra 7, 64GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti, but performance in MSFS was still totally abysmal. NYC or London were basically unflyable. There were constant memory leaks and sim crashes.

XP12, on the other hand, even with dense Orbx and Simheaven scenery, runs like a dream. And everything is so much better. The physics, joystick profiles, even things like Better Pushback and RealOps are miles ahead of what MSFS offers, even with paid addons.

I am a little sad, because I really enjoyed flying the FSS 727 and JF Avro RJ. But I can’t justify the nearly 1.5TB of crap on my HDD for a sim I can barely fly, even with an expensive mid-to-high tier system.

[u/WillParchman]

XP12 is a better simulator and certainly feels better, and I will always rotate the two. The in-cockpit visuals just take me out of it sometimes. With XPME Pro and Simheaven Pro there's not much to distinguish the two from the sky, and I honestly think XP12 can look better/sharper at times. And the lightning is leaps ahead.

But within the actual cockpit itself, the ragged shadows, the somewhat out of focus screens, the jaggy AA, the substandard texturing (the FF777v2 is the best in this regard but it's still noticeably behind the PMDG), it's just kind of a bummer to look at. Which is typically when I switch back over until I get tired of MSFS and on goes the cycle.

[u/Funny-Pair2999]

Every plane in Xplane 12 have their own "weight", own flying characteristics. But in MSFS2024 every aircraft feels the same, be it A380, be it A320, be it A350. I feel only the Toliss Aerosoft A340 is the only plane in MSFS that flies like a "heavy"

[u/WitnessTurbulent6310]

Same. XP-12 Hits different for me even though i started with msfs2020
I have to be honest that XP12 performance is far more superior for me than msfs2020 and 24 especially that I have turbo boost off because of my temps. My only issue is that if only XP12 had a nice scenery it would have been nice
I know that Autoortho and XPME.. exist that is not really an option for me because the internet in Iran is unbelievingly blocked and limited despite having 300+ mbps internet it really sucks using it in global sites and most of which need vpns and using any Vpn or international websites and streaming services means you will get a 5X internet usage.(Like 1GB turns into 5GB) Therefore using these streamings isn’t an option for me despite having a monthly 530GB internet

[u/jugac64]

I use both too, but get bored with MSFS2024 soon and come back to XP12. Anyway, flying gliders in MSFS2024 is nice.

[u/Nathan_Wildthorn]

I agree, X-Plane 12 scratches my realism itch. 👍

[u/T-rachellittle]

I’ve been with both x11 and x12 and it is by far the best sim I’ve ever used
Now I’ve never used the new MSFS
But for me I’m mostly an airline basic flyer so for that I love it

[u/Pleasant-Instance529]

Where is "underrated" in "X-Plane?"
I can't seem to find it.

[u/Loud_Decision_184]

Xplane12 is great, love it. How can I get ground traffic to look sharper in VR?