Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

Digital Combat Simulator VS FlightGear

Compare Digital Combat Simulator VS FlightGear and see what are their differences

craftlands.host
Powerful, fast, and budget-friendly game server hosting for Minecraft, Rust and more. featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Digital Combat Simulator logo 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.

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.
  • Digital Combat Simulator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02
  • 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

Digital Combat Simulator features and specs

  • Realism
    Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) is known for its high level of realism, offering detailed simulations of aircraft and realistic flight dynamics.
  • Diverse Aircraft
    DCS offers a wide range of aircraft to fly, from modern fighter jets to World War II planes, catering to a variety of aviation interests.
  • Modularity
    The game allows for modular purchases, enabling players to buy and play only the modules they are interested in, which can be more economical.
  • Community and Modding
    DCS has an active community that contributes through forums, mods, and additional content, enhancing the experience and offering support.
  • Free Base Game
    The base game of DCS is free to download and play, giving players a chance to experience the simulator without an upfront cost.

Possible disadvantages of Digital Combat Simulator

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its high realism, DCS has a steep learning curve, which can be intimidating for newcomers to flight simulation.
  • Expensive Add-ons
    While the base game is free, the modules (additional aircraft, maps, etc.) can be quite expensive, leading to high overall costs.
  • Resource Intensive
    DCS demands high system requirements to run smoothly, necessitating a powerful PC setup for the best experience.
  • Limited Content Without DLC
    The free version comes with limited content, requiring players to purchase additional modules to fully enjoy the game.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up controls, ensuring compatibility with various hardware peripherals, and configuring settings can be complex and time-consuming.

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.

Analysis of FlightGear

Overall verdict

  • FlightGear is considered a good option for enthusiasts who appreciate open-source software and are looking for a free, customizable flight simulation experience. However, its complexity and less polished graphics compared to commercial alternatives might not make it suitable for users seeking plug-and-play simplicity or cutting-edge visuals.

Why this product is good

  • FlightGear is a free and open-source flight simulator that has been in development since 1996. It is known for its extensive customizability and the ability to simulate a wide range of aircraft and environments. The simulator boasts a large library of over 20,000 real-world airports and an active community contributing to its ongoing development and support. Being open-source, it allows users to modify and enhance the software to suit their needs, making it a flexible choice for aviation enthusiasts.

Recommended for

    FlightGear is recommended for hobbyists, aviation students, and developers who are interested in flight simulation for educational purposes, training, or leisurely exploration. It is also ideal for those who enjoy participating in an active community and are willing to invest time into configuring and customizing their simulation experience.

Digital Combat Simulator videos

No Digital Combat Simulator videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

FlightGear videos

+ Add

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Digital Combat Simulator and FlightGear)

Digital Combat Simulator

FlightGear

Space Simulator
35 35%
Space Simulator
65% 65
Action
47 47%
Action
53% 53
Flight Simulator
0 0%
Flight Simulator
100% 100
Games
38 38%
Games
62% 62

User comments

Share your experience with using Digital Combat Simulator and FlightGear. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

Digital Combat Simulator Reviews

We have no reviews of Digital Combat Simulator yet.
Be the first one to post

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FlightGear seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Digital Combat Simulator mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Digital Combat Simulator yet. Tracking of Digital Combat Simulator recommendations started around Mar 2021.

FlightGear mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Digital Combat Simulator and FlightGear, you can also consider the following products

X-Plane - The world's most advanced flight simulator just got an upgrade. Download the free demo today for Windows, macOS, & Linux.

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

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.

Crimson Skies - Crimson Skies is an Arcade, Single and Multiplayer Flight video game created by Zipper Interactive and published by ACES Studios.

Loading...