Comparison · October 2026

Drone simulator comparison: ArduPilot, FPV and professional training

There is no single best simulator: it depends on whether you want to test your autopilot firmware, learn to fly FPV or train pilots and operators. Here are the main ones, with what each does according to its documentation, and where AIRLAB FPV fits.

Try 30 minutes free Simulators for ArduPilot ↓

How to choose a simulator

To test ArduPilot

If you want to run the real firmware with your parameters, the starting point is the official SITL, with Mission Planner, MAVProxy or QGroundControl as ground station, and Gazebo, RealFlight or X-Plane if you need different physics or a specific 3D view.

To learn FPV flying

FPV simulators (Liftoff, VelociDrone, Uncrashed, TRYP FPV…) are built for manual acro flying with your radio: racing, freestyle and cinematic. They have no autopilot.

To train pilots and operators

Professional training simulators (DJI Flight Simulator, Zephyr, AIRLAB FPV) add work exercises, assessment, student tracking and certificates.

Simulators for ArduPilot

All of them run the real ArduPilot (SITL) except AIRLAB FPV’s browser simulation, which reproduces ArduPlane logic with nothing to install.

Simulators for ArduPilot
	AIRLAB FPV	SITL + Mission Planner	SITL + Gazebo	SITL + RealFlight	SITL + X-Plane
Installation	None in the browser; AIRLAB Connector (Mac) for the real ArduPilot	Mission Planner; no build needed	Build ArduPilot, Gazebo and the ardupilot_gazebo plugin	RealFlight 8 or 9 (9.5S or Evolution recommended) + SITL	X-Plane 10, 11 or 12 + SITL
System	Any with a WebGL2 browser; the Connector on Mac	Windows	Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 or macOS	Windows (SITL in Mission Planner, WSL or Linux)	Windows (Mission Planner or WSL2), Linux or macOS
Firmware	ArduPlane logic; real ArduPlane with the Connector	Real ArduPilot, stable or master	Real ArduPilot	Real ArduPilot	Real ArduPilot (simulated EKF by default)
View	3D with scenarios, real terrain and FPV camera	Map and HUD	Robotics 3D	RC simulator 3D	Flight simulator 3D
Aircraft	19; SITL on the tilt-rotor VTOL and twin-motor fixed wing	All SITL types	Copter, Plane and Rover (Iris and Zephyr included)	SITL_Models models	Plane and helicopter; QuadPlane needs its own JSON map
Controls	USB radio (Chrome or Edge) or keyboard	Joystick or radio	MAVProxy or ground station	A controller must be plugged in	Joystick mapped to RC channels
Best for	Training: lessons, work missions, emergencies and instructor	Testing missions and parameters	Development, vision and robotics	Flying with RealFlight physics	Fixed wing and soaring with X-Plane physics

FPV simulators

For manual flying with your radio. Data from Oscar Liang’s round-up (August 2026); prices change, so we only say whether they are paid.

FPV simulators
	AIRLAB FPV	Liftoff	VelociDrone	Uncrashed	TRYP FPV
System	Browser (WebGL2)	Windows, macOS and Linux	Windows, macOS and Linux	Windows and macOS	Windows and macOS
Focus	FPV within training: Mario 5 freestyle and Mario Fold 8 long range	All-round: racing, freestyle and training	Racing	Freestyle	Freestyle and cinematic
Strengths	Betaflight Actual rates, configurable OSD, battery use from motor data	Beginner training, parts and prop damage	Realistic physics and low PC requirements	Many maps, multiplayer and map editor	Graphics and large environments
Limitations	Few FPV drones; not a racing sim	Physics can feel floaty	Simple graphics; not on Steam	No structured training	Demanding hardware; little training
Price	Base or Pro licence; free 30-min trial	Paid	Paid	Paid	Paid

Professional training simulators

For schools, companies and operators: work exercises, assessment and tracking.

Professional training simulators
	AIRLAB FPV	DJI Flight Simulator	Zephyr
System	Browser (WebGL2)	64-bit Windows	Windows and macOS
Aircraft	19: VTOL, fixed wing, flying wing, glider, multirotors and FPV	DJI only (Mavic, Phantom 4, Inspire, Matrice 210 RTK in paid versions)	Popular small UAS models
Content	12 graded work missions with PDF report, photogrammetry, emergencies and lessons	Skills, power line inspection and search and rescue	Warehouse, bridge inspection, stadium and NIST/APSA test prep
Tracking	AI and remote instructor, logbook and verifiable certificates	DJI skill tests	Courses, student tracking and APSA-NIST BPERP certificate
Autopilot	ArduPilot logic and real ArduPilot (SITL) on VTOL	DJI’s own	Not stated
Regulations	EASA/AESA and ENAIRE UAS zones	Not stated	Aligned with FAA guidelines

What about AirSim?

AirSim, Microsoft’s Unreal Engine simulator that supported ArduPilot and PX4, is no longer updated: Microsoft announced there would be no further changes and that the repository would be archived after launching its new platform (Project AirSim). The code remains available, but we would not start a new project on it. Nor on ArduPilot HITL, which its documentation lists as archived and no longer supported.

Where AIRLAB FPV fits (and where it does not)

What I would choose it for

Training pilots and operators with ArduPilot logic and nothing to install, on any computer
Rehearsing VTOL and QuadPlane with your .param and the real ArduPilot (SITL)
Graded work missions, emergencies, EASA/AESA regulations and UAS zones, with an instructor

What not

If you develop firmware for any vehicle: the official SITL supports every type and AIRLAB FPV does not include ArduCopter SITL
If you want to race FPV online: FPV simulators have more tracks, multiplayer and community
If you only work with DJI drones and their autopilot: DJI Flight Simulator reproduces their aircraft

Try 30 minutes free ArduPilot simulator guide

Frequently asked questions

What is the best simulator for ArduPilot?

To test the real firmware, the official SITL: with Mission Planner on Windows there is nothing to build. Gazebo is the choice for development and robotics, RealFlight and X-Plane if you want their physics and 3D, and AIRLAB FPV if you want to train pilots with ArduPilot logic, 3D scenarios and an instructor.

Which FPV simulator is best for beginners?

According to Oscar Liang’s round-up, Liftoff has the most structured beginner training, VelociDrone is preferred for racing for its physics, and Uncrashed and TRYP FPV stand out for freestyle and graphics. All of them are paid.

Are there free drone simulators?

ArduPilot SITL and Gazebo are free and open source, and Mission Planner is free too. DJI Flight Simulator has a limited free version. AIRLAB FPV can be tried free for 30 minutes with everything in the Pro licence.

Does an FPV simulator help to learn ArduPilot?

Not much: FPV simulators reproduce manual acro flying, without automatic modes, missions or failsafes. For ArduPilot you need SITL or a simulator that reproduces its modes, such as AIRLAB FPV.

Do I need Windows?

Mission Planner, RealFlight and DJI Flight Simulator are Windows only. The official SITL runs on Linux and on Windows with WSL, Gazebo and X-Plane also on macOS, the main FPV simulators on Windows and macOS, and AIRLAB FPV on any system with a browser.

Does a simulator replace official training?

No. No simulator replaces official ratings and exams, which in Spain depend on AESA. Simulators help prepare the flight, procedures and emergencies before flying for real.

Third-party data checked in October 2026 against the linked sources; it may change with new versions.

Sources: ArduPilot · Simulation · ArduPilot · Using SITL · ArduPilot · Setting Up SITL · ArduPilot · SITL with Gazebo · ArduPilot · SITL with RealFlight · ArduPilot · SITL with X-Plane · ArduPilot · HITL Simulators · Mission Planner Simulation · Oscar Liang · The Best FPV Drone Simulators (2026) · Droneblog · DJI Flight Simulator · Unmanned Systems Technology · Zephyr · Microsoft · AirSim