I have never used 2020 and was getting ready to pull the trigger and get into fs2024.  I will want to be flying Boeing airliners with some of the hardware add-ons and not really interested in the careers/missions.  I am seeing that there are currently not a lot of options as PMDG and iFly are all waiting to be able to get their planes going on 2024.  So I was wondering if I would be better served to start with 2020 and learn all the ins an outs of the aircraft/Vatsim, etc. and then move up to 2024 when things get sorted out.  I realize there are some really good visuals that 2024 has that 2020 doesn't but I am not sure since I have no reference to compare 2024 to if I would not really be missing that much.  Opinions from all the folks out there who know a lot more about this than I do?  Thanks much.

10 minutes ago, Retiredpilot said:

I have never used 2020 and was getting ready to pull the trigger and get into fs2024.  I will want to be flying Boeing airliners with some of the hardware add-ons and not really interested in the careers/missions.  I am seeing that there are currently not a lot of options as PMDG and iFly are all waiting to be able to get their planes going on 2024.  So I was wondering if I would be better served to start with 2020 and learn all the ins an outs of the aircraft/Vatsim, etc. and then move up to 2024 when things get sorted out.  I realize there are some really good visuals that 2024 has that 2020 doesn't but I am not sure since I have no reference to compare 2024 to if I would not really be missing that much.  Opinions from all the folks out there who know a lot more about this than I do?  Thanks much.

If you have the money to buy both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, sure. My guess is, PMDG and iFly will probably have a compatible version with MSFS 2024 within the next 2 months to 3 months.  If you want to save on money, just get MSFS 2024 now and wait out the next few months, it shouldn't be much longer than that.

Since you don't care about Career Mode, MSFS 2024 Free Flight is in a usable state now and that seems to be what you'll be primarily using.  Stability in Free Flight in MSFS 2024 is mostly dependent on the plane.  For example, a lot of people are having a good experience with Fenix in MSFS 2024 while the default PC-24 has had some annoying bugs in Free Flight. So if you are using a 3rd party payware plane, and it's well made and compatible for MSFS 2024 such as the Fenix, I don't think you will have many issues.  As for the hardware, you can ask around about which hardware you want to be working with MSFS 2024. 

Most of the bugs are in Career Mode.  Since you said you won't be using Career Mode and you will be primarily using Free Flight, I would just get MSFS 2024 now and skip MSFS 2020, but the drawback is, you have to wait a few months for PMDG and iFly.  But if money is not an issue, of course, get both.

Edited January 1, 20251 yr by abrams_tank

17 minutes ago, Retiredpilot said:

I have never used 2020 and was getting ready to pull the trigger and get into fs2024.  I will want to be flying Boeing airliners with some of the hardware add-ons and not really interested in the careers/missions.  I am seeing that there are currently not a lot of options as PMDG and iFly are all waiting to be able to get their planes going on 2024.  So I was wondering if I would be better served to start with 2020 and learn all the ins an outs of the aircraft/Vatsim, etc. and then move up to 2024 when things get sorted out.  I realize there are some really good visuals that 2024 has that 2020 doesn't but I am not sure since I have no reference to compare 2024 to if I would not really be missing that much.  Opinions from all the folks out there who know a lot more about this than I do?  Thanks much.

In my opinion, starting with MSFS2020 would be the best option for you and then, when things are sorted out with 2024, you can purchase it and keep both versions installed if you wish.

I’d recommend you check out MicroSoft Game Pass. You can use both and more for a very low price.

 

Personally I prefer purchasing, but I do subscribe for my Grandchildren.

The standard edition of msfs 2020 has 50% on Steam right now. Given your plan buy that now and you are off to the races..

Edited January 1, 20251 yr by FBW737

The two sims are very different. 2020 is a mature sim and with the right add-ons it looks outstanding. My recommendation is that you spend a few months with 2020. Maybe by then, 2024 could be an upgrade to consider.

1 hour ago, laserit said:

I’d recommend you check out MicroSoft Game Pass. You can use both and more for a very low price.

 

Personally I prefer purchasing, but I do subscribe for my Grandchildren.

THIS.  Anyone who flys flight simulators for a hobby can afford a buck to garner some valuable knowledge, even wisdom.

-B

1 hour ago, Retiredpilot said:

I have never used 2020 and was getting ready to pull the trigger and get into fs2024.  I will want to be flying Boeing airliners with some of the hardware add-ons and not really interested in the careers/missions.  I am seeing that there are currently not a lot of options as PMDG and iFly are all waiting to be able to get their planes going on 2024.  So I was wondering if I would be better served to start with 2020 and learn all the ins an outs of the aircraft/Vatsim, etc. and then move up to 2024 when things get sorted out.  I realize there are some really good visuals that 2024 has that 2020 doesn't but I am not sure since I have no reference to compare 2024 to if I would not really be missing that much.  Opinions from all the folks out there who know a lot more about this than I do?  Thanks much.

I would start with both. Why not?

Looks like its 21 hours left on the half price sale. The standard edition is all you need. $30 instead of $60.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250410/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_40th_Anniversary_Edition/

I also think the Steam Edition is easier to update than the store edition. The PMDG Boeings gets better framerate performance than the Airbuses too.

 

 

All I fly is Airliners with A Pilots LIfe V2,  Fenix A 320, PMDG 737,and 777. They all work great in MS 2020, no problems, good FPS. 

33 minutes ago, YukonPete said:

I would start with both. Why not?

Too much of a hassle..

2 hours ago, Retiredpilot said:

I have never used 2020 and was getting ready to pull the trigger and get into fs2024.  I will want to be flying Boeing airliners with some of the hardware add-ons and not really interested in the careers/missions.  I am seeing that there are currently not a lot of options as PMDG and iFly are all waiting to be able to get their planes going on 2024.  So I was wondering if I would be better served to start with 2020 and learn all the ins an outs of the aircraft/Vatsim, etc. and then move up to 2024 when things get sorted out.  I realize there are some really good visuals that 2024 has that 2020 doesn't but I am not sure since I have no reference to compare 2024 to if I would not really be missing that much.  Opinions from all the folks out there who know a lot more about this than I do?  Thanks much.

2024 is not ready for prime time..  2020 is your best option at present.

This sale is for Jan 1 and Jan 2 only. It's the marketplace inside msfs 2020. If you buy 2020, I would get it today if you want to use the sale.

I'd honestly start with 2020. FS2024 isn't in a great place right now both from a tech standpoint and plane standpoint. Sure, PMDG and iFly are bringing their planes to 2024, but both have said they are waiting on a better SDK from Asobo. 

It's going to take a while until they get there. I think 2-3 months is optimistic. I know in my case, FS24 gobbles ram like crazy. FS2020 uses 54% ram; 2024 96%

Despite it being far from perfect 30 bucks for 2020 is silly money, a no brainer. That plus some Freeware ac to get the hang of it then your payware addons next week sounds like a good start to the new year.