DJI’s official practice tool, ORQA’s free FPV SkyDive, Real Drone Simulator’s broad-mode standalone app, FlowState’s open-source low-latency FPV engine, the pro-grade DRL SIM, and the veteran race sims VelociDrone and Liftoff (plus lightweight FPV Freerider) together form a practical toolkit for anyone who wants to learn drone flying, practice cinematic shots, or train for competitive FPV racing on a Windows PC—many of them available for free or with free trials, and all accessible via Steam, vendor sites, or direct download depending on the product. (apps.apple.com)
The consumer drone market now spans photography, delivery, surveying, emergency response, and high-speed FPV racing, which makes simulator training valuable for both hobbyists and professionals. Simulators let pilots learn stick discipline, tune PID/rate setups, practice emergency recoveries, and rehearse racing lines without risking airframes, batteries, or bystanders. For Windows users, the ecosystem includes lightweight practice titles, open-source alternatives, subscription-backed league sims, and mature paid training platforms—each built with different priorities in physics fidelity, visual fidelity, community features, and hardware compatibility. (realdronesimulator.com)
Source: TechPP 8 Best Free Drone Simulators for Windows PC - TechPP
Background
The consumer drone market now spans photography, delivery, surveying, emergency response, and high-speed FPV racing, which makes simulator training valuable for both hobbyists and professionals. Simulators let pilots learn stick discipline, tune PID/rate setups, practice emergency recoveries, and rehearse racing lines without risking airframes, batteries, or bystanders. For Windows users, the ecosystem includes lightweight practice titles, open-source alternatives, subscription-backed league sims, and mature paid training platforms—each built with different priorities in physics fidelity, visual fidelity, community features, and hardware compatibility. (realdronesimulator.com)Why use a drone simulator on Windows?
- Safe, low-cost training: Practice crashes cost nothing but screen time; learn throttle, yaw, and stick transitions without bent arms.
- Hardware parity and controller mapping: Most sims support real RC transmitters, XInput/DirectInput controllers, and custom rate curves to match your real-world setup. (store.steampowered.com)
- Repeatable training and telemetry: Sims provide perfect repeatability for practicing a line or cinematography shot, plus DVR/replay features for self-review. (store.epicgames.com)
- Community and league practice: Competitive racers use VelociDrone, Liftoff, and DRL SIM to prepare for MultiGP, team events, and official tryouts. (modelaviation.com)
How these sims stack up: practical guide and recommendations
1) DJI Virtual Flight — Best first step for DJI photography pilots
- Key features: Controller-mapped DJI flight feel, photography-focused training, simplified cinematic scenarios.
- Why it’s recommended: If you own a DJI Avata, DJI FPV, or camera-centric DJI model, DJI Virtual Flight is designed to pair with the OEM controller and the app’s flight modes to teach subtle camera-oriented handling. (apps.apple.com)
- Native DJI controller support and photography-focused scenarios make it a direct bridge from sim to hardware.
- Light on system requirements — designed to run on common consumer PCs and mobile devices.
- DJI announced the app would stop maintenance on March 21, 2024 and advised users that the app remains usable but will not receive updates or technical support going forward. This means it’s still fine for basic practice, but there’s little prospect of new hardware integration or bug fixes from DJI. Users planning long-term training should pair DJI Virtual Flight practice with a more actively maintained sim for advanced skill building. (apps.apple.com)
2) FPV SkyDive (ORQA) — Free, polished FPV practice and track building
- Key features: Free-to-play on Steam, realistic FPV physics tailored for both racing and freestyle, integrated track builder and flight school. (store.steampowered.com)
- ORQA built FPV SkyDive with realistic air interaction and a focus on “stick feel,” while keeping the game accessible across PCs and mobile devices. It’s free on major platforms, with DLC and paid bundles available for extra tracks and content. (orqafpv.com)
- Zero entry price on Steam for core experience.
- Flight School and Track Builder tools help new pilots transition from basic control to advanced freestyle and racing techniques.
- DLC content and certain controller bundles (ORQA FPV.Ctrl) expand capabilities at extra cost; high-end competitive features may require paid content. (store.steampowered.com)
3) Real Drone Simulator — Standalone, cinematic + multiplayer modes
- Key features: Standalone Windows app with multiple drone models, physics based on measured parameters, game modes including Free Flight, Time Trial, Racing, and planned Cinematography and Aerial Filming. Multiplayer and a custom map editor are core parts of the roadmap. (realdronesimulator.com)
- Real Drone Simulator emphasizes both visual fidelity and physics modeling based on real hardware specs—making it suitable for pilots who want cinematic flight practice and realistic handling. The project states cross-platform ambitions and frequent updates. (realdronesimulator.com)
- Wide drone library mapped to real models and parts.
- Multiple flight modes for learning, racing, and cinematography.
- As an independent project, community size and server-backed multiplayer features vary by release cadence—expect active development but varying polish between updates. Users should confirm current multiplayer status before planning league-style training. (realdronesimulator.com)
4) FlowState FPV — Open-source, low-latency practice for purists
- Key features: Open-source simulator with low input latency priority, realistic FPV video artifacts, editable maps, and a community-driven development model. Steam presence and GitHub repo available. (store.steampowered.com)
- FlowState’s open-source philosophy makes it attractive to pilots and developers who want transparency in physics, the ability to tweak internals, or to run the sim on resource-limited systems while preserving low latency. (store.steampowered.com)
- Low system resource requirements compared with heavy AAA sims.
- Community-editable and auditable codebase for advanced tweakability.
- As a community project, multiplayer and large-scale support rely on volunteers; some advanced features may lag behind commercial sims.
5) Drone Racing League (DRL) Simulator — Pro-level training and pathway to competition
- Key features: DRL SIM reproduces DRL race tracks and drone models, contains interactive training missions, and is used by real-world DRL pilots for training. Available across Steam, Epic, and consoles; frequently used for official tryouts and pro-level practice. (drl.io)
- DRL SIM is the only sim officially tied to the Drone Racing League’s competition ecosystem and has been used as part of pilot scouting and tryouts, meaning it mirrors high-pressure race scenarios closely. (store.epicgames.com)
- Professionally produced training paths and physics tuned to DRL Racer models.
- Cross-platform release and league integration make it a practical pro pathway.
- The full experience may be gated behind the paid version or in-sim purchases; there’s often a free trial but a subscription or purchase unlocks the complete feature set. Verify current pricing before committing. (store.steampowered.com)
6) VelociDrone — The racer’s workhorse with laser-focused physics and track editor
- Key features: Highly respected physics engine, comprehensive track editor, large community track database, and official MultiGP compatibility for practicing sanctioned courses. Licenced product with optional premium packs. (velocidrone.com)
- VelociDrone is often cited as the go-to sim for racers preparing for MultiGP events and VRL drafts, thanks to its accurate flight model and support for standardized UTT tracks. Its track editor and community content are industry strengths. (modelaviation.com)
- Deep customization, community-driven content, and support for tournament-standard tracks.
- Paid model is a one-time license with optional DLC (micro quads, combat, etc.)—transparent pricing on vendor store. (velocidrone.com)
- Not free; requires purchase from the developer’s store (it’s not on Steam). Advanced packs cost extra, but that modular pricing can be cost-efficient if you only need specific content. (velocidrone.com)
7) Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing — Community-rich and feature-complete
- Key features: Mature track editor, workshop/Steam Workshop support, many licensed frames and parts, single-player and multiplayer options. Strong mod and community ecosystem. (store.steampowered.com)
- Liftoff balances realism, modability, and community longevity, and has been used in training contexts and military research. It has a paid price but routinely offers good value through community-made tracks and DLC. (dronesmonthly.com)
- Large base of community content and a polished UI; frequent updates and official DLC add value.
- Steam workshop facilitates quick track and drone sharing.
- Requires purchase; some users report occasional matchmaking or aging-graphics issues, but the physics and toolset remain current. (beforeyoubuy.games)
8) FPV Freerider / Freerider Recharged — Lightweight, cheap practice ground
- Key features: Simple, low-cost FPV practice with LOS and FPV modes; includes multiple scenes and a track generator; highly accessible for beginners. (store.steampowered.com)
- Minimal hardware requirements and an intuitive learning curve make Freerider a great first sim for pilots testing whether FPV flying suits them, or for casual stick practice. (store.steampowered.com)
- Affordable entry price with a no-frills approach to flying fundamentals.
- Quick setup and low system overhead.
- Not as feature-rich or physically nuanced as Liftoff, VelociDrone, or DRL SIM—better for fundamentals than elite race prep. (store.steampowered.com)
Comparative analysis: what each sim does best (and where they risk falling short)
- Best for DJI photography pilots: DJI Virtual Flight — direct OEM controller mapping and camera-focused scenarios, but no future updates from DJI (maintenance stopped March 21, 2024). Use in tandem with another sim for advanced practice. (apps.apple.com)
- Best free-to-play FPV entry: FPV SkyDive — realistic air physics and a free entry point via Steam, with DLC for extended content. (store.steampowered.com)
- Best open-source / low-latency option: FlowState — full access to code and community-driven performance; excellent for hobbyists who value input latency and tweakability. (store.steampowered.com)
- Best pro-track racing sim: DRL SIM — official DRL course replication and pros using the sim for training and scouting. Best for pilots seeking a pathway into league competition. (drl.io)
- Best race-focused physics and community editor: VelociDrone — tight physics and the most robust track editor, with MultiGP integration for competitive practice (paid). (velocidrone.com)
- Best all-round paid sim with big community: Liftoff — extensive DLC, robust editor, Steam Workshop, and a long-running competitive scene. (store.steampowered.com)
- Best lightweight budget sim: FPV Freerider — easy to run and low cost, ideal for quick practice. (store.steampowered.com)
- Maintenance risk: Vendor-maintained sims can be deprecated (DJI Virtual Flight example) or change business models. Always confirm a sim’s update cadence and platform availability before adopting it as your primary training tool. (apps.apple.com)
- Content fragmentation: Paid DLC and separate ecosystem vendors (VelociDrone’s store vs. Steam-centered Liftoff) can fragment access to tracks and community content. Budget for optional pack purchases if you rely on certain official content. (velocidrone.com)
- Overfitting to the sim: Practicing only in one sim (with specific physics or lack of wind modeling) can create habits that don’t transfer perfectly to real-world flying; use multiple sims and real supervised field time to generalize skills. (realdronesimulator.com)
Practical setup tips for Windows PC users
- Use a real RC transmitter when possible — many sims support OpenTX/EdgeTX and commercial controllers, which dramatically improves stick feel and control fidelity. (velocidrone.com)
- Configure rate curves and stick mapping in the sim to match your real quad to reduce the cognitive load when switching between sim and real craft. All major sims allow rate tuning; VelociDrone and Liftoff emphasize precise rate control. (velocidrone.com)
- Calibrate your controller and enable high physics rates (if your PC and sim support it) for more accurate and less “floaty” handling—VelociDrone and FlowState specifically prioritize high physics fidelity at higher tick rates. (velocidrone.com)
- Start with short sessions (10–20 minutes) and incrementally increase session complexity—focus on one maneuver or line per session and use DVR/replay to review. DRL and Real Drone Simulator specifically include training missions and replay tools for iterative learning. (drl.io)
Recommendations by use-case
- New DJI owner (photography): start with DJI Virtual Flight for camera-handling basics, then graduate to a general sim for wind and advanced recovery drills. (apps.apple.com)
- Learning FPV racing fundamentals without spending: FPV SkyDive or FlowState (free options) let you develop stick discipline and race-lines. (store.steampowered.com)
- Serious competitive racer: invest in VelociDrone (track editor and MultiGP UTT compatibility) and supplement with Liftoff or DRL SIM for broader community and league-specific course practice. (modelaviation.com)
- Cinematography and commercial drone training: Real Drone Simulator offers modes aimed at aerial filming and is designed to model camera rigs and flight dynamics. (realdronesimulator.com)
- Casual practice on low-end systems: FlowState and FPV Freerider are forgiving on hardware while still improving stick skills. (store.steampowered.com)
Verification notes and source reliability
- The claim that DJI Virtual Flight stopped maintenance on March 21, 2024 is explicitly stated in the DJI Virtual Flight “What’s New” notes on the App Store and corroborated by DJI forum responses confirming discontinued technical support. Users should treat the app as stable but unsupported. (apps.apple.com)
- ORQA’s FPV SkyDive being free on Steam and having a Flight School, Track Builder, and DLC bundle is documented both on ORQA’s product pages and the Steam store listing; Steam review counts and system requirements are shown on the Steam product page. These two sources together confirm SkyDive’s positioning as a free-to-play, multi-platform FPV sim with paid DLC. (orqafpv.com)
- FlowState is described as open-source and focused on low input latency both on its Steam page and its public GitHub repository, confirming developer statements about the simulator philosophy and the availability of source files for community contributions. (store.steampowered.com)
- VelociDrone’s physics reputation, pricing model, and MultiGP integration are detailed on the VelociDrone website and corroborated by industry coverage and MultiGP references; the vendor’s site also documents the licensing/DLC model and community track database. (velocidrone.com)
- DRL SIM’s role as an official DRL training and scouting platform is visible on DRL’s site and via Epic Games/Steam distribution notes; DRL has historically used the sim in pilot selection and broadcast tie-ins. That relationship is confirmed by DRL’s own description of the sim. (drl.io)
Final verdict — pick the right sim and build a training progression
- For a DJI photography pilot who wants the easiest entry, DJI Virtual Flight remains the most direct start — use it while it still meets your needs, but plan to supplement with more actively maintained simulators. (apps.apple.com)
- For free FPV training that grows with you, FPV SkyDive and FlowState are excellent first choices: SkyDive for polished, community-backed content; FlowState for low-latency purists and open-source tinkerers. (store.steampowered.com)
- If your aim is competitive racing, commit to VelociDrone (for track fidelity and MultiGP practice) and add Liftoff and DRL SIM for supplementary content, cross-platform match practice, and league-specific training. (velocidrone.com)
- For cinematic or commercial drone training, Real Drone Simulator’s model-focused approach and cinematography modes make it a strong pick—especially for pilots focused on gimbal/camera workflows. (realdronesimulator.com)
Source: TechPP 8 Best Free Drone Simulators for Windows PC - TechPP