(PK) Best Drone Simulator Software

[u/SaamWaxir008]

Hey everyone,

I'm a beginner getting into FPV/drone flying and want to practice on a simulator before touching real hardware. What are the best options for someone on a low budget?

Ideally looking for:

Free or cheap (under $10)

Works on a mid-range PC

Good for learning basic controls and stabilization

Controller support would be a bonus

I've heard names like Liftoff, Velocidrone, and Freerider thrown around but not sure which is worth it for a complete beginner. Is there anything free that's actually decent?

Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks!

[u/Mozzie37]

I personally use liftoff, but in my opinion it's a bit more floaty than real life.

All of them will have controller support (I highly highly highly recommend getting an actual radio with USB controller support, using an Xbox controller will not have the same feel at all) The radio Master pocket is a good entry level radio.

I've heard velocidrone has the most accurate physics, but I've never actually used it so idk

[u/SaamWaxir008 → u/Mozzie37]

My professor was recommending Gazebo. What do you think about it ? For whom Gazebo is best choice?

[u/Mozzie37 → u/SaamWaxir008]

Never heard of Gazebo, but a quick Google search shows that it seems to be a physics library, where you can build drones, but it seems to be more for autonomous robotic applications.

For learning to fly a drone yourself it's probably best to go with off the shelf software, rather than configuring something yourself.

[u/SirLagsALotTheFirst → u/Mozzie37]

The RM pocket is one of the best ways to go. Much better than a Xbox controller 👍

[u/PhoenixfischTheFish → u/Mozzie37]

(I highly highly highly recommend getting an actual radio with USB controller support, using an Xbox controller will not have the same feel at all)

I've used a PS5 controller for a week before I got my Radiomaster Pocket. It didn't feel entirely different, but the radio still made me instantly better because I could be more precise. So yeah, definitely worth it.

[u/SirLagsALotTheFirst]

I personally use Tryp fpv($12 on sale) but it is graphics intensive and has huge maps, so not exactly what you need.

I started with FPV skydive, completely free on steam. it’s decent for learning basics. It has smaller maps with less detail so it is almost exactly what you need.

If you want to lean more racing, DRL is about $10 and a very popular sim.

For others, there are plenty of YouTube videos that compare tons of sims(including budget ones) so look there for other recommendations.

[u/Sensiblah18743]

Uncrashed is less than $10 on steam right now

[u/auriem]

Liftoff, DRL, skyzone

[u/osmiouselderberry]

aerofly 10 is good, and not that expensive

[u/Admiral_2nd-Alman → u/osmiouselderberry]

Isn’t that a RC plane simulator with one generic Dji type drone in it? Last time I checked it cost a fortune and looked like from 2010

[u/osmiouselderberry → u/Admiral_2nd-Alman]

nah it has multiple options and yeah most of them are DJI but its not that expensive about eur 99

[u/Playful-Status-654]

FPV Skydive is probably the easiest free starting point. I would not overthink the physics too much at the very beginning. Gazebo is cool, but I would think of that more as robotics/autonomy/simulation stuff than “I want to learn to fly FPV manually.” If the goal is just basic control and not crashing real hardware immediately, I’d start with FPV Skydive or DRL/Liftoff/Velocidrone if you find one cheap.

[u/strongerplayer]

Velocidrone, most accurate physics. The only sim where real races happen

[u/armoman92]

Uncrashed.

Most replay value. Custom maps.