Sim Software
The titles we run ourselves and recommend to customers. Grouped by discipline. Honest about what each is for and what it costs.
Last reviewed: 2026. We update this page when the landscape shifts enough to matter.
Sim hardware is a long-term investment. The software you run on it is not. Titles come out, get updated, and occasionally get abandoned. This page names the titles we run ourselves and recommend to customers — grouped by discipline, with an honest note on what each is for and what it costs to access.
We do not list every sim on the market. We list the ones that reward the hardware you are sitting in.
Circuit and endurance racing
- iRacing Subscription
The benchmark for structured online competition. If you are serious about racing against other people on a schedule — with a proper licence system, safety rating, and split queues — this is the platform. Nothing else delivers organised online racing at this level. Access model: subscription ($13/month base, content purchased separately). The catalogue cost adds up but the physics and the infrastructure are worth it for any driver who wants to race, not just lap.
- Assetto Corsa Competizione One-time purchase
The official GT World Challenge Esports game. GT3 and GT4 pure. Built in Unreal Engine 4, excellent tyre model, genuinely the best pure GT-class simulation available outside professional team tools. If you are building a GT rig, this is your primary title. Access model: one-time purchase; DLC track packs available.
- Automobilista 2 One-time purchase
Reiza Studios on the Madness engine. Underrated outside Brazil. The physics model is legitimate — it handles the transition from slip-angle cornering to limit driving better than most — and the car variety is exceptional: karts, Formula Vee, Brazilian Stock Car, classic F1, GT. A serious title for anyone who wants breadth beyond GT3. Access model: one-time purchase + optional season pass DLC. Punches above its market share.
- rFactor 2 / Le Mans Ultimate One-time purchase
rFactor 2 is the physics reference for pro team simulation work. Le Mans Ultimate is the dedicated LMP/GT title built on the rF2 engine, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship. If you are building a prototype/endurance rig or running a two-driver team setup on the ESS Aviator, LMU is a natural pairing. Access model: one-time purchase; content packs available.
Modding platform
- Assetto Corsa One-time purchase
The original. The modding community — Content Manager, Custom Shaders Patch, over 10,000 community-built cars and circuits — has kept this title the most extensible sim platform on PC since 2014. It is technically older software but the community updates mean the version running on most serious PCs in 2026 looks and handles nothing like the original. If you want access to every historic circuit, every obscure touring car, or just want to run your local track on your own rig, AC with CSP is the tool. Access model: one-time purchase; all mods are free.
Rally
- EA Sports WRC One-time purchase
The current official WRC game. Codemasters-built on the EA label. The career mode is the most complete rally simulation experience available at consumer tier — stage accuracy, service park, manufacturer partnerships. If you are running the ESS ePilot or eRacer for rally use, this is the title. Access model: one-time purchase.
- DiRT Rally 2.0 One-time purchase
Older than EA Sports WRC but still widely installed and still recommended for the physics model on specific surfaces (particularly the gravel stages). Many customers have both and use DR2 for specific content. Access model: one-time purchase; widely available at low price point as a mature title.
Flight simulation
- DCS World Free-to-play + modules
The gold standard for military combat flight simulation. Free-to-play core with modules purchased separately (individual aircraft and theatres). The Hornet, F-16, and A-10 modules are the community benchmarks. Active competitive multiplayer on dedicated servers. If your customer is building a military combat setup on the Aviator, DCS World is the primary recommendation. Access model: free base + module purchases.
- X-Plane 12 One-time purchase
Laminar Research's professional-grade flight dynamics engine. Favoured by GA pilots, commercial aviation students, and anyone who prioritises aerodynamics accuracy over visual spectacle. Works with real-world navigation databases and supports a wide range of add-on aircraft. Access model: one-time purchase.
This page was last reviewed in 2026. The sim racing and flight simulation landscape changes. If a title has been updated, superseded, or discontinued since this review, use the contact form to let us know and we will update it.
