If you are looking for a simulation that is truly $0, consider these options: Microsoft Flight Simulator - Xbox.com

For those who already own the game or access it via Game Pass, Microsoft provides massive amounts of content for free:

Microsoft Flight (2012) was a dedicated free-to-play spin-off. While its official multiplayer servers were shut down in 2014, the core single-player experience remained available as a free download for some time, though it is no longer officially supported. Free Content Updates

Collaborations like the Stranger Things Expansion or the Top Gun: Maverick content have been released as free downloads within the in-game marketplace.

The most common way to play is through a subscription. Both Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are included at no additional cost for members of Xbox Game Pass for PC and Game Pass Ultimate.

While there is no permanent, standalone free version of the modern (MSFS) series, several legitimate ways exist to access the experience at no extra cost or through trial methods. Accessing MSFS for "Free"