Thanks for taking the decision to open up the interface so that an open source simlink alternative can be possible. With the end of Windows 10 and the intrusive policies of Microsoft in Windows 11 I think more and more people will be considering Linux as the platform of choice for flight simulation. We will look forward to what comes next.
I would like to make a suggestion regarding the flight tracking features. Currently, the system feels somewhat restrictive to me. While I donāt necessarily need a real-time moving map, it would be incredibly helpful to have the ability to track my aircraftās position via external networks like VATSIM directly within the Navigraph Charts web version.
Ideally, a plugin for X-Plane that reports coordinates to Navigraph would be a fantastic solution, allowing us to easily identify and track our aircraft on the map. I believe many users would appreciate a more open approach to tracking.
As a longtime paying subscriber, Iāll throw my vote in the hat for a Linux version. As Microsoft has entered its Microslop AI/ads-focused era, I decided to wipe my PC gaming rig and move entirely to Linux Mint; X-Plane works beautifully, as do most of the other games Iāve tried (thanks Steam Proton!). I suspect that trend will get bigger as the recently cutoff Windows 10 users will be looking for alternatives. I fly on Mac OS and enjoy Navigraphās products on that platform (the trackerās a bit behind the aircraftās actual position, but it works).
Hi, I recently switched my gaming computer from Windows 10 to Linux (CachyOS). The reasons have already been mentioned here. In my opinion, MS is going down the wrong path, and since Proton now allows almost all games to run on Linux, one of the biggest obstacles for me has been removed. As others have already said, XPlane runs excellently under Linux, and even some Windows tools can be used via Proton. Unfortunately, Navigraph does not, or more specifically Simlink. I can copy Navdata manually if necessary, which is not exactly convenient, but it works.
This is what brought me here, to find a solution for Simlink.
I would be very happy if there was a way to āopen upā Navigraph enough to make a community solution possible.
We have so many excellent tools/aircraft/plugins developed by community members in XPlane that I have no doubt that, given the popularity of Navigraph, someone will create a plugin that provides Simlink-like sim data. Navigraph would just have to allow it.
I understand that Navigraph is hesitant due to quality and support concerns, which is fair and okay, but they could still give the community the chance to create a Linux solution.
Hello ! Iād like to also vote for a Linux version of your apps, especially Simlink.
As others already said, more and more people in the last few months are tired of Windows 11ās bloat and telemetry, and are switching to Linux alternatives. I think itās time for you to rethink your decision to not support that platform
Hi,
since my Windows 11 gaming system acted up after two month of not using it I decided to pull the trigger. I deleted the whole Windows 11 installation and replaced it with Linux.
I can use SkyDaemon and ForeFlight with X-Plane just fine. Both tools use default X-Plane features to get the data they need to put my virtual plane on a moving map in a real world aviation tool. I would lie if I would say that I was surprised since I read the system requirements for Navigraph / Simbrief. Still I am wondering why an API or a Linux version of simlink is not available.
My subscription ended in January and right now I am glad that I did not extend it yet.
I might just subscribe to the NavData to have an up to date AIRAC in my X-Plane installation and use this with ForeFlight and SkyDamon.
But since this is finically not feasible for the not IRL pilot I like to cast my vote for any kind of Linux support. Even if it is ājustā an API so the Linux people can do what Linux people do.
Oh and regarding the āNot so big player base on Linuxā, I would bet, that this was also the case when Valve started developing for Linux and created SteamOS.
Hi everyone,
Iām writing to also bring up my points for a Linux version of Simlink. Iāve noticed in previous threads that the primary reason cited for the lack of support is the size of the Linux user base. However, looking at recent Steam Hardware Surveys, the macOS user base is even smaller than the Linux one. In the Navigraph survey from 2024, these two OSs are only separated by 0.8%, only 188 people.
Given that macOS is already supported for Charts, FMS Data, and Simlink, Iām curious if there are specific market-related blockers preventing a Linux release, or how can it be that for macOS the numbers of users do justify this investment?
Iād like to highlight that providing basic functionality for Linux could be relatively straightforward to start:
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Targeted Scope: On Linux, X-Plane is the only simulator with native support that Navigraph also supports. Focus could be narrowed to just this platform.
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Integration: Since X-Plane offers a robust REST API to retrieve position data, a simple service to push data to the Navigraph servers would suffice. There would not even be a native plugin needed.
I truly miss using the full Navigraph suite on my primary OS. Iām hopeful that the upcoming version of Simlink is being built on a cross-platform codebase that would make a Linux build feasible.
Are there any updates on whether the new version will bridge this gap?
As a paying customer, I too would like to see a Simlink that works under Linux as soon as possible, now that I have completely switched from Windows and am now using Linux with X-Plane 12.
LOL! This is a good joke. Most of us are paying customers. But thereās been no Simlink for years. At the last FSExpo, Navigraph announced Simlink V2 and a GitHub for the Linux version. But nothing has happened.
Your posts hit this problem dead on the nose!
I run windows but use X-Plane as well. I am paid up in full for Navigraph but cant use it to its full potential either (flight school certified SimPilots). They only support MSFSā¦ and here they cant say āthere isnāt enough potential users of X-Planeā, we have many users who want this. However, this is also another misunderstood āgood business investmentā left to be resolvedā¦ Hope yours can be resolved! Cheers Skip
Thank you for your suggestions and requests.
We constantly monitor the size of our Linux user base, and the support requirement for a Simlink offering for Linux.
We shall consider Linux Simlink development and support when the user number justify the investment.
Cheers
Ian
Hello @Ian could you tell us how you monitor the Linux user base?
I cannot believe that there are actually more Mac users than Linux users for X-Plane.
Most Linux users are clever. For example: I use a Windows virtual machine to update my X-Plane NavData for Linux.
A simple Simlink/moving map plugin would not be a big investment. Alternatively, a Simlink UDP Windows tool could be useful. This would collect the data over Ethernet. I could then run it on a virtual machine or mini PC. With your internal know-how, it could be easily done. It wouldnāt be a big problem. I use Little NavMap for the map. I would like to use Navigraph Charts. But without a moving map, itās stupid. If youāre not a major player in NavData, I would cancel my subscription.
Hi Ian,
Thatās exactly the point Iām making and questioning. According to the Navigraph surveys and the Valve hardware survey, the macOS user base is equal to or smaller than the Linux user base.
To develop a Mac application, you need Mac devices, which are expensive, and a Mac developer license, which costs money annually.
To develop for Linux, you need a free VM on a Windows device that you probably already have.
So, once again, my question is, why is it worthwhile for Navigraph to develop for macOS but not for Linux?
Why is it justified to invest a lot of money in devices and licenses for a user base exactly as insignificant as the other, which could be developed for free? Is it because macOS users are more prone to invest money because they have to pay for almost everything and are more accustomed to that?
Does Navigraph fear that the Linux user base, which is begging you to support their OS of choice, would not come and pay for a subscription?
Have a nice day and best regards,
Marvin
We already have a support environment for our products in macOS. We donāt for Linux. Therefore it is an incremental investment which we are not making at this time.
As stated we shall continue to consider the option.
Cheers
Ian
Please discuss the Windows UDP standalone solution with your team. It shouldnāt be too complicated. Once thatās up and running, we can use Wine, a virtual machine or a small Windows PC. Iām happy to answer any questions you may have.
It sounds like youāll be satisfied with the new version 
I hopeā¦ Iāll wait and see.
We will likely never achieve the user base in Linux without applications being developed on the platform, and not developing tools for Linux due to lacking user base makes adoption all that much harder.
After having used MSFS 2020 for years and being a Navigraph subscriber for that time, I am trying to move over to X-Plane in Linux. I say trying because the lack of tooling means the steps to get there are a struggle. Moving maps and AIRAC updates are key features that can help propel the transition, but we need companies that are willing to take the step.
So for the time being, I keep going back to Windows for flight simming, or most often not simming at all. This will likely never show up in your user statistics.
Adding my vote as well. Sometimes itās just great to think that linux is not made from a giant tech company. No, it was made by us, the community. So I find it unbelievable that Navigraph is (sort of) not supporting the community!
Itās time to provide Linux users with the service theyāve been subscribing to for years. Thank you !