How We Choose Add-ons at X-Shop

In flight simulation, there are thousands of add-ons—aircraft, airports, utilities, textures. We don't aim to sell everything. Our goal is to offer only products that genuinely improve the simulation experience and are worth the money.

Every add-on in our catalog goes through verification based on several criteria. We test products ourselves, study community feedback, and communicate with developers. If an add-on doesn't meet our standards, we don't add it—even if it's popular or sells well with competitors.

This is a principled position. We want every purchase at X-Shop to be successful, for pilots to trust our selection and know: if a product is in the catalog, it's worth the money.

Criterion #1: Technical Quality

The first thing we look at is the technical execution of the add-on. This applies to aircraft, airports, and any other products.

For aircraft, we check:

• 3D model quality: exterior and cockpit detail, textures, animations
• System accuracy: do all switches, indicators, and automation work
• FPS performance: does the add-on kill frame rates
• Sound design: realism of engine, system, and ambient sounds
• Flight physics: does the aircraft behave plausibly

For airports:

• Accuracy of recreating the real object (we compare with references)
• Optimization (the airport shouldn't turn the simulator into a slideshow)
• Quality of textures and lighting
• Correct markings, taxiways, parking stands

We don't add products with obvious bugs, incomplete features, or outdated quality standards. If an add-on looks like it's from 2010 but costs like a 2025 release—that's not our choice.

Criterion #2: Developer Reputation

The developer's name matters a lot. Studios like PMDG, FlightFactor, iniBuilds, FlyByWire,  and FSDT have earned excellent reputations through years of quality work. When we see their logo on a product, it's already a guarantee of a certain level.

But we don't ignore new developers. If an independent creator releases a quality add-on, we're ready to give them a chance. The main thing is that the product meets standards.

What we consider:

• Release history: has the developer released quality products before
• Support: do they update their add-ons, fix bugs
• Community communication: do they answer questions, accept feedback
• Meeting deadlines: don't they abandon projects halfway

There are studios that released one good add-on and then disappeared. There are those who update their products for years and adapt them to new simulator versions. We prefer working with the latter.

Criterion #3: Relevance and Demand

We analyze what interests our audience. Which aircraft are popular in the community? Which routes do pilots fly most often? Which airports are requested?

We track:

• Trends in flight simulation: which aircraft types are currently popular
• Customer requests: what's being asked in comments and messages
• Discussions on forums and simulator communities
• Sales statistics of similar products

Sometimes we add niche products—for example, a rare regional airport or an obscure aircraft type. But only if we're confident it has its audience, even if small.

Criterion #4: Price and Value

Simulator add-ons vary in price: from a couple of dollars for a simple airport to a hundred for a flagship aircraft with study-level systems. We look at the price-to-quality ratio.

On the other hand, we don't chase cheapness. A cheap add-on that ruins the simulation experience and causes dozens of complaints is worse than not selling anything at all.

We evaluate:

• Content volume: what's included in the purchase
• Development depth: how detailed is the product
• Additional materials: documentation, tutorials, liveries
• Market price compliance: is the cost inflated

Criterion #5: Compatibility and Technical Support

An add-on must work stably on current simulator versions. If a product crashes every other time, conflicts with popular mods, or requires ritualistic dances for installation—we won't take it.

Important points:

• Support for current X-Plane, MSFS, Prepar3D versions
• Presence of installer or clear instructions
• No conflicts with common add-ons
• Availability of updates and patches

This is especially true for aircraft with deep system simulation. If a developer released a product a year ago and hasn't updated it once, even though the simulator received several major patches—that's a red flag.

We also consider how easy it is to get technical support. If the developer has an active forum, Discord server, or quick email support—that's a plus.

Criterion #6: Community Feedback

We carefully read what real users write about products. Forums, Reddit, YouTube reviews, comments on X-Plane.org and FlightSim.to—all these are sources of valuable information.

If an add-on looks great in the trailer, but pilots massively complain about bugs, poor optimization, or unmet expectations—we'll be cautious. One negative review isn't a problem. Dozens of similar complaints are a serious reason to think.

On the other hand, if an independent developer released an add-on and received tons of positive feedback from the community—we'll definitely look at it more closely.

We analyze:

• General tone of reviews: what prevails—praise or criticism
• Specific problems: are there systemic bugs or shortcomings
• Developer's reaction: how they work with feedback
• Rating dynamics: does the product improve over time

Criterion #7: Uniqueness and Innovation

If there are already five excellent versions of the Boeing 737 for X-Plane on the market, is a sixth needed? Maybe—if it offers something new. Deeper simulation, better graphics, unique liveries, or a more affordable price.

We don't add clones of existing products unless they surpass the originals. Why offer a worse alternative to what's already in the catalog?

On the other hand, we actively look for add-ons that fill gaps. Rare aircraft types, lesser-known airports, interesting utilities—if it's quality-made and someone needs it, we'll add it.

What We DON'T Sell

There are product categories that we fundamentally don't add to the catalog:

Abandoned projects. Add-ons that haven't been updated for years and stopped working on new simulator versions. Even if they were once good.

Obvious garbage. Products with outrageously low quality that aren't worth even the minimum price. We don't want to profit from customer disappointment.

Questionable utilities. Software that promises miracles ("+200 FPS!", "Realism like reality!") but in reality gives nothing or even harms the system.

How to Get Into X-Shop as a Developer

If you're a developer and want your add-on to appear in our catalog—contact us. We're open to suggestions and always happy to see quality products.

What's needed:

• Demo version or detailed product description
• Screenshots and videos
• Information about price and terms
• Contact details

We'll test the add-on, evaluate it according to our criteria, and give an answer. If the product meets the standards—we'll gladly add it to the catalog.

Conclusions

Choosing add-ons for X-Shop isn't a random process. We carefully check each product to guarantee quality and customer satisfaction.

Our task is to be not just a store, but content curators who help pilots find the best add-ons and not waste money. When you buy at X-Shop, you can be sure: this product is tested, approved, and truly worth its money.

We continue to expand the catalog, adding new add-ons and following trends in flight simulation. Your feedback and suggestions help us become better. Thank you for trusting X-Shop!