As sim racers, we are deeply invested in our favorite hobby, or at least many of us are. This does not exactly make it easy if you are looking to dive into this world of virtual motorsport, especially with the near-infinite hardware choices out there. Luckily, the software side is a bit less confusing, although even there, making a decision is not always straight forward.
So, to help those who are looking to decide on their first sim after graduating from the likes of Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport, or who want to expand their libraries, we have assembled a list of the most popular racing sims in 2025, including their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one to pick.
Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution out there. Everyone has different preferences and priorities, and every sim is different in what it covers, which elements stand out, and which ones are not their strongest details. This list is supposed to help you make an informed decision, not to flat-out tell you what you should get. Doing more research of your own is recommended as well.
That said, let’s dive right in!
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
Assetto Corsa
Released in 2014, Assetto Corsa may be quite old now, but continues to be a breeding ground for community creativity. While its stock content still holds up well, there is a sheer endless amount of community creations for cars and tracks of all disciplines and eras of motorsport – and the some silly ones as well, of course.
Coupled with things like Content Manager and Custom Shaders Patch, AC looks better than ever and boasts more features than developer Kunos Simulazioni might have envisioned at first. And since the sim is usually relatively cheap even with all DLC packs included, it is well worth picking up in 2025 still.
Feel like running a modern-day F1 race in one moment, but want to switch it up to pre-war Grand Prix cars the next? AC is the sim to pick up for that. And pretty much anything else, including fun mods like a racing banana.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Wide range of content in the stock version already
- Endless stream of additional content thanks to community mods
- Good performance even on older systems
Cons
- Multiplayer can be confusing due to the variety of different mods run on servers
- Singleplayer AI is lacking
Who is it for: Sim racers whose main focus is not multiplayer racing, but rather experiencing an enormous variety of content with almost no limits. This refers exclusively to the PC version, as there are no mods on consoles, and that version is not up to par with the PC version.
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
Assetto Corsa Competizione
The official game of the GT World Challenge including its different regional series, Assetto Corsa Competizione features the most in-depth roster of GT3 cars from the mid-2010s to today. If your main focus is on this class of cars, ACC is well worth your while, although some players are not that fond of the physics changes in its last few updates towards the end of 2023 and in early 2024.
Be aware, however, that if you want to race online, you will likely need to invest in a good amount of DLC, as there is a number of popular tracks as well as the more modern GT3s included. Meanwhile, the GT2 and GT4 classes – also DLC – are well done, but not very popular online.
Additionally, with developer Kunos working on Assetto Corsa EVO, ACC is at the end of its life cycle, and as it is very restricted when it comes to mods, its longevity is unlikely to rival that of the original AC. Also note that ACC does not feature the sandbox approach of its predecessor, but is focused on GT racing instead.
Pros
- Very deep roster of GT3 cars
- Gorgeous graphics if you got the hardware for it
- Features one of the best Nürburgring-Nordschleife renditions in sim racing (as DLC)
- Good selection of tracks from around the globe (25 in total)…
Cons
- …but only 11 if you do not have any DLC
- Singleplayer AI is lacking
- Cars of more recent years are mostly DLC
- Hardware hungry
- At the end of its life cycle and no mods other than liveries
Who is it for: Fans of GT endurance racing who value a diverse roster of GT3 cars modeled in detail.
Image: Kunos Simulazioni
Assetto Corsa EVO
Kunos Simulazioni has big plans for Assetto Corsa EVO, combining track-based racing and an open world with simulation physics. As of early 2025, the sim is still in early access (only on PC, will come to consoles on full release) and does not have much to offer, but the Italian studio will gradually add more, including the first stage of the AC EVO free roam map located in the Eifel surrounding the Nürburgring.
Thus far, the focus is mostly on road cars, and with no multiplayer yet, the Gran Turismo-style license runs are the only real meat to the bone outside of AI races and time trial. On the other hand, players can still get AC EVO at a reduced price before it hits its full release version, which is expected in Fall of 2025.
Pros
- Kunos’ vision of circuit-based racing and open-world driving
- Cars modeled with extremely deep level of detail
- Plenty of customization options
- Plenty of content and features to be added, including road and race cars
- Reduced Early Access price
Cons
- As of March 2025, there is not much to do yet
- Limited content with few race cars
- Performance can be an issue, particularly in VR
- AI can be serviceable, but also rather incompetent depending on the car/track combination
Who is it for: Petrolheads who have been waiting for an open-world title with simulation physics, as well as those who want to sample different types of car classes both for road-going vehicles and race cars. Also for those who are aware that an Early Access program means that things sometimes do not work and not everything is in place just yet.
Image: Reiza Studios
Automobilista 2
The PC-only sim by Brazilian developer Reiza Studios offers a wide variety of content out of the box, including multiple decades of Formula One, evergreens like Group C, late 1990s GT1 and CART/IndyCars, and even a number of modern series. Most notably, this includes IMSA with a number of GTP and GT3 cars. Similarly, there is a long list of tracks with plenty of layouts, including an unparalleled amount of historic circuits.
The multiplayer side of AMS2 has seen progress, but is still not as deep as in other titles. Despite the endurance content in the sim, online driver swaps are not possible yet, for example. Additionally, some of the base setups on the cars can make them feel a bit odd, so some basic setup work helps – or you can go and grab one from the time trial boards.
Pros
- Wide range of content featured in the stock version already, both modern and historic
- Excellent visuals
- Great performance, also in VR
- Continuously getting better as Reiza has big plans including a deep career mode
- DLC tracks can be raced online even if you do not own them, as long as the session host does
- Several different disciplines: Circuit racing, ovals, rallycross, Trophy Trucks
Cons
- No online driver swaps (yet?)
- Some cars will feel better in other sims that focus more on them compared to AMS2’s smorgasbord approach
- Base setups could use some work
- DLC structure is somewhat confusing as many packs’ contents partially overlap
Who is it for: Those who want a wide variety of content without hunting for a plethora of mods, as well as sim racing historians (especially open-wheel fans) or those who want to discover a number of South American tracks and series, plus VR enthusiasts.
Image: BeamNG
BeamNG.drive
Strictly speaking not a racing sim but rather a vehicle simulator, BeamNG.drive is perhaps the ultimate sandbox. Soft-body crash physics, extremely detailed mechanical simulation and a plethora of mods in the in-game repository make this title an “anything goes” option for PC players.
More recently, the developers have hinted at adding more bespoke racing content and features, so it might eventually grow into the role. But BeamNG.drive is already fun but challenging for rallying in particular – and for any kind of wacky scenario you can imagine, too.
Pros
- Deep mechanical simulation
- Extensive crash physics and damage model
- Plenty of content in the mod repository
- Continuous development to improve the sim, although not at a rapid pace
Cons
- Older PCs might struggle with performance
- Racing features are very sparse, but are seemingly being introduced slowly
- Online multiplayer is in its infancy
- VR support is experimental and difficult to get set up well
Who is it for: Those who enjoy doing whatever they like with a sandbox approach, as well as those who want to see the potential of rally with a very in-depth damage model. Those who are looking for proper racing will likely be better off giving BeamNG.drive a miss for now.
EA Sports WRC
The official game of the World Rally Championship, EA Sports WRC is all about special stages. Gravel, dirt, tarmac or snow await, and so does the complete 2023 and 2024 lineup of WRC Rally1 cars – plus a plethora of classic cars and a few extra rally locations. Plenty of content to keep rally fans entertained, including one long stage per location that can take you up to 20 minutes to complete.
A number of rally fans rank EA Sports WRC behind what is essentially its predecessor in DiRT Rally 2.0 or even a heavily-modded Richard Burns Rally. However, out of the box, EA’s current WRC title has a lot to offer, although there are also some glaring oversights, such as the absence of a ‘Single Rally’ mode – while you can run exhibition events, this requires players to painstakingly set them up stage by stage, including weather, time of day, and service times.
Another option for rally fans would be its predecessor DiRT Rally 2.0, which is frequently on sale for very little money and has better performance, although its content is not up to date anymore. However, an added bonus is the inclusion of Rallycross, which is absent from EA WRC.
Pros
- Full 2023 and 2024 WRC seasons’ cars and locations (plus extra rallys)
- Lots of current and historic classes to choose from
- Long stages, including real-life recreations
- Crossplay between PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S
- Rally School mode included
Cons
- Performance on PC can be an issue, particularly in VR
- Uses Kernel-level anticheat program
- DLC stages are not incorporated into career or season mode
- No triple screen support
Who is it for: Rally fans looking for a great variety of content, including both modern and classic cars.
Image: EA Sports / Codemasters
F1 Series
As the official game of the Formula One World Championship, F1 brings you all teams, drivers and tracks of a given season with its yearly releases – though that model might not be used from 2025 onward. Either way, the F1 game series by EA Sports and Codemasters is the best way to fully immerse yourself in an F1 season.
However, from a pure simulation point of view, its driving model leans more to the casual side compared to other titles – which makes sense, considering that Codemasters and EA have to try and appeal to casual F1 fans as well as sim racers.
Be aware that the series features elements of modern gaming many scoff at, such as microtransactions and a battle pass system (called Podium Pass).
Pros
- All cars, tracks and drivers of an F1 season
- Immersion of feeling like you are in the middle of a Grand Prix weekend
- Scenarios are constantly updated throughout a season to keep challenges fresh
- Extensive career mode spanning multiple seasons and positions
- Crossplay with PS5/Xbox Series X|S console versions
Cons
- More casual-leaning driving physics compared to full-on simulators
- In-game monetization mechanics
- VR implementation is lacklustre
- No triple screen support
Who is it for: F1 fans, obviously, as well as for those who are looking for a complete package of F1 content. If you want to race with your friends, its crossplay capabilities eliminate the need for everyone to own the same platform. It also works well for controller racers.
Image: Xbox Game Studios / Turn 10 Studios
Forza Motorsport
As Microsoft’s flagship racing franchise, Forza Motorsport has a bit of everything. Lots of road-going cars are joined by a long list of race cars from various eras. The former in particular can be extensively modified, right down to engine swaps, to create your ultimate track day weapon should you choose to do so.
The game is updated with new events and content frequently, and after some initial difficulties during its launch, it has improved since. However, for racing purists, it might not be the best choice as Forza is more of a celebration of cars rather than racing itself – although there are competitions such as the Logitech McLaren G Challenge, for example.
Forza Motorsport can be played both on wheel-and-pedal setups and controllers. The game is available on PC and Xbox, and it does feature crossplay – so it could serve as an entryway into more focused sim racing. It even features crossprogression, meaning you can continue where you left off if you move between PC and console.
Pros
- Big amount of content
- Extensive car customization
- Crossplay & crossprogression between Xbox & PC
- Normally frequent updates & new content additions
- Approachable for relative beginners but also raceable for more experienced players
Cons
- Driving simulation not as deep as more “hardcore” titles
- Focus more on cars rather than racing
- Career mode can feel monotonous and does not feature race cars
- Some events and content that get added are time-limited
- No triple screen support
Who is it for: Beginners on Xbox in particular. Those who like to choose from a plethora of content that includes road cars. Those who want to crossplay with their friends across PC and Xbox.
Image: Polyphony Digital
Gran Turismo 7
The Gran Turismo franchise has been around for close to 30 years now, and ever since its first release in 1997, it has been irrevocably linked to the PlayStation platform. That has not changed for Gran Turismo 7 either, which is only available on PlayStation 4 and 5.
Its biggest strengths are its selection of detailed and customizable cars, its tracks that include beloved fictional circuits, and the fact that it has something to offer in both singleplayer and multiplayer – although the Career Mode has been criticized for being too grindy by some.
Additionally, it is arguably one of the best VR experiences available on consoles on PSVR2. The revolutionary Sophy AI is also a good reason to give GT7 a closer look. In general, a very polished experience is what awaits players.
While Gran Turismo 7 has lots to do in singleplayer, it also is popular in multiplayer. The game hosts the Gran Turismo World Series, one of the most popular sim racing competitions in the world. Like Forza, GT7 is both approachable for beginners, but also allows for veterans to dive deep to shave off tenth after tenth.
Pros
- Good selection of content for both race and road cars
- Iconic real-life tracks as well as excellent fictional circuits
- Polished experience all around
- Both for singleplayer and multiplayer-focused racers
- Great VR implementation (on PS5)
- Enjoyable for both beginners and veterans
- Outstanding visuals
Cons
- PS4 & PS5 only, meaning selection of compatible wheels & pedals is limited when not racing on a controller
- Content updates in recent months have been underwhelming
Who is it for: Petrolheads, fans of the franchise, VR enthusiasts who want to enjoy a racing title on PS5. Those who are looking for a title to race both in singleplayer and multiplayer. Controller and wheel users alike.
Image: iRacing
iRacing
The gold standard for competitive online racing, iRacing (PC only) offers an unparalleled event structure across a plethora of different categories. Its license and rating system aim to keep racers with similar skill levels together for races, and its Special Event calendar make for several highlights ever year – particularly for team events. Its serious approach, including a system for filing protests, make iRacing the place to be for many, including real-world pro racers like Max Verstappen.
The big downside, however, is of a financial nature. You cannot buy iRacing like the previous sims mentioned, and instead, you are charged a monthly or yearly membership fee, and a limited selection of base content aside, you also need to buy cars and tracks. If your membership runs out, you cannot access the content you bought until you renew it.
Pros
- Second-to-none competitive online racing system
- Covers numerous motorsport disciplines, i.e. sportscars, open wheelers, stock cars, dirt tracks, and more
- Excellent Special Events calendar mirroring real-life events
- Generally high level of quality across all content pieces
- Continuous development constantly improves the sim and adds new content
- Easy on hardware
- Very good singleplayer AI
Cons
- Expensive due to subscription and content cost
- Cannot run the sim once your subscription runs out
- License system can be frustrating if you get stuck in a license class that does not allow you to drive certain content
Who is it for: Those who look for online competition across a wide variety of disciplines, as well as those who love team-based endurance events.
Image: Motorsport Games / Studio 397
Le Mans Ultimate
LMU is a bit of a curious case: Changed from full release to Early Access at the last minute in February 2024, the official WEC game (PC only, but console versions are planned) has had its problems at launch, but has since been worked on and improved constantly. As of March 2025, only two LMGT3 cars and the Lusail International circuit are missing to complete the 2024 season content.
Most importantly, however, you will not find a more extensive roster of Hypercars anywhere else, and they are all modeled accurately and feel extremely detailed when driving, like all other cars in the sim. This includes the Hypercars’ hybrid systems and the Virtual Energy regulations. However, note that due to the focus on WEC, the track selection is limited to the 11 found on the 2023 and 2024 seasons’ calendars. There are several alternate track layouts available, however.
Online driver swaps are set to come to LMU in May 2025, which would then make proper team-based endurance events possible. In the meantime, you can save your races during pit stops.
Pros
- Most complete and accurate Hypercar roster in sim racing
- Driving physics generally considered to be some of the best on the market
- Still improving, with the v1.0 release planned to happen in 2025 still
- Good multiclass AI
- Appeals to GT3 fans as well as prototype enthusiasts
- Three 2024 cars available as free DLC
- Player base is growing
Cons
- Limited singleplayer modes – only Race Weekend (as of March 2025)
- Purchasing DLC necessary for the majority of the 2024 content, particularly tracks
- Some online functionalities require a subscription (simply racing in hosted sessions or weekly events is possible for free though)
Who is it for: WEC fans, naturally, as well as those who love the LMH/LMDh Hypercar class and want to race as many models as possible, preferably online. Also for fans of GT3 cars, as the LMGT3s in LMU are among the best representations of the class.
RaceRoom
The best part about RaceRoom (PC only) is that you do not have to buy it: In itself, the sim is free to play, with 13 cars and five tracks (including 17 layouts) available as base content. Additional circuits and vehicles need to be purchased, but they are more affordable than in iRacing, for instance – and in comparison to that, no subscription fee is required, either.
The content in RaceRoom is very varied and includes everything from Formula cars to prototypes, GTs and touring cars. The latter are arguably RR‘s strong suit, with several DTM seasons going back as far as 1992 being available. Recently, developer KW Studios has also started dabbling with historic tracks to match the classic content.
Furthermore, it looks like RaceRoom is on a path to diversify its lineup even more, having added drift content, head-to-head races à la Race of Champions, and even a hillclimb track. The sim’s age means it has a few drawbacks, such as the lack of a dynamic day-night cycle or the absence of rain, but this might change soon with the planned switch to the DirectX 12 runtime.
Pros
- Big variety in content, including cars and tracks not found in any other sims
- Good performance even on older systems
- Free to play with included base content
- Competition system
- Developers have started modernization efforts in 2024 already, with good results
- Great choice for touring car fans of past and present series
- Excellent in-car sound design
Cons
- Most of the content has to be bough individually (although packs offer discounts of up to 93%)
- No rain
- No day-night cycle
- No online driver swaps
- Not as visually appealing as more modern sims (but improving in this regard)
Who is it for: Anyone trying to dip their toes into the sim racing waters to decide if they might like the genre thanks to the free-to-play approach. Fans of touring cars and series like DTM and ADAC GT Masters, plus oddballs like electric race cars or racing trucks.
Image: Competition Company
Rennsport
Like with RaceRoom, there is no need to actually buy Rennsport as the sim is free. The Early Access title debuted as the platform for the R1 esports competition before even being available to the public, which many sim racers did not appreciate.
Many feared it would be yet another GT3-based sim, and while that class makes up a good chunk of its car list, there is more to it LMDh Hypercars, TCR cars, the small Praga R1 prototype and the Porsche Mission R can also be found. The track list features well-known venues like Monza, Spa, Road Atlanta or the Nürburgring, as well as the Orchard Road Street Circuit (originally a community project) and the Goodwood Hillclimb.
Overall, Rennsport does not have too much too offer yet, but with its full release planned for 2025 (including on consoles), this might soon change. Mods are supposed to be supported in the future, so there should be a good amount of content available eventually.
Pros
- Good visuals thanks to Unreal Engine 5
- Free to play
- Both “standard” and less common tracks, including a few community circuits
- Planned to eventually release on consoles as well, including crossplay
Cons
- Players get a starter car to pick and the BMW M2 CS Racing for free, the rest need to be unlocked or bought (although there is a rotating selection of cars to race for free in online events)
- Digital ownership (cars have a unique eVIN) might be off-putting to some
- Paid Rennsport Founders Packs (includes in-game content) are fairly expensive
- No singleplayer AI
- No car setups (yet)
- Some PCs might struggle for performance
- No triple screen support
Who is it for: Those who want to follow and contribute to the development of an upcoming sim by testing things early and giving feedback. Those who want to see how Unreal Engine 5 works with racing simulators. Multiplayer racers.
Image: Motorsport Games / Studio 397
rFactor 2
Another comparative oldie on our list but still very much relevant today, rFactor 2 offers driving physics and Force Feedback that is lauded by many sim racers. Originally developed by Image Space Incorporated but since transferred to Studio 397 (the devs behind Le Mans Ultimate), it is relatively bare in its base form, but that does not have to stay that way – plenty of DLC covering series like BTCC, Formula E or IndyCar is available, as well as a number of popular tracks.
Depending on what you prefer to race, buying said DLC can become a bit pricy quite quickly, but there is a vast pool of content available for rF2 in the shape of mods as well. Most can be found in the Steam Workshop, and there are some real gems in there – but also some that are based on much older versions of the sim that will not work anymore, or others that are simply subpar, a risk you always encounter when looking for mods.
While somewhat complicated to set up, the driving experience in rFactor 2 is still fantastic in 2025. The sim also covers oval racing well, so fans of this discipline should have a good time in rF2 as well. However, with developer Studio 397 focused on Le Mans Ultimate, do not expect any further big updates.
Pros
- Physics engine & Force Feedback
- Dynamic track evolution for grip, dry lines, etc.
- Great amount of content via DLC & mods
- Versatility – can run endurance events with driver changes, sprints, oval races…
- Very good singleplayer racing AI
Cons
- Can be complicated to set up
- Steam Workshop system for mods can be confusing at first
- At the end of its life cycle
- Buying DLC can become pricy quite quickly
Who is it for: Sim racers who have a bit of experience with tinkering with sims. Those looking for an excellent driving feel in official content (as well as well-made mods). Those who enjoy finding and trying good mods to add more content.
Image: Straight4 Studios
One title that is not on our list but that sim racers are curious about is Project Motor Racing. The upcoming sim by Straight4 Studios is not publicly available yet, but does sound promising already. Particularly with its content selection focusing on the 2004 and 2005 FIA GT seasons, it looks set to offer something different from most other titles.
Once more information and a public version are available, we will add an entry to our list!
Did you find the list of racing games and sims in 2025 helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
Nota: El contenido ha sido traducido por Google Translate, por lo que algunos términos pueden ser imprecisos
Fuente: https://www.overtake.gg/news/sim-racing-buyers-guide-which-title-could-be-your-next-pick.3019/