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SimplePlanes VR: Quest and PC VR guide

Short answer: SimplePlanes VR is a separate, VR-only flight simulator from Jundroo. The confirmed editions are a native Meta Quest app and a PC VR version on Steam. Quest can run it without a gaming PC; the Steam edition needs a Windows PC and SteamVR or OpenXR. Last checked October 11, 2026.

Which edition should you get?

The official Meta listing identifies SimplePlanes VR as a Meta Quest title and lists support for Meta Quest, Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3 and Quest 3S. It is a native standalone app: Meta lists the app's space requirement as 417.61 MB, a sitting play mode, controller support and an internet connection requirement. Those details make the Quest store edition the straightforward choice if you want to fly from the headset alone.

The other edition is the Steam release. It is marked “VR Only,” supports tracked controllers, and lists SteamVR or OpenXR as its VR runtime. This is PC VR, not a native Quest install. A Quest owner can reach it by using a PC VR streaming method such as Link, Air Link or Steam Link, but the game still runs on the PC and the Steam copy is the one being launched.

Jundroo's developer announcement describes the two routes directly: Quest for a headset that runs the game itself, and Steam for a headset that plugs into a PC. It also confirms that SimplePlanes VR is a standalone game rather than DLC that requires the original SimplePlanes.

What you actually do in VR

This is a piloting and exploration game built around downloaded creations, not an aircraft-construction tool. Meta describes airplanes, helicopters, cars, boats and other craft, with multiple islands and airports, racing courses and challenges. The Steam page adds examples such as carrier landings, bomber escorts and surface-to-air-missile runs, alongside a sandbox mode.

Aircraft with an immersive cockpit expose virtual controls that you can reach for and grab. The developer says that craft without such a cockpit remain flyable using first- or third-person camera views and the physical VR controllers. On PC, a joystick can also be used when connected to the computer. The Meta listing specifically names chase, orbit and fly-by camera modes for craft without a fully immersive cockpit.

The flight model is more than a sightseeing demo: Steam says weight distribution, thrust, lift and drag are calculated continuously, and parts can break away from overstress or impacts. Downloaded craft can therefore behave very differently. The official store description says more than 100,000 creations are available from SimplePlanes.com, while also warning that not every craft is optimized for VR or has interactable cockpit controls.

Important limits before installing

No building mode in SPVR. The developer FAQ and both store listings say you cannot build or modify aircraft in SimplePlanes VR. Build them in the original SimplePlanes on desktop or mobile, then use the VR edition to download and fly them.
Do not assume every download is VR-ready. Jundroo says the same craft library is accessible, but older or non-optimized craft may lack usable cockpit interactions. Its store guidance recommends logging in and filtering for VR-designed craft; creators may also provide their own operating instructions.
Do not expect Steam Workshop integration. The Steam listing says SimplePlanes VR does not support Steam Workshop. It can still use the game's modding support, with mods enabled directly in SPVR, and compatibility is not guaranteed for every mod.
Online and multiplayer are not confirmed here. The official Meta page labels the game mode “Single User.” This guide does not treat community requests or reviews as evidence of a multiplayer mode.

PC requirements for the Steam edition

If you choose PC VR, compare your computer with the requirements published on Steam. The listed minimum is 64-bit Windows 7 SP1, an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350, 4 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290, and 750 MB of storage. Steam lists SteamVR or OpenXR for VR support. Its recommended configuration is Windows 10, an Intel Core i5 sixth generation or AMD Ryzen processor, 4 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 1070 and 1 GB of storage. Steam also notes that the Steam Client supports Windows 10 and later from January 1, 2024.

Those are published baselines, not a promise of smooth performance with every community aircraft. Jundroo specifically warns that very large downloaded designs can reduce frame rate and hurt VR performance. VRHow has not independently tested performance or compatibility, so treat the official requirements as a starting check rather than a guarantee.

Practical install choice

Choose the Meta store edition when you want a standalone Quest installation and your headset is among the models listed by Meta.
Choose Steam when you already have a suitable Windows PC and PC VR setup, or when you want to use a PC joystick. Remember that a Quest used with Steam is streaming PC VR; it is not running the Steam build natively.
After installing, sign in to access SimplePlanes.com creations, begin with craft marked or designed for VR, and read any creator instructions before assuming the cockpit controls work like a conventional aircraft.
Choose the original SimplePlanes instead if aircraft construction is the main reason you want the series; SPVR is for flying, challenges and sandbox use.

Sources

Meta Quest Store: SimplePlanes VR — supported Quest platforms, modes, controls, space and internet details.
Steam: SimplePlanes VR — PC VR runtime, features, limitations and Windows system requirements.
Jundroo: SimplePlanes VR announcement and FAQ — official edition distinction, cockpit interaction, joystick support and no-building scope.