Best Sim Racing Games in 2026: iRacing, ACC, Le Mans Ultimate, F1 and Which Has the Best AI
ProSimHQ
The best sim racing games in 2026 depend on where and how you race. In ProSimHQ's view, iRacing suits structured online competition on PC, Assetto Corsa Competizione and Le Mans Ultimate suit GT and endurance fans, and Gran Turismo 7 and F1 25 are the main console options. For offline AI racing, compare each game's published AI controls.
Published: 2026-10-19 | Reading time: Approximately 10 minutes | Release status checked: October 19, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Platform decides most of the shortlist. iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2 and Assetto Corsa EVO are PC titles; Gran Turismo 7 is PlayStation-only.
- iRacing is the only game here sold as a subscription (GT7 online play also needs PS Plus). The others are one-time purchases, most with paid DLC packs.
- "Best AI" is not something any publisher measures. What you can compare is whether offline AI racing exists, and which difficulty and behaviour controls each developer publishes.
- Assetto Corsa EVO was still in Early Access (version 0.9) when we checked, with no 1.0 date announced by its developer.
What Is Sim Racing?
Sim racing is driving a racing simulator, meaning software that models real vehicle physics, tyres and circuits closely enough that real-world driving technique carries over. It is usually played with a force-feedback wheel and pedals rather than a gamepad.
Force feedback is the resistance a wheel motor produces to tell you what the front tyres are doing. What separates a sim from an arcade racer is priority: physics fidelity, licensed series and competition structure over spectacle.
Starting from zero? Our beginner sim racing setup guide covers the hardware. This guide covers the software, which shapes what hardware makes sense.
Sim Racing Games Compared: Platform, Focus and Cost Model
From each publisher's own store or product page, checked October 19, 2026.
| Game | Developer | Platforms (as published) | Focus | Cost model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iRacing | iRacing | PC, Windows 11 64-bit (Mac and Linux not supported) | Online racing with skill and safety ratings | Subscription; only a set of cars and tracks included |
| Assetto Corsa Competizione | Kunos Simulazioni | PC; PS5 and Xbox Series X|S with crossplay between those consoles | Official GT World Challenge game | One-time purchase plus DLC packs |
| Assetto Corsa EVO | Kunos Simulazioni | PC (Windows 10/11) | Road and race cars; Early Access | One-time purchase; Kunos says the price may rise |
| Le Mans Ultimate | Studio 397 | PC (Windows 10/11) | Official FIA WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans game | One-time purchase plus expansion packs |
| EA SPORTS F1 25 | Codemasters / EA | PC, PlayStation, Xbox | Official Formula 1; 2026 season via a Season Pack | One-time purchase; 2026 Season Pack add-on or Season Edition bundle |
| rFactor 2 | Studio 397 | PC (Windows) | Open platform, configurable AI | One-time purchase plus DLC |
| Automobilista 2 | Reiza Studios | PC (Windows; SteamOS + Linux listed) | Broad car and championship mix | One-time purchase plus DLC packs |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Polyphony Digital | PS5 and PS4; PS VR2 supported | Car culture plus online Sport mode | One-time purchase; PS Plus required for online play |
| Forza Motorsport | Turn 10 | Xbox Series X|S and PC (cross-save) | Career and race-weekend multiplayer | One-time purchase; see the support note below |
What Is the Best Racing Simulator Game on PC?
The best racing simulator game on PC is the one built around the racing you want to do; the PC titles specialise.
iRacing: organised online competition
iRacing is a subscription service. As listed on iRacing's membership page in October 2026, the regular price is $14.75 for one month or $124.50 for a year, with new members offered 30% off. Membership includes 32 cars and 29 tracks; the service lists over 180 cars and 150 tracks in total. Official races feed iRating, a per-category skill rating that only official races affect.
Assetto Corsa Competizione: GT3 and GT4 depth
ACC is the official GT World Challenge game, with Career, Championship and Free Play modes, adjustable AI difficulty, and 24-hour races. Unlike the other dedicated PC sims here, it also runs on current consoles.
Le Mans Ultimate: endurance and prototypes
Le Mans Ultimate left Early Access on July 22, 2025. It is the official FIA World Endurance Championship game, with a configurable Race Weekend mode and ranked events that build Driver and Safety rankings.
Assetto Corsa EVO: promising, not finished
Assetto Corsa EVO entered Early Access on January 16, 2025. Its Steam page shows version 0.9, which added online Special Events, and still carries the developer's original aim of a 1.0 release within a year of Early Access starting. That window has passed with no 1.0 date announced as of October 19, 2026.
rFactor 2 and Automobilista 2: the configurable veterans
rFactor 2 (released 2013) lets you define AI opponent strength and aggression and add AI to multiplayer races. Automobilista 2 (2020) offers championship and custom seasons, and its Steam page also lists SteamOS and Linux.
iRacing vs ACC: Which Should You Start With?
Choose iRacing for scheduled, rated online racing across many categories; choose ACC for deep GT racing offline or on console.
| iRacing | Assetto Corsa Competizione | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Recurring subscription; membership includes 32 cars and 29 tracks of a larger catalog | Pay once; optional DLC packs |
| Car variety | Multiple racing categories, each with its own iRating | GT World Challenge classes, plus GT2 and GT4 via DLC |
| Offline AI | Yes, with limited car and track AI compatibility | Yes, with adjustable difficulty across Career, Championship and Free Play |
| Platforms | PC only | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Online structure | Official races with iRating and Safety Rating | Multiplayer and Open Series modes |
ProSimHQ's view: an iRacing year is an ongoing cost, and the content you want may not be in the included set. ACC costs less over time if GT racing is all you need. Budget software alongside hardware — our sim racing setup cost breakdown covers the rest.
What Racing Sim Has the Best AI?
No publisher measures "best AI", so the honest comparison is whether offline AI racing exists and which controls each developer documents.
| Game | Offline AI racing | What the developer publishes about its AI |
|---|---|---|
| iRacing | Yes: single races and AI seasons | Fixed skill ranges, Adaptive AI (Low, Medium or High challenge), "Avoid Me" and custom rosters. iRacing calls its AI a soft launch with limited car and track compatibility. AI races do not affect iRating or Safety Rating |
| rFactor 2 | Yes | AI opponent types, strength and aggression are configurable, and AI can be added to multiplayer |
| ACC | Yes | AI opponent difficulty adjustable to your ability, including in 24-hour races |
| Assetto Corsa EVO | Yes (Early Access) | A custom AI opponent generation page; AI behaviour varies with difficulty |
| Le Mans Ultimate | Yes: Race Weekend mode | Describes "formidable AI opponents"; no further detail on its store page |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Yes: solo campaign | Gran Turismo Sophy, built by Sony AI with Polyphony Digital. Sophy 3.0 is listed in the paid Power Pack, PS5 only |
| F1 25 | Yes: Career and My Team | A co-op mode where a squad races AI drivers; EA's store pages do not detail AI settings |
| Forza Motorsport | Yes: Builders Cup career | Described as its "most advanced AI opponents yet" |
ProSimHQ's view, from published controls rather than testing: if offline racing against AI is your main use, rFactor 2 and ACC document the most direct control over AI strength and difficulty, and ACC adds full race formats including 24-hour events.
iRacing's adaptive AI is useful, but check its AI support lists before buying content for it. On PlayStation, Gran Turismo Sophy is notable, but Sony lists Sophy 3.0 in a paid add-on.
Console Sim Racing Games: GT7, F1 25 and Forza Motorsport
On console, the shortlist is Gran Turismo 7 (PlayStation), F1 25 (PlayStation or Xbox), ACC (PS5 or Xbox Series X|S) and Forza Motorsport (Xbox).
Gran Turismo 7 runs on PS4 and PS5 and supports PS VR2. Its Sport mode runs daily online races. Sony's GT7 page notes that an internet connection is required for most functionality and PS Plus is required for online play — a recurring cost to budget for.
F1 25 handles 2026 through an add-on: the 2026 Season Pack adds Audi, Cadillac, the MADRING circuit and 2026 cars with active aerodynamics. EA notes that custom teams and career saves from the 2025 season do not carry over.
Forza Motorsport has a Builders Cup career and race-weekend-style Featured Multiplayer. In its 2025 Forza Year in Review on forza.net, Turn 10 said it does not plan to introduce new cars, tracks, features or regular bug fixes for Forza Motorsport in 2026, while keeping online servers active, hosting special events and bringing back past Featured Tours monthly. Weigh that before committing to it long term.
Which Wheel Works with Which Game?
A wheel works with a game only when the platform and title are both supported, and the wheel maker is the authority on that. Most of these games state wheel support: ACC covers "gamepads to professional steering wheels", Le Mans Ultimate says its force-feedback presets were developed with equipment manufacturers, and Assetto Corsa EVO's 0.9 notes name Fanatec, Logitech and Thrustmaster hardware and Logitech TRUEFORCE.
Platform is the harder constraint: Logitech sells the G29 for PlayStation and PC and the G920 for Xbox and PC. Our guide to PS5, Xbox and PC racing wheel compatibility goes through this in detail.
Once connected, in-game settings matter as much as hardware; see our force feedback settings guide.
Racing Wheel Systems at ProSimHQ
Three systems matched to the platform splits above; platform notes are the manufacturers' own.
- Thrustmaster T248R Racing Wheel & Pedal Set – PlayStation & PC — an entry system for PlayStation or PC racers. Thrustmaster lists PC, PS4 and PS5 for it and rates its T-HD hybrid drive at 3.1 N·m.
- Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel & Pedal Set – Xbox & PC — the Xbox-side entry system. Thrustmaster describes this version as officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One and compatible with PC.
- Thrustmaster T598 Direct Drive Racing Wheel & Pedals for PlayStation & PC — a direct-drive system (the motor turns the wheel shaft directly, with no gears or belt) rated by Thrustmaster at 5 Nm constant torque with +100% overshoot. Thrustmaster lists PC, PS4 and PS5 for this version, publishes GT7 force-feedback profiles for it, and sells a separate T598 (Xbox / PC) version.
Common Mistakes
- Buying the wheel before choosing the platform. Console wheels are platform-specific.
- Buying Early Access software for a roadmap. Assetto Corsa EVO's own 1.0 target has already slipped.
- Assuming console online is free. Sony states PS Plus is required for GT7 online play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What racing sim has the best AI?
No publisher measures that, so compare published controls. rFactor 2 lets you set AI strength and aggression and add AI to multiplayer. ACC offers adjustable AI difficulty across Career, Championship and Free Play, including 24-hour races. iRacing has adaptive AI but describes limited car and track coverage. In ProSimHQ's view, rFactor 2 and ACC give offline racers the most direct control.
What is sim racing?
Sim racing is driving a racing simulator: software that models vehicle physics, tyres and real circuits closely enough that real-world technique carries over. It is usually played with a force-feedback wheel and pedals rather than a gamepad, and dedicated titles such as iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione and Le Mans Ultimate focus on realism and organised competition over arcade spectacle.
What is the best racing simulator game on PC?
It depends on the racing you want. iRacing suits scheduled, rated online competition across many categories and is subscription-based. Assetto Corsa Competizione is the official GT World Challenge game. Le Mans Ultimate is the official FIA World Endurance Championship game. rFactor 2 and Automobilista 2 are one-time purchases with configurable offline racing. Assetto Corsa EVO remained in Early Access in October 2026.
Is iRacing or ACC better for beginners?
ACC is the lower-commitment start: you pay once, race AI offline at adjustable difficulty, and it also runs on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. iRacing suits beginners who want structured online racing, with a per-category iRating. It is a recurring subscription and PC-only, and membership includes only part of its car and track catalog.
Can you play iRacing on PS5 or Xbox?
No. iRacing's published system requirements list Windows 11 64-bit as the supported operating system and state that Mac OS, Linux and virtual machines are not supported. Consoles are not mentioned. Console players looking for a dedicated sim should look at Assetto Corsa Competizione on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S, or Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation.
Build Around the Game You Will Actually Play
Tell us which titles and which platform you race on, and we will help you choose a wheel and pedal system the manufacturer supports for that setup — including when an entry system is the right answer. Talk to us before you buy.
Complete Racing Wheel Systems Contact ProSimHQSources and Further Reading
ProSimHQ Editorial Note
ProSimHQ is an independent retailer of simulation equipment. Game details come from publishers' and manufacturers' own pages, checked October 19, 2026, not our testing. Prices, platforms and release status change — check on the day you buy.