iRacing Vs rFactor 2: What’s Better in 2023?

iRacing vs rFactor 2
Author Alessio Lorandi
Alessio Lorandi
December 13, 2021

Choosing the best sim racing software from the options available sometimes can be quite challenging.

With the numerous options available in the market, it is often difficult to choose which one ocean is going to be the better one for you.

In case you are confused about which is best suited to you between iRacing and rFactor 2, you have come to the right place.

In looking at these emotions, we seek to guide you on which of these two racing software’s would suit your needs more by factoring in other factors such as.

  • Realism
  • Number of cars and tracks available
  • Graphics
  • Platform (PC, Xbox, Playstation)
  • Real life tracks
  • Multiplayer mode

So let’s now move on to the details and if you will surely be satisfied after reading this comprehensive comparison, feel free to return the camera.

How realistic is it to drive?

Outside of RFactor, iRacing is among the most actively marketed brands in the online racing hardware industry.

IRating, which came out in 2008, Worldwide is always known for giving any kind of racer the most life-like driving experiences ever possible.

One of their features that stood out to me was the technicality and the skill that is needed to drive a car in iRacing which many real world drivers have mentioned is very close to driving real race cars.

After all, iRacing is a very well liked racing simulator as for branched real racers which don’t miss the chance to sharpen their skills somewhere else other than the racing track.

How realistic is it to drive?

rFactor 2 was developed after the release of iRacing, yet it is one of the most realistic simulations available today.

In fact, as far as these aspects like graphics, sound or the level of technology in question, one may safely assert that rFactor 2 is more or less good enough to compete with some of the finest sim racing softwares ever produced.

The one thing that comes to our mind with rFactor 2 which we liked is the AI which is quite exceptional.

How does an AI affect your overall sim racing experience?

Well, AI is about how other cars will progress in relation to your skill level but it is also how they can use a strategy or some tech manoeuvres during games when you are out of the picture.

With such amazing AI that you can find in rFactor 2, one can certainly hope for a most immersive and thrilling racing experience which is unparalleled in any other sim racing softwares available in the market!

Variety of cars and tracks

There are around 100 potential cars for iRacing users to choose from. Even though not all can be utilized without cost, they certainly achieved a good balance in the following genres:

  • Nascar
  • Gt3
  • Formula cars
  • Open Wheel
  • Prototype
  • Indycars

The car is chosen and then, the racing of real-life cars in more than 100 tracks ranging from the historical, to the imaginary is on race. The geographical features of these climes include up to 350 different layouts and configurations of these tracks.

rFactor2, on the other hand, has lesser options in terms of cars compared to the rest with 71 sims cars that are made of both replicas and make believe cars that are from actual racing vehicles. While it does have less options for cars, rFactor 2 features up to 228 tracks with 430 layouts for users to race.

Graphics quality

Rather, at one point in time, graphic quality was perhaps the last consideration a simulation racer cares about after the likes of car handling, force feedback, even sound quality.

Nonetheless, the surfacing of such phenomenal softwares is an asset in every racer’s toolbox as their features such as impressing graphic scenes enhances ones racing experience.

Presently, it is very hard to look for a new meaning or a new rise in the interest of the racing simulation without graphic quality these days.

It would seem that riding on board the iRacing and looking at the screen makes an impression of physically riding on a racing car, particularly in the case of using VR.

Graphics quality

At the forefront of racing simulation offering the finest graphic quality is none other than iRacing.

Furthermore, fans will also find inclusivity of some of the best graphic elements considering the complete racing setting inclusive of dota 2 hordes.

On the contrary, rFactor 2 such detail is not what you hear most of the time especially for the graphical praises in the game.

But unfortunately, rFactor 2 does not only provide such static flattery as the graphics objects but there is an excellent level of water in this case, thus improving gameplay design as well.

We specially appreciate how graphics were made for example in racing against different weather conditions which is totally realistic and takes you to a different edge in racing with this simulation.

Car handling

Car handling differs greatly between these two software products, but in short, we have to state that both software provides a car handling which is very much realistic.

With racing in iRacing, you know what you will get, an ultra realistic car handling which may be extremely hard for beginners to get accustomed to.

Once you are able to get accustomed to the controls, the level of car handling in iRacing is what makes iRacing great, and actually, a better experience.

Car handling

On the other hand, the level of car handling in rFactor 2 is highly notch and forgiving for older and newer sim racers alike. While being significantly easier to acclimate to, rFactor 2 still manages to be extremely sim-centric, and has some of the best force feedback systems there is.

Compatibility (PC, Xbox, Playstation)

In the case of both titles, the only available platform is a PC.

While it is a shame for console owners, the truth of the matter is that the reason why both games are available on only PC is that the PC can run both of these simulations at a far better level.

As has been stated above, the imolation twain simulator games is often available only on pc and race cp allows even young driver to world of fleddryamstill most clear solution therefore most active users do not in any way find such restrictions.

The upside is that expensive PCs or systems with high performing hardware are not required to enjoy either simulation. In fact, you can have a fair enough experience racing with PCs with only 3-4 GB of Performance Memory.

FOV (Field of view)

The FOV (Field of View) feature in both iRacing and rFactor 2 is similar to what one would see in the best racing simulation systems available today. On the whole, there is nothing that we can grumble over, the FOV is quite satisfying, especially when you race in VR.

If you have any problem with the FOV in either simulation, you can always modify the FOV to your liking in the settings menu.

Are tracks laser scanned?

Laser scanned tracks are one of the selling points most sim racers look for when shopping for the best racing simulator.

What it does is that it ensures that a careful consideration is made on every detail particularly the layout of the replica of an actual racing track.

Laser scanning is common among the majority of the tracks in iRacing and some of the tracks in rFactor 2. The only non-laser scanned ones are these historical places and some of the fictional tracks in both games.

Are tracks laser scanned?

Online multiplayer

In iRacing, the majority of the simulation is focused on its elaborate multiplayer mode.

In this, you will be able to take part in events and racing leagues of the level of racers of your skills.

It likewise operates a licensing system, which has allowed a lot of racers to have a goal in mind and improve the racing experience greatly.

rFactor 2 is no different, it has an elaborate structure for online multipalyer, where you make rooms that are open to your friends and race them.

Also, if you are getting bored and want something more competitive, you can join and race in online events.

Force Feedback (FFB)

Force Feedback is one of the most vital options that will alter the whole racing surrounding that you are use to.

Having reviewed both simulations, we can conclude that the force feedback on iRacing and rfactor 2 is very well done.

The great thing about I racing is you know when your car has to make the maneuvers, it can be done in a certain time and with a certain accuracy, which can be really relied on.

If you’re making comparisons with rFactor 2, you are going to understand that the force feedback effects offered by rFactor 2 tend to be quite smooth and lower in comparison to some other softwares like iRacing.

Force Feedback (FFB)

All in all, you are always at liberty to make the adjustments to the force feedback strength in the options menu of both games as you please.

Prices and Download

Check out the table below for the best deals in iRacing:

Period

Price

1 Month

$12.99

1 Month (yearly plan) $8.29

1 Year

$99.00

2 Years (best deal)

$199

https://www.iracing.com/membership/

rFactor 2 relies on a different model as iRacing and you can have permanent access after downloading from the following link for just $31.99.

Time to wrap up:

So let’s get straight to the point – who is better?

In my humble opinion, the iRacing which is a racing simulation game is the best option with no competition.

It has better graphics, better force feedback, better multiplayer and track selection along with iRating and Safety rating systems built in.

It also has many different cars that are able to be used on many different kinds of tracks.

However, it is important to note that rFactor 2 should be given a lot of consideration as it can also be very good.

Nevertheless, it still provides the players with a good sim racing feeling through its realistic physics and realistic modelling of the cars with good sound.

Also, it has the benefit of being cheaper than iRacing because there’s no need to pay for a monthly or annual subscription.

So, one can just pay for rFactor 2 and forget about it.

Content packs nonetheless can be purchased whenever you feel like.

Well, at the end of the day, it is all about what you expect in a racing simulation.

Those both should be very high quality racing simulator options if not the best together with Assetto corsa and ACC.

We hope that you were able to learn something from this article.

You’ve come to an ultimate question now; which one is the best? It really depends on what you’re preference.

In any case, good luck in your racing – as usual 🙂

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About the autor

Alessio Lorandi

Alessio has been involved at the highest levels in racing since the age of 5 (2003). He won a CIK-FIA World Championship in 2013 and then raced in F3, F2, and finally GT3s before now dedicating himself to SOLOX. He’s now on a mission to help thousands of sim racers around the world achieve their fullest potential through his ACC setups.

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