Fanatec or Moza. This is one of the most common questions in sim racing today, and for good reason.
These two brands sit directly on top of the modern sim hardware market and dominate everything from entry level direct drive bundles to high performance enthusiast gear. They target the same users, sell similar types of products, and compete head to head on price, features, and performance.
But despite how often they are compared, they are actually very different companies with very different approaches to product development, pricing, and ecosystems. Both have strengths. Both have weaknesses. And which one is better for you depends heavily on what you value most in your sim racing setup.
Having used hardware from both brands extensively across multiple generations of products, I want to break this down in a practical way based on real use, not marketing claims.
Verified purchase options at lowest current prices:
Affiliate disclosure
One of Fanatec’s biggest strengths has always been its ecosystem. They offer one of the widest ranges of compatible hardware under a single brand. Wheelbases, steering wheels, pedals, shifters, handbrakes, hubs, button boxes, cockpits, monitors mounts, and even seats. If you want to build an entire setup from one manufacturer, Fanatec makes that very easy.
They also dominate when it comes to licensed products. Official Formula One wheels, Porsche wheels, BMW wheels, GT3 replicas, and officially branded partnerships with major motorsport manufacturers. If realism and licensing matter to you, Fanatec is still at the top in that category.
Console support is another big advantage for Fanatec. They offer proper native support across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation depending on the wheelbase you choose. This makes them an easy recommendation for anyone who races on console or wants a hybrid setup.
Moza approaches ecosystems differently. They are still PC first at heart, but over the last couple of years they have expanded console support with Xbox compatible products like the R3. Their ecosystem is growing quickly with wheelbases, wheels, pedals, handbrakes, shifters, dashboards, and accessories now covering almost every category a sim racer would need.
While Moza does not yet match Fanatec’s licensing catalog, they have been far more aggressive with hardware expansion speed. New products arrive faster, revisions happen quicker, and entire price brackets are being targeted much more rapidly.
This is where Moza clearly pulls ahead in recent years.
Fanatec laid the foundation for affordable direct drive with products like the CSL DD and GT DD Pro. Those launches changed the market and forced everyone else to follow. But after that initial breakthrough, progress slowed. Product refresh cycles became longer. Shipping delays became common. Communication issues piled up. Innovation stayed steady but conservative.
Moza, on the other hand, entered the space swinging hard. They rolled out the R5, R9, R12, R16, R21, and now even higher end direct drive options at a pace that Fanatec simply has not matched. They aggressively filled price gaps that previously did not exist. They introduced active pedal projects, dashboards, truck wheels, formula rims, budget pedals, hydraulic style pedals, and even motion related concepts.
They also pushed faster with software iteration. Firmware updates, tuning changes, and compatibility improvements have come at a much faster pace, which has helped Moza mature extremely quickly as a brand.
In terms of raw innovation speed, Moza wins decisively right now.
Pricing is one of the biggest reasons Moza has exploded in popularity.
Time and time again, Moza has shown that they are willing to undercut competitors while still delivering very competitive performance. The R5, R9, and R12 are perfect examples of that. Their bundles typically come in cheaper than comparable Fanatec setups while often including stronger motors, cleaner torque delivery, and newer electronics.
Fanatec still offers good value in certain packages, but their pricing structure has become increasingly complex. You often need to factor in separate QR systems, power supplies, shipping fees, and ecosystem compatibility considerations that inflate the final cost beyond the advertised price.
Moza takes a more straightforward approach. Strong base pricing, simpler bundles, and fewer hidden ecosystem costs. For newer sim racers especially, Moza often feels like the more approachable entry point into direct drive.
Both brands build good hardware. There is no question about that. Where they differ is in design philosophy.
Fanatec hardware tends to feel more industrial. Their products often feel heavy, solid, and mechanically dense. Their Porsche wheel, Formula wheels, and Clubsport gear still carry a sense of premium that few brands replicate consistently.
Moza hardware feels more modern. Lighter, cleaner designs, tighter tolerances, and a strong emphasis on visual appeal. Their aluminum housings, RGB elements, and compact motors give their gear a newer generation look and feel.
Force feedback quality between comparable motors is extremely close. In many cases, Moza’s newer motors feel faster and cleaner in response, while Fanatec’s feel slightly heavier and more weighted. This becomes more of a tuning preference than a clear winner.
Pedals are an area where the two brands are very closely matched. Fanatec’s Podium pedals are looking excellent. Moza has improved massively in this area, especially with their newer load cell and hydraulic inspired sets, and their CRP2 pedals are also competitive.
Fanatec software has historically been stable but conservative. It typically works well but without rapid innovation. The tuning menus are functional, familiar, and consistent across generations.
Moza software has evolved rapidly. Early versions had limitations, but recent builds are significantly more advanced. More tuning options, easier profiles, better community sharing, and faster updates. They have clearly invested heavily into catching up and now surpassing older approaches.
One practical difference is that Moza tends to push updates faster in response to user feedback. Fanatec updates feel more methodical and slower.
Fanatec is still the most recognized name in sim racing. Their brand presence in esports, professional motorsport partnerships, and high visibility keeps them firmly established at the top of public awareness.
However, customer support struggles and shipping delays have hurt their reputation over the past couple of years. That is simply a reality many users have experienced.
Moza has benefitted enormously from this shift. Faster shipping, quicker communication, aggressive marketing, and strong community engagement have helped them build momentum very quickly. Their growth over the last three years is undeniable.
Right now, Moza feels like the hungrier company. Fanatec feels like the established giant that is moving more carefully.
Fanatec and Moza are both excellent brands. Neither one is a bad choice. But they appeal to different types of sim racers.
If you value licensed products, console flexibility across all platforms, and a massive well established ecosystem, Fanatec still makes a lot of sense. Their premium wheels, higher end pedals, and long standing reputation still hold weight.
If you value innovation, aggressive pricing, modern hardware design, fast product releases, and strong value for money, Moza is the brand that feels more relevant in 2025. They have pushed the market forward faster over the last few years, and they continue to disrupt pricing structures across every tier.
In general terms, if I had to give one brand the edge right now, I would give it to Moza. Not because Fanatec has fallen off, but because Moza has simply been more aggressive, more innovative, and more relevant in recent years.
The good news is that as long as both brands keep competing this hard, sim racers are the real winners.
Dumb_Cat48 says:
Thanks a lot! This helped me decide what wheel base I was going to get (I’m really bad at making decisions). I’m upgrading from a Logitech g29 so making the right choice to upgrade is everything to me.