- Primary Subject: Euro Truck Simulator 2 versus American Truck Simulator
- Key Update: Both simulators have entered the version 1.58 open beta, introducing a Driving Academy module for double trailer handling and a complete user interface overhaul.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 8, 2026
- Quick Answer: The choice between these two simulators in 2026 depends on whether you prefer technical European cabover driving or long-distance cruising across American highways.
As someone who has sunk hundreds of hours into Euro Truck Simulator 2 since 2019, ETS2 is my home base. It was my comfort game during the pandemic.
That bias matters, so I should put it up front. American Truck Simulator has been sitting on my hard drive for years, too, and picking between them comes down to personal preference.
Both games share the same engine and studio. On paper, they are almost twins. In reality, they feel very different. The choice in 2026 comes down to what kind of roads you want under your wheels and which trucks you like.
Scenery and Sense of Place
Scenery is where my ETS2 bias shows. With all the major map expansions, Europe feels like a patchwork of distinct identities. Crossing from Germany into Switzerland, then down into Italy or the Balkans, each country has its own road furniture, color palette, and architecture. The denser road network means there is usually another interesting route only a turn away.
American Truck Simulator leans into big skies, long horizons, and empty highway stretches. Driving across New Mexico at sunset or through the Rockies can be stunning. Individual states often look better than older ETS2 parts because they were built with newer mapping standards. Where ETS2 gives you variety in a tighter space, ATS gives you breathing room.
For me, Europe's variety wins by a small margin. Someone who grew up with American landscapes might feel the opposite.
Truck Roster and Driving Style
If you like European cabovers, ETS2 is the natural fit. The official roster covers a wide range of European brands with plenty of tuning options and cosmetic packs. The driving is shaped by European infrastructure: roundabouts, tight depots, narrow village roads, and serious elevation changes in the Alps. This creates a more technical driving style.
ATS caters to players who love long-nose American rigs. The trucks feel larger, especially when reversing, and that difference changes the tone of a session. American city layouts tend to be wider with more forgiving junctions, and the interstates invite cruise control and long, steady runs.
The two games handle very similarly since most physics changes arrive in both. The deciding factor is whether you prefer European cabovers or classic American bonnets.
DLCs and Ongoing Support
By 2026, both games have grown far beyond their original maps. ETS2 has a huge DLC list with expansions across Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and beyond, plus cargo packs, trailer packs, and seasonal cosmetics. The DLC tab can be daunting, though sales help.
ATS has fewer state DLCs since each state takes time to build. The upside is that ATS map quality is very high with handcrafted details. The downside is that even in 2026, the coverage does not match what ETS2 offers across Europe.
ETS2 gives you a bigger playground if you invest in multiple DLCs. ATS feels more curated, though the content pool is shallower.
The Scale Issue
The topic of scale always comes up with ATS. The game runs at roughly 1:20 outside cities, while ETS2 uses about 1:19. On paper, that sounds nearly identical. In practice, the compression hurts ATS more because of how the United States is laid out, especially toward the Midwest and the East Coast.
Out West, there is room to hide the cuts. Desert stretches feel believable even when compressed. Once you move into smaller, denser states, it becomes harder to give every city and landmark space to breathe. Certain drives can turn entire states into short hops, and locals notice when familiar routes are pulled too tight.
ETS2 benefits from how Europe is carved up. Countries are already smaller, and the game can cheat with borders without destroying the illusion. If convincing distance matters to you, the scale problem in ATS is worth considering.
Everyday Experience
Day to day, ETS2 feels busier. The denser road grid and landscape variety make even short jobs feel different. There are huge map overhauls, realism tweaks, and truck packs that can keep veteran players hooked. That richness helped carry me through the pandemic when "just one more delivery" turned into long virtual nights.
ATS sessions feel calmer. Many jobs turn into meditative highway cruises with occasional challenges in big cities or tricky depots. The mod scene is smaller but still strong, with standout projects that add Mexico or Canada. For some players, that quieter loop is exactly what they want at the end of a long day.
So, Which Is Better in 2026?
Picking a winner still feels wrong. They share a backbone but scratch different itches. ETS2 offers variety, density, and a mature ecosystem of DLC and mods. ATS offers detailed states, iconic trucks, and that wide-open American road vibe, even if the map scale pinches it in places.
I keep going back to ETS2. It has been my main sim since 2019; it helped me through lockdowns, and I am more attached to its version of Europe. When I want a long, relaxed haul under a big Western sky, though, ATS is what I launch.
For a new player in 2026, the better game matches are where you want to drive. If your dream route runs through the Alps in a European cabover, ETS2 will feel like home. If you picture yourself rolling a Kenworth across the desert, ATS will click harder. Both are strong enough now that whichever you pick, the road ahead is worth the trip.
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