Simgrade vs Heusinkveld vs VRS: Which Load Cell Pedals to Choose?

Last updated: October 2026. Canadian prices checked on October 3, 2026.

Shop for a serious load cell pedal set in Canada and two names come up almost every time: Heusinkveld, the Dutch benchmark, and VRS, the American brand from Virtual Racing School. There is a third one, far less known on this side of the Atlantic: Simgrade, a Finnish manufacturer that makes nothing but pedals. Its VX-PRO plays in the same league as the Heusinkveld Sprint and the VRS DirectForce Pro, often for less money.

The comparison table

We compare the models that actually compete with each other: the VX-PRO, the Sprint (not the Ultimate+, a hydraulic set that costs nearly twice as much) and the DirectForce Pro.

Manufacturer data. Canadian-dollar prices checked at Canadian retailers on October 3, 2026, before taxes; they vary by retailer and promotion. *To our knowledge, VRS has no Canadian distributor: official US-dollar prices, converted as a guide only, shipping and brokerage fees extra.

The brake: capacity, feel and adjustment

On a load cell pedal set, the brake is what justifies the purchase. The sensor measures how hard you push, not how far the pedal travels. That is what makes braking repeatable: your leg remembers a pressure far more easily than a position. If this is new to you, our guide load cell, hydraulic or pneumatic pedals explains the difference in detail.

Capacity: a clear edge for the VX-PRO

The VX-PRO uses a 200 kg load cell and is rated for about 90 kg of foot force at its firmest setting. The Sprint uses a 120 kg load cell for about 65 kg at the foot; the DirectForce Pro a 140 kg load cell. In practice, that means two things:

• More headroom. A driver who brakes hard, or who wants a very stiff brake like a real GT3 car, will not max out the sensor.
• More usable range. The wider the force range, the wider the window where you modulate trail braking on corner entry.

Feel: three different philosophies

Each brand builds brake resistance its own way.

• Simgrade uses a Dual Stage system: a softer first phase that mimics the pads biting, then a firm phase where force rises quickly. Four mechanical configurations change the progression. The Brake Kit V1 widens the range further with two springs and new mounting plates.
• Heusinkveld relies on an elastomer stack and spring preload. It is a well-known approach, with plenty of community feedback to guide your setup.
• VRS uses coil springs only, with no elastomers. The upside: nothing compresses or ages over time. The trade-off: a more linear feel, less like the pressure build-up of a real braking system.

There is no single “best” feel: it comes down to preference. What sets the VX-PRO apart is that it offers the most mechanical adjustment out of the box to find yours, without buying extra parts.

Throttle and clutch

It gets less attention, but the throttle matters as much as the brake on corner exit, especially in cars without traction control. The VX-PRO puts a load cell on all three pedals, like the Sprint. Its travel is adjustable mechanically, with three progression settings. The VRS throttle uses an adjustable spring up to 8.4 kg and is known for its smoothness.

On the clutch, the VX-PRO stands out with two included profile plates that change the pedal feel: a more race-like bite, or something closer to a road car. Useful for rally, drifting, H-pattern shifting and standing starts. All three brands sell the clutch separately, so you can start with two pedals and add it later. At Simgrade, it costs CA$259.

Build, software and mounting

All three are built to last: laser-cut stainless steel at Heusinkveld and VRS, a rigid structure at Simgrade. The VX-PRO pivots on sealed stainless steel ball bearings, with no side play. A practical detail: its springs follow the ISO 10243 industrial standard, so replacement springs or different stiffnesses are easy to find, without relying on a proprietary part.

On the software side, all three cover the essentials: deadzones, response curves, calibration. Heusinkveld's SmartControl is the most mature of the three, refined over many years of updates. Simgrade's software adds saved profiles, handy when switching from a GT3 car to a rally car. VRS's software is described as fairly basic in published reviews.

Finally, a load cell pedal set only performs at its best on a rigid mount. At 90 kg of force, a mount that flexes throws away the precision you just paid for. All three bolt to the pedal plate of a cockpit, ideally an aluminium profile rig. See our guide to choosing a cockpit.

The real price in Canada

This is where the gap opens up, especially for the 2-pedal set, the most popular configuration.

• Simgrade VX-PRO, 2 pedals: CA$675. Priced in Canadian dollars and shipped from Canada.
• Heusinkveld Sprint, 2 pedals: about CA$1,000 at Canadian retailers, roughly CA$325 more.
• VRS DirectForce Pro, 2 pedals: US$649, about CA$890 at the current exchange rate, before cross-border shipping and possible brokerage fees.

For 3 pedals, to be fair, the gap narrows. The full Sprint set sells for CA$881 to CA$1,150 depending on the retailer and promotions, versus CA$899 for the VX-PRO. At a comparable price, the VX-PRO keeps the edge with its stronger brake, the Dual Stage system and one extra year of warranty. The VRS goes past CA$1,200 once converted.

What Heusinkveld and VRS do better

A comparison that finds no flaw in the product it sells is useless to you. Here is what the other two do better than the VX-PRO.

Heusinkveld Sprint

• Reputation. Heusinkveld has been a benchmark for over a decade, used by real-world drivers and in esports. You will find hundreds of reviews and setup guides.
• Resale value. A used Sprint sells easily. Simgrade, still little known in North America, will have a smaller second-hand market.
• Ecosystem. Handbrake, sequential shifter, and the hydraulic Ultimate+ if you want to move up later.
• SmartControl, mature and well-documented software.

VRS DirectForce Pro

• Long-term consistency from the spring-only brake: no elastomers to replace.
• The VRS ecosystem, a plus if you already drive on a DirectForce Pro wheelbase.
• A very rigid all-stainless build, praised in reviews.

As for Simgrade, keep in mind it is a specialist brand: it only makes pedals. You will not get a wheel or a wheelbase from the same brand, and the community around the VX-PRO is still young. That is exactly why we are here: send us your setup questions, we have the pedal set in store.

Which pedal set for which driver?

Our verdict

The Heusinkveld Sprint and the VRS DirectForce Pro are excellent pedal sets, and their reputation is well earned. But if you look at the spec sheet, the price and the warranty rather than the name on the pedal, the Simgrade VX-PRO is the most rational choice of the three in Canada: the strongest brake on paper, the Dual Stage system, a clutch with interchangeable profiles, three years of warranty, and about CA$325 in savings on a 2-pedal set compared with a Sprint.

The best way to make up your mind is still to try it. The VX-PRO is mounted on a simulator in our store: book a driving session or write to us with your current setup, and we will tell you honestly whether it is the right pedal set for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is Simgrade a good pedal brand?

Simgrade is a Finnish manufacturer that specializes exclusively in sim racing pedals. The VX-PRO offers a 200 kg load cell, a Dual Stage brake and a 3-year warranty. The brand is less known in North America than Heusinkveld or VRS, but its spec sheet compares favourably with both.

Where can I buy Simgrade pedals in Canada?

PassionSim is the exclusive Simgrade distributor in Canada. You can order online or try the VX-PRO in our store.

Simgrade VX-PRO or Heusinkveld Sprint: which should I choose?

The VX-PRO offers more brake capacity (200 kg load cell versus 120 kg), a Dual Stage brake and a 3-year warranty versus 2, for about CA$325 less on a 2-pedal set. The Sprint has the brand's reputation, SmartControl software and better resale value on its side.

Simgrade VX-PRO or VRS DirectForce Pro: which should I choose?

The VX-PRO has a stronger brake load cell (200 kg versus 140 kg), a 3-year warranty and is sold in Canadian dollars in Canada. The VRS is usually ordered from the United States in US dollars. It remains a good choice if you already own a VRS wheelbase.

Do these pedals work on PS5 or Xbox?

All three connect natively to a PC over USB. On console, the VX-PRO can still be used through a Drive Hub. The calibration software runs on PC.

Are Simgrade pedals compatible with my wheelbase?

Yes, whatever the brand. The VX-PRO connects straight to your PC over USB-C, without going through the base. You can pair it with a Conspit, Moza, Simagic or any other wheelbase.

Can I add the clutch later?

Yes. The VX-PRO clutch is sold on its own for CA$259. You can start with the 2-pedal version and add it whenever you need it.

Written by the PassionSim team, a Canadian sim racing store. We sell, build and drive this gear every day — send us your questions or come try a simulator in store.