| Rigid | Flexible | Virtual | |
| Invasiveness | +++ | +++ | - |
| Examination of upper lobe airways | - | +++ | +++ |
| Tissue sampling | +++ | +++ | - |
| Level of anesthesia/sedation | +++ | + | - |
| Airway stent placement | +++ | ++ | - |
| Endobronchial tumor debulking | +++ | + | - |
| Technology availability | + | +++ | + |
