PRICING
Professional-grade simulation at a fraction of the cost. Free during alpha, affordable forever.
🎉 FREE DURING ALPHA
PISTON is currently 100% free for personal and commercial use during the alpha testing phase.
No credit card required. No trial period. No feature limitations. Just download and start simulating.
Download NowPLANNED PRICING TIERS
After alpha, PISTON will transition to a sustainable pricing model. Final pricing is not yet determined, but here's what we're considering. Expect at least 30 days notice before any paid tiers launch.
Free
For hobbyists and learners
$0
Forever
- Core simulation engine
- Limited parts database (20-30 parts)
- CSV export
- Community support
- Personal use only
Enthusiast
For builders and tuners
$9-19
per month or $99-199/year
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Full parts database (50+ parts, growing)
- Advanced export formats (JSON, etc.)
- Priority feature requests
- Email support (48hr response)
- Commercial use allowed
- Early access to new features
Professional
For teams and businesses
$49-99
per month or $499-999/year
- Everything in Enthusiast, plus:
- Multi-seat licenses (team pricing)
- Custom parts import (upload your own)
- API access for automation
- Priority email support (24hr response)
- Cloud sync and backups
- Unlimited commercial use
Enterprise
Custom pricing for large organizations
Need site licenses, dedicated support, custom feature development, or on-premises deployment? Contact us for enterprise pricing tailored to your organization's needs.
Contact SalesVALUE COMPARISON
| Feature | PISTON Enthusiast | GT-POWER | Ricardo WAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $99-199 | $10,000+ | $15,000+ |
| Thermodynamic modeling | |||
| Dyno-validated accuracy | <7% | <5% | <5% |
| Real parts database | 50+ parts | Generic | Generic |
| Learning curve | Low | High | Very High |
| Training required | No | Yes ($2-5k) | Yes ($3-8k) |
| 5-Year Total Cost | $495-995 | $52,000+ | $78,000+ |
Save $50,000+ over 5 years while getting 95%+ of the features most builders actually need
GRANDFATHER PRICING FOR ALPHA TESTERS
As a thank you to our alpha testers who help make PISTON better, we're considering special grandfather pricing:
- Lifetime discount: 25-50% off standard pricing
- Price lock: Your rate stays the same even as features are added
- Early bird bonus: Extended access to premium features during transition
Details TBD. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when grandfather pricing is finalized.
PRICING FAQ
How long will PISTON be free?
PISTON is free throughout the entire alpha testing phase. When we transition to paid tiers, you'll receive at least 30 days advance notice. Alpha testers may qualify for special grandfather pricing (see above).
Will there always be a free tier?
Yes! We're committed to maintaining a free tier with core simulation capabilities. It may have limitations (fewer parts, basic features only), but it will always be available for hobbyists and students.
What happens to my data when pricing changes?
All your engine configurations, simulation results, and settings are stored locally on your computer. You own your data 100%. Transitioning to a paid tier (or staying on free) doesn't affect your existing work.
Can I use PISTON commercially during alpha?
Yes! During alpha, PISTON is free for both personal and commercial use. Once paid tiers launch, commercial use will require an Enthusiast, Professional, or Enterprise license.
Are there student or academic discounts?
We're planning significant discounts (50-75% off) for students and educational institutions. Details will be announced before paid tiers launch. The free tier will always be available for educational use.
What payment methods will you accept?
When paid tiers launch, we'll accept major credit cards, PayPal, and potentially crypto payments. Annual subscriptions may offer additional payment options.
Can I switch between tiers?
Yes, you'll be able to upgrade or downgrade between tiers at any time. Upgrades take effect immediately. Downgrades typically take effect at the end of your current billing period.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
We're planning a 30-day money-back guarantee for paid tiers. If you're not satisfied, request a full refund within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked.
Will prices increase over time?
We're committed to transparent, fair pricing. Any price increases will be announced at least 60 days in advance, and existing subscribers will be grandfathered at their current rate for a minimum period (likely 1-2 years).
GET STARTED TODAY
Download PISTON now while it's completely free. No credit card required.