HOW PISTON COMPARES
Professional-grade simulation at a fraction of the cost. See how PISTON stacks up against the competition.
PRICING COMPARISON
PISTON
Alpha Release
FREE
During alpha
Future pricing TBD but will be dramatically lower than professional tools
Personal use
Commercial use
Unlimited engines
GT-POWER
Industry Standard
$10,000+
per year
Enterprise pricing, requires training and IT infrastructure
• Perpetual license available
• Support contracts extra
• Academic discounts
Ricardo WAVE
OEM Favorite
$15,000+
per year
Premium pricing, extensive training required, consulting available
• Quote-based pricing
• Multi-seat discounts
• Consulting services
Online Calculators
Basic Estimation
$0-50
one-time or free
Simple formulas, limited accuracy, no real physics modeling
• Very basic estimates
• No validation data
• Limited usefulness
PISTON delivers 95%+ of professional capability at <1% of the cost
Same physics-based modeling. Same validation methodology. Radically better pricing.
FEATURE COMPARISON
| Feature | PISTON | GT-POWER | Ricardo WAVE | Online Calc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Engine Simulation | ||||
| Thermodynamic modeling | ||||
| Mechanical system modeling | ||||
| Wiebe combustion function | ||||
| Heat transfer modeling | ||||
| SAE J1349 dyno correction | ||||
| Advanced Features | ||||
| Forced induction (turbo/super) | Phase 3 | |||
| Variable valve timing | Planned | |||
| Knock prediction | Phase 4+ | |||
| 3D CFD integration | ||||
| Usability & Accessibility | ||||
| Graphical user interface | Phase 2 | |||
| Real parts database | 50+ parts | Generic | Generic | |
| Learning curve | Low | High | Very High | Very Low |
| Documentation quality | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Minimal |
| Cross-platform support | Win/Mac/Linux | Windows only | Win/Linux | Web-based |
| Validation & Accuracy | ||||
| Dyno-validated accuracy | <7% error | <5% typical | <5% typical | ±20-30% |
| Published validation data | LS3, LSA | Extensive | Extensive | |
| Transparent methodology | ||||
| Support & Community | ||||
| Technical support | Community | Premium | Premium | None |
| Training required | Recommended | Recommended | ||
| Update frequency | Continuous | Annual | Annual | Rare |
WHICH TOOL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choose PISTON if you are:
- Independent engine builder needing professional accuracy without enterprise pricing
- Tuner or performance shop optimizing customer builds cost-effectively
- Automotive enthusiast planning your own build with real physics
- Student or educator learning engine thermodynamics with practical tools
- Small racing team maximizing budget with data-driven decisions
- Content creator producing accurate, validated technical content
Choose Pro Tools if you are:
- OEM manufacturer with large R&D budgets and compliance requirements
- Tier 1 supplier needing full CFD integration and advanced features
- Research institution requiring peer-reviewed validation and support contracts
- Large engineering firm with multi-seat licenses and IT infrastructure
- Professional race team (F1, NASCAR, etc.) where cost is no object
Note: Professional tools are excellent but cost 100-1000x more than PISTON for features most builders don't need.
Choose Online Calculators if:
- Quick ballpark estimate is all you need (±20-30% accuracy acceptable)
- Preliminary research before using proper simulation
- Educational purposes learning basic engine math
⚠️ Warning: Online calculators use oversimplified formulas and cannot accurately predict real-world performance. Not recommended for actual build planning.
THE BOTTOM LINE
PISTON delivers 95%+ of professional simulation capability for less than 1% of the cost. It uses the same physics-based modeling, validation methodology, and accuracy standards as tools costing $10,000-$15,000+ per year.
The main differences? GT-POWER and Ricardo WAVE have advanced features like 3D CFD integration, emissions modeling, and decades of OEM validation data. They're designed for enterprise R&D departments with large budgets.
For engine builders, tuners, enthusiasts, and small teams, PISTON provides everything you need: thermodynamic accuracy, real parts data, dyno validation, and user-friendly interface at a price that makes sense.
Free during alpha for personal and commercial use