PioSolver Review (2026)
Last updated: May 23, 2026
PioSolver is the original commercially viable NLHE postflop solver, released in 2014 by Polish developer Piotr "Pio" Łopusiewicz. It runs locally on your machine (not in the cloud) and is priced as a one-time purchase: $249 Basic, $475 Pro, $1099 Edge — lifetime licenses with no monthly fees. Hardware requirement: 32GB RAM minimum, 64GB recommended, plus a multi-core CPU (more cores = faster solves; a typical 100bb 4-card spot solves in 1-30 minutes). Unlike cloud GTO Wizard ($39-$129/month, pre-computed library), PioSolver lets you run fully custom sims — your own bet-size tree, your own ranges, your own stack depth — making it irreplaceable for serious cash game pros who need bespoke study. Used and endorsed by Doug Polk, Patrik Antonius, and Phil Galfond. Continuous updates since 2014 (~2-3 major releases/year). Alternatives include GTO+ ($75/mo cloud), MonkerSolver (multiway PLO+), and JivaroSolver. Free PioViewer Lite lets non-owners read shared solution files.
Definitions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does PioSolver cost?
PioSolver uses one-time pricing (lifetime license, no monthly fees): PioSolver Basic $249 (preflop limited, basic postflop), PioSolver Pro $475 (full features, most cash players' choice), and PioSolver Edge $1099 (HU NLHE flagship — solves 300+bb depth, used by high-stakes pros). Compare to GTO Wizard's $39-$129/month recurring. Break-even vs GTO Wizard Pro: ~12 months for PioSolver Pro.
PioSolver vs GTO Wizard — which is better?
Different tools. GTO Wizard: cloud-based, pre-computed library of cash + MTT spots, $39-$129/month, runs on any device, instant access to millions of solutions. PioSolver: local install, runs custom sims with full parameter control (bet sizes, ranges, depth, ICM), one-time $249-$1099. Most serious cash pros own both — Wizard for daily quick study, Pio for deep custom research. Tournament players lean Wizard (no ICM in Pio); cash players who want bespoke sims need Pio.
What hardware does PioSolver need?
Minimum 32GB RAM; 64GB recommended for complex multi-street sims. Multi-core CPU is critical — more cores = linearly faster solve times (Ryzen Threadripper / Xeon are common pro setups). SSD storage helps with large output files. Typical 100bb 4-card spot solves in 1-30 minutes depending on bet-size tree and accuracy target (0.1% to 0.5% of pot). Cloud rental (e.g., AWS c5.metal) is an option for $1-3/hour if you don't want a dedicated machine.
Is PioSolver worth it in 2026?
For mid-stakes+ cash game players: yes. The ability to run custom sims (your specific bet trees, opponent ranges, board textures) is irreplaceable for deep study and won't show up in any pre-computed library. For NL10-NL50 grinders, GTO Wizard's pre-computed library is sufficient and far more cost-effective. For tournament players: PioSolver doesn't compute ICM — GTO Wizard or HRC + ICMIZER is the right stack. PioSolver Edge ($1099) only makes sense if you play HU NLHE seriously.
Who is Piotr Łopusiewicz?
Polish software developer, founder and sole core developer of PioSolver. Released first version in 2014 — first commercially viable NLHE postflop solver, predating all competitors by years. Bootstrapped indie business. PioSolver remains a small operation (Pio + small team) yet powers the entire high-stakes cash game ecosystem. Famous for the 'Cisco the cat' mascot. Continuous updates since 2014, ~2-3 major releases per year.
Related Guides
Free poker math, browser-based
Open RiverOdds Calculator →