Allplan vs Bonsai
Allplan
allplan.com
Bonsai
bonsaibim.orgSide by side
| Figure | Allplan | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €123/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Architectural CAD Software | 8.7 (#2) | 8.0 (#9) |
| Spec score · Architecture Design software | 8.7 (#2) | 7.9 (#9) |
| Spec score · Architectural Design Software | 8.7 (#3) | 7.9 (#13) |
| Spec score · Architecture Software | 8.7 (#5) | 8.0 (#14) |
| Spec score · Building Information Modeling Software | 8.7 (#2) | 8.0 (#3) |
| Spec score · BIM Software | 8.7 (#5) | 7.9 (#14) |
| Spec score · 3D Architecture Software | 8.7 (#3) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Product | ALLPLAN is interdisciplinary BIM software for architecture, engineering and construction that supports design and construction throughout project phases. | Bonsai is a family of open source apps for authoring, reviewing, and sharing IFC models. |
| Support | ALLPLAN technical support is provided by experienced architects and structural engineers, with contacts routed by region or through sales partners. | The documentation directs users to live chat, community forums, and GitHub bug reports for help. |
Plans
Allplan
- ALLPLAN Basic€123 a month
- ALLPLAN Concept€210 a month
- ALLPLAN Professional€263 a month
- ALLPLAN Ultimate€353 a month
In their own words
Allplan
ALLPLAN is interdisciplinary BIM software for architecture, engineering and construction, supporting work from design through construction. Its workflows bring together building and infrastructure modeling, detailing, fabrication and construction planning. It covers architecture, structural and MEP engineering, civil and bridge engineering, precast detailing and construction site planning. Cloud services support project and office teamwork, coordination, and distribution of drawings and plans. For exchanging data, it supports IFC 2x3 and IFC 4, DWG/DXF, PDF, SketchUp and Rhino. Programming options include Python parametric PythonParts, Visual Scripting and the NOI interface for add-ons. The four listed plans are Basic at €123 a month, Concept at €210 a month, Professional at €263 a month and Ultimate at €353 a month. A 14-day trial is available, but there is no free plan. ALLPLAN lists iOS, macOS, web and Windows platforms; its 2026 system requirements name Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025, and also note additional requirements for Mac installation.
Bonsai
Bonsai is a free, open-source family of applications for creating, reviewing, and sharing IFC models. Bonsai Studio is an IFC authoring platform built on Blender. It supports modeling, documentation, coordination, and BIM data management across disciplines. Studio can generate and annotate linked 2D drawings, then produce schedules and reports from model data. Bonsai Viewer is a separate free desktop application for reviewing IFC models, drawings, and data without the authoring environment. Viewer includes model search and filtering, clash detection, BCF issue management, federation of multiple models, and cloud synchronization for models and issues. Bonsai reads and writes native IFC and states that it has no proprietary formats or lock-in. Studio is powered by IfcOpenShell and includes Python scripting and an API. Listed workflows cover structural-analysis solver connections, MEP systems, 4D scheduling, 5D cost estimation, and COBie facility-management data. Studio and Viewer support Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Studio page labels the software alpha.