Asta Powerproject vs Open Planner Studio

Asta Powerproject is construction planning software for projects from small extensions to megaprojects. It builds Gantt schedules from task pools and code libraries, links tasks for critical-path analysis, and lets planners assign calendars, resources, and costs. Multiple what-if scenarios help compare construction methods or explore ways to accelerate delivery. Cost modelling tracks budgeted, planned, and actual figures over time, while resource planning covers people, plant, and materials. Built-in risk analysis assesses possible delays and cost overruns; Schedule Quality Check can apply custom parameters or DCMA and CIOB metrics. The software works with Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera files and integrates with Bidcon estimating applications, ERP systems, and BIM tools. The standard installed client runs only on Microsoft Windows, while hosted SaaS is accessible on Windows and macOS with an internet connection, but lacks some features such as macros and the Developers' Toolkit. The single-user subscription costs £695 per annum, excluding VAT.

Open Planner Studio is an open-source construction planning tool for buildings, infrastructure and civil works. It provides Gantt charts, automatic critical-path calculation, resource histograms and automatic levelling when resources are overallocated. Schedules use native IFC 4.3; the app imports and exports IFC, CSV, MS Project XML and Primavera P6 XML, and opens MS Project MPP files. Construction calendars can account for holidays, recesses, frost delays, inspections and phasing, with task durations entered in days or hours. Reports export as PDFs at approximately 220 DPI, on paper sizes up to A2, with baseline overlays and status or progress lines. A built-in MCP server allows compatible AI clients to read and edit schedules, with pause, read-only mode, backups and an activity panel. Schedules are stored as IFC files rather than a proprietary closed format. Crash recovery is available, alongside optional periodic saving to a writable project file. The app is marked Available Beta and includes an offline manual in fourteen languages. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows and the web.