Side by side
Allplan vs MicroStation
Both stand on engineering design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial iPhoneMacWeb+1
ALLPLAN covers multiple AEC disciplines and project stages, with cloud collaboration and broad data exchange support. Check the plan scope, system requirements, and trial period against your project needs.
Visit Allplan Free trial Windows
MicroStation combines infrastructure CAD workflows with BIM, geospatial data, and several file-format options. Its paid Windows access and guided trial process are important factors to weigh before requesting a trial.
Visit MicroStationThe facts
| Allplan | MicroStation | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | iPhone, Mac, Web, Windows | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | ALLPLAN Basic: €123 a month | MicroStation: $2,656 a year |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | MicroStation |
| Website | allplan.com | bentley.com |
| On engineering design software | #8 of 24 | #12 of 24 |
Allplan: what it does well
- Covers building and infrastructure BIM workflows.
- Supports IFC 2x3, IFC 4, DWG/DXF, and PDF.
- Cloud services support teamwork and coordination.
- Includes Python and Visual Scripting interfaces.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- The trial lasts 14 days.
- Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 20 GB disk space.
MicroStation: what it does well
- Supports 2D and 3D design workflows.
- Imports DWG, DXF, and IFC into DGN files.
- Includes built-in BIM capabilities and integrations.
- Offers a Python API.
- Works offline.
What to know first
- No free plan is listed.
- Available platform is Windows.
- Trial requires request, review, and approval.
Alternatives to Allplan Alternatives to MicroStation The whole list

