Allplan vs Revit: BIM Platform Comparison for Architecture and Engineering Firms

Allplan vs Revit: BIM Platform Comparison for Architecture and Engineering Firms

I've used both Allplan and Revit on production projects, and the comparison is interesting because they approach BIM from very different angles. Revit dominates in North America and the UK; Allplan has a strong following in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and increasingly in Eastern Europe. Both produce BIM models with IFC export, but their philosophies and strengths are quite different. Here's my take based on real project experience with both.

Cost Comparison

| | Allplan Architecture | Revit (AEC Collection) | |---|---|---| | License type | Subscription or perpetual | Subscription only | | Annual cost | ~$2,500-3,500 | ~$2,500-7,000 (AEC Collection) | | Perpetual option | Yes (Allplan still offers perpetual in some markets) | No | | Free viewer | Yes (Allplan Viewer) | Yes (Revit Viewer) |

BIM Modeling Philosophy

Allplan: Hybrid 2D/3D Approach

• Start with 2D drawings and convert to 3D
• 2D and 3D coexist in the same file
• You can work in pure 2D for some parts and full 3D for others
• Flexible for teams transitioning from CAD to BIM

Revit: Pure BIM Approach

• Model in 3D from the start; 2D views are generated from the 3D model
• Every element is a parametric BIM object
• No pure 2D mode — even 2D drafting is in the context of the 3D model
• Requires commitment to BIM workflow from day one

Modeling Capabilities

| Feature | Allplan | Revit | |---------|---------|-------| | Walls (parametric) | Yes | Yes | | Slabs (parametric) | Yes | Yes | | Roofs (parametric) | Yes | Yes | | Doors/Windows (parametric) | Yes | Yes | | Curtain walls | Yes | Yes (more advanced) | | Stairs (parametric) | Yes | Yes | | Railings | Yes | Yes | | Site modeling | Yes (basic) | Yes (basic) | | Massing studies | Yes | Yes (more advanced with FormIt) | | Adaptive components | No | Yes | | Free-form modeling | Limited | Yes (conceptual massing) | | Family/Component library | Yes (Allplan library) | Yes (Revit families — larger ecosystem) |

Reinforcement (Engineering)

| Feature | Allplan Engineering | Revit Structure | |---------|-------------------|-----------------| | 3D rebar modeling | Yes (excellent) | Yes | | Rebar shapes | Full library (European + American) | Full library (American + European) | | Bending schedules | Yes (automatic) | Yes (automatic) | | Rebar couplers | Yes | Yes | | Pre-stressed concrete | Yes | Limited | | Precast elements | Yes (advanced) | Yes (with add-ins) | | CNC data export (rebar) | Yes (BVBS, XML) | Limited (requires add-ins) |

Key difference: Allplan's reinforcement tools are more mature and widely used in European engineering firms. Revit's reinforcement is capable but often requires add-ins for European rebar standards and CNC export.

IFC Compatibility

| Feature | Allplan | Revit | |---------|---------|-------| | IFC 2x3 export | Native, high quality | Native, good quality | | IFC 4 export | Yes | Yes (limited) | | IFC import | Yes (round-trip) | Yes (limited round-trip) | | IFC certification | BuildingSMART certified | BuildingSMART certified | | Coordination View | Yes | Yes | | Design Transfer View | Yes | Limited |

Allplan's IFC implementation is generally considered more robust for round-trip workflows, while Revit's IFC export works well for coordination but is less reliable for full model transfer.

Drawing Generation

| Feature | Allplan | Revit | |---------|---------|-------| | Floor plans from 3D | Yes | Yes | | Sections from 3D | Yes | Yes | | Elevations from 3D | Yes | Yes | | Detail views | Yes | Yes (more extensive detail library) | | Schedules | Yes | Yes (more powerful) | | Sheet layouts | Yes | Yes | | Title blocks | Yes | Yes | | Revision tracking | Yes | Yes (more integrated) | | DWG output | Yes (native) | Yes (export) |

Revit's drawing generation is more automated — views update instantly when the model changes. Allplan requires a manual update step but offers more control over what is displayed in each view.

Collaboration

| Feature | Allplan | Revit | |---------|---------|-------| | Worksharing (multi-user) | Yes (Allplan Share) | Yes (Revit Cloud Worksharing) | | Cloud collaboration | Yes (Allplan Cloud) | Yes (BIM 360 / Autodesk Docs) | | Clash detection | Yes (via Solibri or Allplan Visual Scripting) | Yes (via Navisworks) | | Model checking | Yes (Solibri integration) | Yes (via add-ins) | | BIM coordination | Yes | Yes |

Revit's collaboration ecosystem (BIM 360, Autodesk Docs, Navisworks) is more mature and widely adopted. Allplan relies on its own cloud plus Solibri for coordination.

Unique Allplan Advantages

• 2D/3D hybrid workflow — flexible for teams not ready for full BIM
• Superior reinforcement tools — mature, European-standard compliant
• Precast concrete — advanced precast element design and detailing
• CNC data export — direct export to rebar bending machines (BVBS format)
• IFC round-trip — more reliable IFC import/export for multi-platform projects
• Perpetual licensing — available in some markets (Revit is subscription-only)
• Lower training barrier — 2D-first approach eases the transition from CAD

Unique Revit Advantages

• Larger ecosystem — more families, add-ins, training resources, and community
• Autodesk integration — seamless workflow with Civil 3D, Navisworks, AutoCAD
• Adaptive components — for complex geometry and parametric facades
• Dynamo — visual programming for automation (Allplan has Visual Scripting but less mature)
• Market dominance — easier collaboration with partners who likely use Revit
• Better free-form modeling — conceptual massing and form-making tools
• More powerful scheduling — material takeoffs, area plans, view filters

When to Choose Allplan

• Your firm does heavy reinforcement and concrete detailing
• You need precast concrete design capabilities
• Your team is transitioning from 2D CAD and needs a hybrid workflow
• You work primarily with European standards and rebar shapes
• You need robust IFC round-trip with non-Reviter partners
• You want perpetual licensing (where available)

When to Choose Revit

• Your partners and consultants all use Revit (file exchange is native)
• You need adaptive components for complex facades
• You want access to the large Revit family and add-in ecosystem
• You use Autodesk BIM 360 / Docs for project delivery
• You need Dynamo for advanced automation
• You work in North America where Revit is the industry standard
• You need conceptual massing and free-form modeling

Regional Market and Collaboration Considerations

The choice between Allplan and Revit is heavily influenced by geographic location and local market standards. Allplan has strong market share in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Eastern Europe — regions where engineering precision and structural detail documentation are emphasized. In these markets, Allplan's engineering tools and European code support make it the natural choice. Revit dominates in North America, the UK, Australia, and most of Asia. For firms working internationally, the choice may be dictated by client requirements. Collaboration between Allplan and Revit users requires IFC as the interchange format, which adds a conversion step and can lose some parametric data. Firms that work across both markets may need to maintain both platforms, increasing training and licensing costs but ensuring compatibility with local requirements and client expectations.

My Take

Both Allplan and Revit are capable BIM platforms, and I've used both on real projects. If you're in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) or do a lot of reinforced concrete work, Allplan is the stronger choice — the reinforcement tools and 2D/3D hybrid workflow are genuinely better. If you're in North America or need deep collaboration with Revit-using partners, Revit is the safer choice. For engineering firms that need reinforcement detailing and precast design, I'd lean toward Allplan. For architecture firms that need conceptual modeling and a large ecosystem, Revit wins.