Astah UML vs BOUML

Astah UML8.5Visit BBOUML8.4Visit

Higher score Astah UML #7 in UML Modeling Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 20-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Astah UML

vs

B BOUML #8 in UML Modeling Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit BOUML

• Astah UML fits best

  Affordable cross-platform UML modeling

• BOUML fits best

  Free engineering-focused UML teams

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Side by side

Feature	Astah UML 8.5/10 Visit ↗	BBOUML 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.4
Ranking	#7 in UML Modeling Software	#8 in UML Modeling Software
Best for	Affordable cross-platform UML modeling	Free engineering-focused UML teams
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$6.99/user/mo	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	20 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Astah UML 3/4 · BOUML 3/4
Code generation	✓	✓
Reverse engineering	✓	✓
Team collaboration	✓	✓
Model repository	—	Not checked yet
Specs
UML diagram types	Class, Use Case, State Machine, Activity, Sequence, Timing, Communication, Component, Deployment, Composite Structure	use case, sequence, communication, class, composite class, activity, state, object, composite object, component, deployment
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, Linux, macOS
Our review
Pros	Broad UML 2.x diagram coverage Java, C#, and C++ reverse engineering Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux	Covers a broad set of UML 2 diagram types Generates source code for seven listed languages and MySQL Includes Project Control and Project Synchro for multi-person work
Cons	Desktop deployment without a model repository Advanced AI features require version 11 or later Free access is limited to eligible university students	Desktop deployment limits the product to Windows, Linux, and macOS Round-trip engineering is limited to C++, Java, and PHP Reverse engineering covers fewer languages than code generation
Our verdict	Astah UML is desktop UML modeling software for software engineers, students, and development teams. It supports UML 2.x class, use case, state machine, activity, sequence, timing, communication, component, deployment, and composite… Read the review →	BOUML is a free desktop UML 2 modeling tool for engineering teams that need more than diagram creation. It supports use case, sequence, communication, class, composite class, activity, state, object, composite object, component, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Astah UML — where it wins

  • Broad UML 2.x diagram coverage
  • Java, C#, and C++ reverse engineering
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop deployment without a model repository
  • Advanced AI features require version 11 or later
  • Free access is limited to eligible university students

• BOUML — where it wins

  • Covers a broad set of UML 2 diagram types
  • Generates source code for seven listed languages and MySQL
  • Includes Project Control and Project Synchro for multi-person work

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop deployment limits the product to Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Round-trip engineering is limited to C++, Java, and PHP
  • Reverse engineering covers fewer languages than code generation

• Astah UML8.5/10 · Free plan · 20-day trial

  A broad, affordable cross-platform UML tool with collaboration, reverse engineering, and AI features.

  Visit Astah UMLFull verdict →
• BBOUML8.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, engineering-focused UML desktop tool with generation, reverse engineering, and team features.

  Visit BOUMLFull verdict →