OpenPlant Modeler vs MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT)

OpenPlant Modeler7.2Visit MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT)6.8Visit

Higher score OpenPlant Modeler #5 in Plant Design Management Systems Software 7.2/10 From $5,839/mo (annual) ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Bentley

vs

MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT) #6 in Plant Design Management Systems Software 6.8/10 14-day trial ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit M4 PLANT

• OpenPlant Modeler fits best

  Bentley users needing parametric plant modeling

• MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT) fits best

  Value-focused multi-user plant projects

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	OpenPlant Modeler 7.2/10 Visit ↗	MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT) 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.2	6.8
Ranking	#5 in Plant Design Management Systems Software	#6 in Plant Design Management Systems Software
Best for	Bentley users needing parametric plant modeling	Value-focused multi-user plant projects
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Cloud	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs	Phone, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenPlant Modeler 0/5 · MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT) 5/5
3D model coordination	Not published	✓ (best)
P&ID authoring	Not published	✓ (best)
Isometric drawings	Not published	✓ (best)
Clash detection	Not published	✓ (best)
Document control	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment	Not published	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Models equipment, piping, HVAC, cable tray, and structural steel. Supports clash detection, point-cloud integration, and material reporting. Connects with PlantSight, iTwin, ProjectWise, and other Bentley tools.	Database-managed multi-user projects with version management 3D piping, steel, ducting and cable-tray design with clash checks Automated isometrics, drawings, reports and bills of materials
Cons	The displayed annual price is $5,839 per license. Runs on Windows rather than across multiple desktop platforms. Its workflow is centered on plant engineering, not general-purpose CAD.	Windows-only desktop deployment Paid product with no free plan Isometric generation may depend on a module or package
Our verdict	OpenPlant Modeler is Bentley Systems’ Windows software for creating 3D plant designs. It is aimed at engineering firms, owner-operators, and project teams working on process, mining, water, wastewater, and power facilities. Parametric… Read the review →	M4 PLANT, formerly MPDS4, is a database-managed plant engineering suite for multi-user design teams working on process lines, plants and factories. It covers piping, steelwork, HVAC ducting, electrical routing and cable trays, with… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenPlant Modeler — where it wins

  • Models equipment, piping, HVAC, cable tray, and structural steel.
  • Supports clash detection, point-cloud integration, and material reporting.
  • Connects with PlantSight, iTwin, ProjectWise, and other Bentley tools.

  Where it doesn't

  • The displayed annual price is $5,839 per license.
  • Runs on Windows rather than across multiple desktop platforms.
  • Its workflow is centered on plant engineering, not general-purpose CAD.

• MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT) — where it wins

  • Database-managed multi-user projects with version management
  • 3D piping, steel, ducting and cable-tray design with clash checks
  • Automated isometrics, drawings, reports and bills of materials

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only desktop deployment
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • Isometric generation may depend on a module or package

• OpenPlant Modeler7.2/10 · From $5,839/mo (annual)

  A Windows plant modeler with broad discipline coverage and a high annual license price.

  Visit BentleyFull verdict →
• MPDS4 (now M4 PLANT)6.8/10 · 14-day trial

  A Windows desktop suite for coordinated, multi-user plant and factory design.

  Visit M4 PLANTFull verdict →