Software now serves as foundational infrastructure for dental practices, supporting everything from patient intake and imaging to billing, communication, and clinical documentation. Practices depend on reliable systems to move information smoothly between the front office and clinical, reduce administrative friction, and maintain consistent patient engagement from appointment scheduling through follow-up.

Most dental offices use more than one platform — practice management software, imaging systems, communication tools, and financial solutions — to support clinical and business operations. The effectiveness of these tools has a direct impact on practice performance and long-term patient relationships.

This guide combines real reviewer insights with publicly available vendor information to help practices compare the top dental software solutions in 2026. Because capabilities and pricing evolve, practices should confirm specifics with each vendor, but the summaries here provide a practical foundation for evaluating your options.

Cherry

Cherry fills one of the most important gaps in a dental practice’s technology stack: patient financing. Traditional dental practice management software handles scheduling, charting, imaging, and billing, but these systems don’t solve a core issue that directly affects case acceptance — cost barriers. For many patients, dentistry is expensive, and high-ticket treatment plans often require flexible payment options.

Cherry gives patients the ability to split treatment costs into manageable payments while dental practices get paid up front. With a 60-second application and a soft credit check (which doesn’t harm credit score), Cherry evaluates patients in real time, offering an instant approval decision whether they apply at home or in-office. Over 80% are approved for funding up to $50,000 and terms as long as 60 months, and qualified borrowers can access true 0% APR financing — no deferred interest traps.

With no subscription costs and the lowest merchant fees in the industry, Cherry empowers dental clinics to offer more treatment and enhance cash flow. Dental teams appreciate how easily it integrates into existing front desk processes without adding administrative hassle, while providing a measurable lift in revenue and operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways (Cherry)

• Specialization: Patient financing solution that increases treatment acceptance and supports high-value dental care with loans up to $50,000 and terms as long as 60 months; works alongside any dental practice management solution to attract new patients and improve profitability.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: No subscription costs or annual fees; lowest merchant fees in the industry.
  
• Ease of Use: Simple, mobile-friendly application with a soft credit check; wide eligibility and instant approval decisions that reduce friction for patients and streamline front desk operations.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Works naturally with existing workflows, supporting retention, referral opportunities, and patient communication efforts.

Dentrix

Dentrix has long been one of the most widely used practice management systems in dentistry, largely because of its depth and maturity. Many practices choose Dentrix because it combines clinical documentation, scheduling, billing, and administrative workflows in a single, familiar environment. Dental teams often describe it as a system that “has everything,” which makes it appealing for offices that want a comprehensive platform rather than a patchwork of clinical tools.

Reviewers frequently note that once staff are trained, Dentrix becomes a reliable central hub for day-to-day operations. Providers appreciate the clinical features built into the charting environment, while office managers value the reporting and oversight tools that help track production and monitor practice performance. Some users acknowledge a learning curve, but the tradeoff is long-term stability and strong industry recognition.

Dentrix remains a strong fit for established offices and multi-provider practices that want a well-supported, widely adopted system with a long track record in the dental industry.

Key Takeaways (Dentrix)

• Specialization: All-in-one dental practice management system with strong charting, perio tools, dashboards, and imaging integrations for comprehensive patient care.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: Quote-based pricing determined by practice size, selected modules, and implementation needs.
  
• Ease of Use: Cutting-edge, feature-rich system that supports multi-location healthcare environments; may require onboarding time for new team members.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Offers extensive integrations with imaging software, communication tools, and cloud backup solutions, and workflows designed to help practices maintain HIPAA compliance.

Eaglesoft

Eaglesoft, powered by Patterson Dental, is another long-standing favorite among dentists, especially those that rely heavily on integrated imaging. Many teams appreciate how naturally the software works with Patterson’s hardware and imaging equipment, which creates a smooth chairside experience for providers and assistants. The clinical and administrative workflows are structured in a way that feels approachable, making it easier for staff to get comfortable quickly.

Users often describe Eaglesoft as dependable and intuitive for everyday tasks such as scheduling, insurance processing, and patient communication. Practices that value in-office infrastructure and close alignment with their imaging tools tend to find Eaglesoft a strong match. It has earned a reputation for being stable and straightforward, especially for small and mid-sized practices that want a familiar, in-office system that functions reliably without extensive customization.

Key Takeaways (Eaglesoft)

• Specialization: Comprehensive practice-management system with strong imaging, charting, and insurance claims management for general dentistry and multi-provider practices.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: Quote-based pricing that varies based on configuration, features, and in-office hardware requirements.
  
• Ease of Use: Known for its intuitive workflow design and user-friendly tools for front desk and clinical teams. Ideal for dental practices looking for a powerful, in-office solution with reliable customer support.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Supports integrations with major X-ray and dental imaging systems, patient communication tools, and other add-on software solutions.

Open Dental

Open Dental is one of the most widely adopted open-source dental software programs, appreciated by practices for its flexibility and long-term reliability. Instead of locking offices into fixed workflows, Open Dental gives teams the freedom to customize how they work and tailor the software to their operational style. Many practices adopt it because it scales smoothly as they grow — from single providers to large dental groups.

Users consistently praise Open Dental for being dependable, affordable, and updated frequently in response to community feedback. Many reviewers note that the system is easy for staff to learn, especially at the front desk, and that the support team is responsive and well-regarded. Practices also value how easily Open Dental works with tools they already use, whether for imaging, communication, or specialty workflows.

Its open architecture has made it a favorite among DSOs and tech-forward practices that want more control over their systems without sacrificing stability or support.

Key Takeaways (Open Dental)

• Specialization: A flexible, open-source practice management system that adapts to different practice needs, giving teams customizable tools and strong data control for managing long-term patient records and operational growth.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: Transparent, published pricing starting at $179 per month per location for support and updates, with optional cloud-hosting and add-on modules available.
  
• Ease of Use: Highly rated for its intuitive design and workflow simplicity, supporting strong practice efficiency as teams grow or add new staff.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Integrates with orthodontic tools, digital forms, imaging systems, and AI-powered technology partners.

Curve Dental

Curve Dental is a cloud-based software built for practices that want a modern, streamlined experience without relying on in-office servers. Many teams adopt Curve because they appreciate being able to access schedules, charts, imaging, and financials from anywhere — something that supports both multi-location groups and providers who collaborate remotely.

User reviews frequently praise Curve for its clean design and ease of use. The interface feels familiar to teams accustomed to modern SaaS tools, which helps with onboarding and daily adoption. Practices also comment positively on the speed and stability of the system, noting that the cloud architecture reduces IT demands and minimizes downtime.

Curve is particularly appealing to offices looking to upgrade from older, server-based systems to a cloud-first solution that simplifies operations while maintaining strong clinical and administrative capabilities.

Key Takeaways (Curve Dental)

• Specialization: A fully cloud-based solution designed for modern dental offices seeking mobility, streamlined workflows, and intuitive tools that help providers optimize efficiency in day-to-day practice operations.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: Custom quotes based on number of users, features selected, and onboarding requirements.
  
• Ease of Use: Highly user-friendly interface praised for intuitive workflows and minimal onboarding time.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Offers integrated digital forms, online booking features, communication tools, automated reminders, and real-time charting and imaging support.

Carestack

Carestack is a cloud-based, all-in-one dental platform built for practices that want to consolidate multiple systems into one. It’s especially popular among growing groups and DSOs that need scalable tools for scheduling, billing, reporting, and patient engagement. Practices often choose Carestack because it helps centralize workflows and reduce the friction that comes from juggling separate tools.

Reviewers regularly highlight Carestack’s automation features and real-time dashboards, both of which give teams better visibility into performance and help streamline everyday tasks. Many users note that the platform is designed with efficiency in mind—with workflows that minimize manual steps and support high-volume practices.

Carestack is a strong match for offices that want a modern, cloud-native system with robust administrative capabilities and the scalability required for multi-location growth.

Key Takeaways (Carestack)

• Specialization: All-in-one cloud software built for DSOs and larger groups in the dental industry, offering automated workflows and centralized management to improve practice data visibility and practice-wide coordination.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: Customized subscription pricing determined by the number of locations, team size, and required modules; contact vendor for current rates.
  
• Ease of Use: Streamlines front office workflows with automation tools that reduce no-shows and improve communication.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Includes communication tools, digital forms, imaging integrations, and advanced revenue cycle management capabilities.

DentiMax

DentiMax is known for blending practice management software with integrated imaging, making it an appealing option for practices looking for a unified clinical and administrative workflow. Many teams appreciate that DentiMax offers both cloud and on-premise versions, giving offices flexibility depending on their setup or long-term plans.

Reviewers often describe DentiMax as intuitive and visually straightforward, which helps new staff get up to speed quickly. Practices frequently mention the imaging component as a standout benefit, noting that the seamless connection between charting and X-ray workflows reduces switching between systems and improves efficiency.

DentiMax is well-suited for practices that want a streamlined, easy-to-learn platform with strong imaging capabilities and a balanced mix of clinical and front-office features.

Key Takeaways (DentiMax)

• Specialization: A versatile system combining imaging and practice management capabilities for dentists who want an integrated way to manage diagnostics, documentation, and patient data in one place.
  
• Pricing and Monthly Fees: Published pricing starting at $239 per month, plus a one-time Smart Start setup fee (~$8,695) for onboarding and training.
  
• Ease of Use: User-friendly platform ideal for streamlining daily front office and clinical workflows; intuitive for all team members, from scheduling coordinators to hygienists and even the practicing DDS.
  
• Add-Ons & Integrations: Supports digital forms, imaging partners, and online scheduling tools to enhance patient experience.

Choosing the Best Dental Software for Your Practice

Every dental practice has different needs depending on size, specialty, insurance volume, and growth goals. Solo practices might prefer user-friendly systems like Eaglesoft or DentiMax, while growing dental groups and DSOs may lean toward Carestack, Curve Dental, or Open Dental for their scalability. Clinics focused on customizable features and integrations often choose Open Dental, while those wanting modern, cloud-based dental software may select Curve Dental or Carestack.

What remains consistent across the industry is that while practice management software handles charting, scheduling, imaging, and billing, none of these platforms solve the increasing financial barriers to dental care. Cherry fits naturally alongside any dental system, helping practices increase case acceptance and create a more patient-centered experience.

With the right combination of tools, dental practices can streamline operations, improve retention, strengthen communication, and deliver a more seamless patient journey. To see how Cherry can strengthen your dental technology ecosystem, claim your free demo here.