Open Dental review

Open Dental takes second place on value. Its fee page lists $199 a month per location for the first 12 months, covering every computer in the office for up to 3 providers, then a reduced rate of $149 a month. Extra full-time providers cost $20 a month each. The software includes a graphical tooth chart, discount plans, electronic prescriptions, digital forms and a query system that lets offices build their own reports, and it bridges to hundreds of other programs and more than 20 clearinghouses. The catch is that Open Dental is self-hosted by default. You supply the server, backups and IT time, or pay for Open Dental Cloud, which starts at $250 a month for 7 concurrent sessions, is US only and is in limited release. Patient-facing tools such as texting, Web Sched and the patient portal are sold as eServices, so the real monthly total is higher than the license fee.

Who it is for

Cost-conscious practices with some IT help that want deep customization, a large integration list and a published price.

Price

$199 per month per location for the first 12 months, then $149 per month; eServices and cloud hosting extra.

Initial Rate: $199/month/location or office
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Graphical and 3D tooth chart with treatment shown over time
• Built-in, graphic and user-written queries for custom reporting
• Hundreds of bridges to other programs and 20+ clearinghouse integrations
• eServices for a patient portal, web forms, Web Sched, integrated texting and eClipboard
• Conversions from 200+ dental practice management systems

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Lowest published license price among the established systems here
• Strength: Fee covers all computers in a location for up to 3 providers
• Strength: Very open to integrations and custom queries
• Weakness: Self-hosted by default, so the practice manages its own server or hosting
• Weakness: Texting, online booking and similar tools are paid eServices on top of the license
• Weakness: Open Dental Cloud is US only and in limited release

Key facts

• Initial rate: $199 a month per location for 12 months
• Reduced rate: $149 a month per location after 12 months
• Extra providers: $20 a month each above 3 per location
• Cloud hosting: From $250 a month on top of support fees

Where it ranks

Open Dental is No. 3 in our Best Dental Practice Management Software verdict.