3Shape Dental System vs exocad DentalCAD
Verdict. exocad DentalCAD leads on the overall Data Index (7.5 vs 6.1). On the 4 axes where both have evidence, 3Shape Dental System wins 2, exocad DentalCAD wins 2. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (exocad DentalCAD 8.0 vs 2.0), features (exocad DentalCAD 8.2 vs 5.9), and vendor stability (3Shape Dental System 9.0 vs 7.0).
Table view
| Axis | 3Shape Dental System | exocad DentalCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 5.9 | 8.2 |
| Integrations | 6.9 | 5.9 |
| Pricing clarity | 2.0 | 8.0 |
| Support | 7.5 | no data |
| Vendor stability | 9.0 | 7.0 |
| User rating | no data | 9.6 |
Axis by axis
- Features 5.9 vs 8.2 exocad DentalCAD
- Integrations 6.9 vs 5.9 3Shape Dental System
- Pricing clarity 2.0 vs 8.0 exocad DentalCAD
- Support 7.5 vs – no data
- Vendor stability 9.0 vs 7.0 3Shape Dental System
- User rating – vs 9.6 no data
3Shape Dental System or exocad DentalCAD: which should you choose?
These are the two main lab CAD systems, and both cover almost all indications, from single crowns to dentures, partial frameworks and implant work. The real differences are licensing, openness and price transparency.
exocad DentalCAD can be bought outright. A US reseller listed Core at $5,800 perpetual or $3,530 a year on Flex, and the Ultimate Bundle at $12,970 or $6,820, on September 30, 2026. A perpetual licence keeps working at the last version if you stop paying for upgrades. exocad is known for importing from most intraoral scanners and exporting to many mills and printers. It has been owned by Align Technology since 2020.
3Shape Dental System is subscription-only and priced through resellers. It is strongest when clients scan on TRIOS, with direct case flow through 3Shape Unite and Dental Manager lab management included. Its AI crown proposals (Automate) are capped at 1,200 units per seat per year.
A lab receiving scans from many brands, or one that wants to own its licence, should start with exocad. A lab whose clients mostly use TRIOS, and that wants CAD and case management from one vendor, should start with 3Shape.
Reviewed under the standards of our Editorial Board
What our reviews say
3Shape Dental System
3Shape's lab CAD system: broad indications, tight TRIOS integration, lab management and AI crown proposals through Automate. Subscription-based and sold only through resellers, with no public price.
Strengths- Covers crowns, bridges, dentures, partial frameworks, implant work, aligners and trays
- Direct case flow from TRIOS via 3Shape Unite, and imports from other scanners
- AI design proposals for crowns, inlays and onlays in about 90 seconds
- No public pricing; quotes only through resellers
- Subscription model
- AI design has a fair-use cap of 1,200 units per seat per year
exocad DentalCAD
The open standard in lab CAD: nearly every indication, works with almost any scanner, mill and printer, and can be bought outright. From about $5,800 perpetual or $3,530 a year on Flex through US resellers.
Strengths- Indications from single crowns to full dentures, bars, partial frameworks and splints
- Open: imports from most intraoral scanners and exports to many mills and printers
- Perpetual licence available; keeps working if you stop paying for upgrades
- Sold through resellers; prices differ by reseller and country
- Upgrade contract needed each year for new versions
- Flex licences stop working if not renewed
Side by side
| 3Shape Dental System | exocad DentalCAD | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Index | 6.1 | 7.5 |
| Category rank | #3 of 15 · Dental CAD | #1 of 15 · Dental CAD |
| User rating | — | 4.8 / 5 |
| Review count | — | 6 |
| Pricing transparency | Quote only | Full public pricing |
| License | Quote only | Perpetual |
| Deployment | Cloud | Desktop |
| HIPAA claim | Yes | — |
| Company size | 1001–5000 | 201–500 |
| Markets | global | global |
| Data completeness | 82% | 73% |
Features
9 of 17 tracked capabilities differ. Only 3Shape Dental System: ai crown proposal and material library. Only exocad DentalCAD: inlays/onlays, veneers, implant bars, and full dentures.
| Capability | 3Shape Dental System | exocad DentalCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Crowns | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bridges | ✓ | ✓ |
| Inlays/onlays | ✕ | ✓ |
| Veneers | ✕ | ✓ |
| Abutments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Implant bars | ✕ | ✓ |
| Full arch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full dentures | ✕ | ✓ |
| Partial frameworks | ✕ | ✓ |
| Splints | ✓ | ✓ |
| Surgical guides | ✓ | ✓ |
| Models | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aligners | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smile design | ✕ | ✓ |
| AI margin | ✕ | ? |
| AI crown proposal | ✓ | ? |
| Material library | ✓ | ? |
Choose 3Shape Dental System if…
- Labs whose clients mostly scan with TRIOS
- Labs that want CAD, case management and order flow from one vendor
- Labs interested in AI-generated crown proposals at volume
- you need ai crown proposal
- you need material library
Choose exocad DentalCAD if…
- Dental labs that want one CAD system for crowns through dentures, bars and splints
- Labs and clinics that receive scans from many different scanners
- Buyers who prefer a perpetual licence to a mandatory subscription
- you need inlays/onlays
- you need veneers
FAQ
Is 3Shape Dental System better than exocad DentalCAD?
exocad DentalCAD leads on the overall Data Index (7.5 vs 6.1). On the 4 axes where both have evidence, 3Shape Dental System wins 2, exocad DentalCAD wins 2. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (exocad DentalCAD 8.0 vs 2.0), features (exocad DentalCAD 8.2 vs 5.9), and vendor stability (3Shape Dental System 9.0 vs 7.0).