Curve Dental vs CareStack
Verdict. CareStack leads on the overall Data Index (8.3 vs 7.6). On the 6 axes where both have evidence, Curve Dental wins 2, CareStack wins 3 and 1 is tied. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (CareStack 7.0 vs 2.0), support (Curve Dental 7.0 vs 4.0), and vendor stability (CareStack 9.0 vs 6.0). Users rate CareStack higher (4.8 vs 4.5).
Table view
| Axis | Curve Dental | CareStack |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Integrations | 10.0 | 8.8 |
| Pricing clarity | 2.0 | 7.0 |
| Support | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| Vendor stability | 6.0 | 9.0 |
| User rating | 9.0 | 9.5 |
Axis by axis
- Features 9.3 vs 9.3 tie
- Integrations 10.0 vs 8.8 Curve Dental
- Pricing clarity 2.0 vs 7.0 CareStack
- Support 7.0 vs 4.0 Curve Dental
- Vendor stability 6.0 vs 9.0 CareStack
- User rating 9.0 vs 9.5 CareStack
Curve Dental or CareStack: which should you choose?
Two all-in-one cloud systems with different buyers in mind. CareStack publishes its prices (Essentials from $829 a month, Intelligence with AI features from $1,299) and is built with multi-location groups in mind. Curve Dental is quote-only, has been in the cloud since 2004 and is strongest with small and mid-sized general practices.
CareStack leads our Data Index among cloud systems and has the higher user rating; Curve has the larger third-party ecosystem and a long, documented record of conversions from Dentrix and Eaglesoft. If you run several locations or want AI features in the base contract, start with CareStack. If you are a single office leaving a server system, get quotes from both.
Reviewed under the standards of our Editorial Board
What our reviews say
Curve Dental
A mature cloud PMS now layering in AI (voice charting, automated eligibility checks) — strong support and a proven conversion track record, but pricing is still quote-only.
Strengths- Cloud-native since 2004, with no server and nothing to install
- More than 7,500 data conversions completed as of July 2026, including 2,434 from Dentrix and 2,348 from Eaglesoft
- Customer service rated 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra
- No public pricing — get the quote and renewal terms in writing
- Curve Imaging, Curve GRO and custom reporting rated below the core product by users
- Full mobile access requires a separate GRO subscription
CareStack
An all-in-one cloud system built for groups, with published prices from $829 a month per the vendor. Highly rated, but expect a learning curve and a demanding go-live.
Strengths- Published starting prices: Essentials from $829 and Intelligence from $1,299 a month
- Imaging, patient portal, eligibility checks, claims and texting are included in the base plan
- Customer service rated 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra
- Steep learning curve is the most common complaint in reviews
- Prices are "starting at" figures; the final quote depends on locations and providers
- An implementation fee may apply, and its amount is not published
Side by side
| Curve Dental | CareStack | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Index | 7.6 | 8.3 |
| Category rank | #3 of 16 · Cloud PMS | #1 of 16 · Cloud PMS |
| User rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Review count | 552 | 420 |
| Starting price | — | $829/mo |
| Pricing transparency | Quote only | Public starting price |
| License | Quote only | Subscription |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Verified integrations | 8 | 4 |
| HIPAA claim | Yes | Yes |
| Company size | 101-250 | 3000+ |
| Markets | US | UK |
| Data completeness | 96% | 92% |
Features
2 of 14 tracked capabilities differ. Only Curve Dental: cdt codes. Only CareStack: nhs uda (uk).
| Capability | Curve Dental | CareStack |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical charting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perio charting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Voice perio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Treatment planning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Operatory scheduling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time eligibility | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-claims | ✓ | ✓ |
| ERA auto-posting | ✓ | ✓ |
| e-Prescribing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Imaging bridge | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-location | ✓ | ✓ |
| CDT codes | ✓ | ? |
| NHS UDA (UK) | ? | ✓ |
Integrations
Only Curve Dental · 7
Both · 1
Only CareStack · 3
Choose Curve Dental if…
- Small and mid-sized general practices that want to retire the office server
- Offices moving from Dentrix, Eaglesoft or Open Dental that want a well-trodden conversion path
- Practices that want AI charting and insurance-verification tools bundled with their PMS rather than stitched together from third parties
- you need cdt codes
Choose CareStack if…
- Multi-location groups and DSOs that want one cloud database
- Practices that want scheduling, claims, imaging, patient messaging and reporting from a single vendor
- Buyers who want to see a starting price before booking a demo
- you need nhs uda (uk)
- user satisfaction is your priority
FAQ
Is Curve Dental better than CareStack?
CareStack leads on the overall Data Index (8.3 vs 7.6). On the 6 axes where both have evidence, Curve Dental wins 2, CareStack wins 3 and 1 is tied. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (CareStack 7.0 vs 2.0), support (Curve Dental 7.0 vs 4.0), and vendor stability (CareStack 9.0 vs 6.0). Users rate CareStack higher (4.8 vs 4.5).
Do Curve Dental and CareStack integrate with the same systems?
They share 1 verified integration (Birdeye). Only Curve Dental lists 7; only CareStack lists 3.