CEREC Software vs exocad DentalCAD
Verdict. exocad DentalCAD leads on the overall Data Index (7.5 vs 5.2). On the 3 axes where both have evidence, CEREC Software wins 1, exocad DentalCAD wins 2. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (exocad DentalCAD 8.0 vs 2.0), features (exocad DentalCAD 8.2 vs 4.7), and vendor stability (CEREC Software 10.0 vs 7.0).
Table view
| Axis | CEREC Software | exocad DentalCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 4.7 | 8.2 |
| Integrations | no data | 5.9 |
| Pricing clarity | 2.0 | 8.0 |
| Support | 4.0 | no data |
| Vendor stability | 10.0 | 7.0 |
| User rating | no data | 9.6 |
Axis by axis
- Features 4.7 vs 8.2 exocad DentalCAD
- Integrations – vs 5.9 no data
- Pricing clarity 2.0 vs 8.0 exocad DentalCAD
- Support 4.0 vs – no data
- Vendor stability 10.0 vs 7.0 CEREC Software
- User rating – vs 9.6 no data
CEREC Software or exocad DentalCAD: which should you choose?
These serve different jobs. CEREC Software is chairside software for same-visit crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers, built to work with Primescan and CEREC mills. Its Biojaw algorithm proposes the restoration so the dentist edits rather than designs from scratch. It is sold only as part of a CEREC system.
exocad DentalCAD is open lab CAD covering nearly every indication, including dentures, bars and partial frameworks, with scans and output from most brands. A US reseller listed it from $5,800 perpetual or $3,530 a year on Flex. exocad also makes ChairsideCAD for clinics.
A practice buying a complete single-visit system from Dentsply Sirona will use CEREC Software. A lab, or a clinic that wants to mix scanner, mill and printer brands, needs exocad.
Reviewed under the standards of our Editorial Board
What our reviews say
CEREC Software
The chairside design software behind single-visit crowns with Primescan and CEREC mills: largely automated, easy to learn, and tied to Dentsply Sirona hardware. Sold as part of a CEREC system, not priced alone.
Strengths- Biojaw algorithm proposes a patient-specific restoration from the scan
- Guided workflow with a low learning curve
- Direct link to CEREC Primemill, CEREC MC and SpeedFire
- Built for the Dentsply Sirona ecosystem
- Price only as part of a CEREC system quote
- DS Core cloud features need a paid subscription
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
| CEREC Software | exocad DentalCAD | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Index | 5.2 | 7.5 |
| Category rank | #5 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 | Desktop |
| Company size | 10001+ | 201–500 |
| Markets | US | global |
| Data completeness | 73% | 73% |
Features
11 of 17 tracked capabilities differ. Only CEREC Software: ai crown proposal and material library. Only exocad DentalCAD: implant bars, full arch, full dentures, and partial frameworks.
| Capability | CEREC Software | 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 CEREC Software if…
- Dentists doing same-day crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers
- Practices that own or plan to buy Primescan and a CEREC mill
- Clinicians who want the software to propose the design with minimal editing
- 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 implant bars
- you need full arch
FAQ
Is CEREC Software better than exocad DentalCAD?
exocad DentalCAD leads on the overall Data Index (7.5 vs 5.2). On the 3 axes where both have evidence, CEREC Software wins 1, exocad DentalCAD wins 2. Clearest gaps: pricing clarity (exocad DentalCAD 8.0 vs 2.0), features (exocad DentalCAD 8.2 vs 4.7), and vendor stability (CEREC Software 10.0 vs 7.0).