Dentrix vs Open Dental
Verdict. Dentrix and Open Dental are level on the overall Data Index (7.4 vs 7.5). On the 6 axes where both have evidence, Dentrix wins 1, Open Dental wins 2 and 3 are tied. Clearest gaps: support (Open Dental 6.0 vs 2.0), vendor stability (Dentrix 9.0 vs 7.0), and user rating (Open Dental 9.0 vs 8.5). Users rate Open Dental higher (4.5 vs 4.3).
Table view
| Axis | Dentrix | Open Dental |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Integrations | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Pricing clarity | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Support | 2.0 | 6.0 |
| Vendor stability | 9.0 | 7.0 |
| User rating | 8.5 | 9.0 |
Axis by axis
- Features 7.1 vs 7.1 tie
- Integrations 10.0 vs 10.0 tie
- Pricing clarity 5.0 vs 5.0 tie
- Support 2.0 vs 6.0 Open Dental
- Vendor stability 9.0 vs 7.0 Dentrix
- User rating 8.5 vs 9.0 Open Dental
Side by side
| Dentrix | Open Dental | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Index | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Category rank | #2 of 16 · Server-based PMS | #1 of 16 · Server-based PMS |
| User rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Review count | 512 | 136 |
| Pricing transparency | Partially public | Partially public |
| License | Subscription | Quote only |
| Deployment | On-premise server | Cloud, Desktop |
| Open API | — | Yes |
| HIPAA claim | Yes | Yes |
| Company size | 1001-5000 | 201–500 |
| Markets | US | US, CA |
| Data completeness | 84% | 88% |
Features
2 of 11 tracked capabilities differ. Only Dentrix: perio charting. Only Open Dental: e-prescribing.
| Capability | Dentrix | Open Dental |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical charting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Perio charting | ✓ | ? |
| Voice perio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Treatment planning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time eligibility | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-claims | ✓ | ✓ |
| ERA auto-posting | ✓ | ✓ |
| e-Prescribing | ? | ✓ |
| Imaging bridge | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-location | ✓ | ✓ |
| CDT codes | ✓ | ✓ |
Choose Open Dental if…
- you need e-prescribing
- user satisfaction is your priority
FAQ
Is Dentrix better than Open Dental?
Dentrix and Open Dental are level on the overall Data Index (7.4 vs 7.5). On the 6 axes where both have evidence, Dentrix wins 1, Open Dental wins 2 and 3 are tied. Clearest gaps: support (Open Dental 6.0 vs 2.0), vendor stability (Dentrix 9.0 vs 7.0), and user rating (Open Dental 9.0 vs 8.5). Users rate Open Dental higher (4.5 vs 4.3).