Opening a dental practice is a major investment. The last thing you need is uncertainty around your software costs. Yet most vendors don't publish pricing — you'll need to request demos and have conversations before getting numbers.
TMR spent weeks researching what new practices actually pay, what they get, and what additional costs to plan for. Here is what we found.
The Three Worth Shortlisting
After analyzing pricing data, feature sets, review scores, and real-world feedback from startup practices, three platforms consistently rose to the top for brand-new offices.
1. Oryx -- The Startup Play ($1 Setup)
Oryx has made the most compelling move in the new-practice segment: a $1 setup fee with no patient management fees for the first 200 patients or the first year, whichever comes first. That is not a typo.
For a practice owner managing a significant buildout investment, free software for year one is a meaningful differentiator. Oryx is cloud-based, includes native imaging, AI voice perio charting, and an AI clinical scribe -- features that cost extra with other systems.
Worth noting: Oryx is a newer, emerging contender in the market. You're choosing a company with less market history than Dentrix or Eaglesoft. Their long-term pricing after the promo period is less transparent, and you should get post-promotional rates in writing before signing.
TMR Take: Oryx's $1 startup deal is the best entry point in the market right now, period. But get your post-year-one pricing locked down in the contract. Promotional pricing is most valuable when you know what comes next.
2. Open Dental -- The Transparency Champion
Open Dental is one of only two major vendors that actually publishes pricing on their website. That alone tells you something about their philosophy.
- Published, transparent pricing on their website
- The software offers direct database access and extensive customization -- it switched to a proprietary license in v24.4
- Full data access, flexible deployment options
- Strong review scores on Capterra and G2
Open Dental requires a local server, which means some upfront hardware investment. But you maintain full control of your data and have maximum flexibility going forward.
Best for: Practices comfortable with a modest IT setup who want maximum control and long-term cost savings.
TMR Take: Open Dental is the gold standard for pricing transparency in dental software. If you can handle the server setup (or partner with a managed IT provider), the total cost of ownership is very competitive. See our Open Dental review for current pricing.
3. MOGO -- The Simple Cloud Option
MOGO flies under the radar, but it deserves attention from small startup practices that want cloud simplicity without enterprise complexity.
- All-inclusive pricing (confirmed on Capterra)
- Hosted on Microsoft Azure
- Includes imaging and chairside documentation in the base price
- No per-user or per-provider upselling
- Best for small, straightforward practices
Worth noting: MOGO is Windows-only (no Mac, no mobile app). The feature set is more focused than CareStack or Dentrix. If you plan to grow to multiple locations quickly, you'll want to evaluate whether MOGO scales with your growth plans.
TMR Take: MOGO is the "it just works" option. With all-inclusive pricing, you know exactly what you are paying. No surprises, no add-on complexity. Ideal for a solo practitioner who wants to focus on dentistry, not software. See our MOGO review for current pricing.
Additional Costs to Plan For
Here is what vendors may not emphasize during the demo — but that you should factor into your budget.
Fees to Budget For in New Practices
| Fee Type | How It Affects You | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Per-provider charges | Adding an associate increases your bill | Varies by vendor |
| E-claims processing | Sometimes a separate subscription | Varies by vendor |
| Imaging module | Basic charting included, but imaging may cost extra | Varies by vendor |
| Patient communication | Texting, reminders, online scheduling | Often a separate vendor |
| Implementation/training | The subscription gets you software, not always setup | One-time investment |
| Data migration | Moving data to a new system if you switch | Varies by vendor |
A practice that budgets for just the base subscription may find the total monthly cost is higher once engagement tools, integrations, and per-provider fees are included. Always ask for the fully loaded cost.
TMR Take: Before you sign anything, ask one question: "What will my total monthly cost be with 2 providers, e-claims, imaging, patient texting, and online scheduling?" Getting a clear answer upfront saves time and avoids budget surprises.
Cloud vs. On-Premise for Startups
This is the first big architectural decision you will make, and it matters more than most vendors emphasize.
Cloud: Lower Entry, Predictable Monthly Cost
- No server hardware needed (saves significant upfront capital)
- Access from anywhere -- home, satellite location, your phone
- Vendor handles updates, backups, and security
- Monthly subscription model fits tight startup budgets
- Consideration: You're subscribing, not purchasing outright. Your access depends on the subscription.
On-Premise: Higher Entry, Potential Long-Term Savings
- Server hardware: an upfront investment
- IT support: a monthly managed services cost
- You own and control your data completely
- No internet dependency -- works during outages
- Consideration: Hardware needs replacement every 5-7 years. Security is your responsibility.
TMR's Recommendation for Startups
Go cloud. In 2026, over 60% of U.S. dental practices have already migrated to cloud services. The upfront savings matter when you are juggling a buildout, equipment purchases, and staff hiring. You can always migrate to on-premise later if your needs change.
The exception: if your location has unreliable internet, on-premise with a cloud backup solution is the safer bet. Losing access to patient records mid-procedure because your ISP went down is not acceptable.
What About the Established Players?
Dentrix
Dentrix is the market leader — widely adopted, comprehensive features, deep integrations. However, it represents a higher price point for startups. Pricing is available through consultation, and G2 data shows Dentrix is positioned at a premium tier compared to the average dental PMS. If you have experience with Dentrix from a previous role and want continuity, it's worth getting a quote. Otherwise, there are more budget-friendly options for a startup. See our Dentrix review for details.
Eaglesoft
Patterson's offering (Eaglesoft) has subscription options that can be competitive for single users. Implementation costs are an additional investment for small practices. Like Dentrix, Eaglesoft pricing is available through consultation. See our Eaglesoft review for details.
CareStack
CareStack is enterprise-grade software designed for larger organizations and growing groups. Its robust feature set may be more than a brand-new single-location practice needs on day one, though it's worth evaluating if you have multi-location growth plans. See our CareStack review for details.
The Bottom Line
| Software | Best For | Pricing Approach | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oryx | Startups wanting modern features at minimal initial cost | Promotional startup offer | Medium |
| Open Dental | Control-oriented owners comfortable with IT | Published on website | High |
| MOGO | Solo practitioners wanting simplicity | Published, all-inclusive | Medium |
| Dentrix | Established practices with larger budgets | Consultation-based | Low |
| Eaglesoft | Patterson equipment customers | Consultation-based | Low |
Our pick for most new practices in 2026: Oryx for year one, with a plan to evaluate Open Dental or MOGO at renewal time. The $1 setup deal lets you launch without software overhead while you focus on filling chairs and building a patient base.
But whatever you choose, get the total cost of ownership in writing. Not the starting price. Not the promotional rate. The real number -- with every add-on, every provider, every integration you will actually need.
Ready to compare? Check out our software comparison tool for side-by-side evaluations.