Best dental software for small practices
Small practices have different needs than large DSOs — lower budgets, less IT support, and a need for software that is quick to learn. These three tools consistently rank highest among independent dentists and small group practices.
O
Open Dental
Practice management
Free960
Open source practice management with strong community support.
C
Curve Dental
Practice management
Paid540
Cloud-based dental practice management built for modern practices.
Side-by-side comparison
| Open Dental | Curve Dental | Weave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Paid | Paid |
| Category | Practice management | Practice management | Patient communication |
| Reviews | 960 | 540 | 780 |
Which should you use?
Use Open Dental if budget is the primary concern — it is free and full-featured. Use Curve Dental if you want a modern cloud system without a large upfront investment. Use Weave alongside your PMS if patient communication and recall are your biggest pain points.