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Head-to-head · Dental Appointment Scheduling Software

Open Dental vs CareStack

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Open Dental #1 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Open Dental
CareStack #5 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CareStack

Open Dental leads on 2 checks, CareStack on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpen Dental · 9.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceOpen Dental · $20/site/mo
  • Free planonly Open Dental

Open Dental scores higher on our rubric for dental appointment scheduling software: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Open Dental offers free plan; CareStack doesn't. Open Dental is cheaper to start at $20/mo against $829/mo. On deployment, Open Dental gives you Hybrid where CareStack offers Cloud.

Open Dental is the better fit for budget-conscious practices needing broad coverage. CareStack is the better fit for multi-location practices wanting a complete platform.

  • Open Dental fits best

    Budget-conscious practices needing broad coverage

  • CareStack fits best

    Multi-location practices wanting a complete platform

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Open Dental 9.4/10 Visit ↗ CareStack 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software #5 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software
Best for Budget-conscious practices needing broad coverage Multi-location practices wanting a complete platform
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $20/site/mo (best) $829/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance HIPAA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 6 integrations 20 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Open Dental 4/4 · CareStack 4/4
Patient self-booking ✓ ✓
Provider calendars ✓ ✓
Appointment reminders ✓ ✓
Online intake forms ✓ ✓
Specs
Location support Multi-location Multi-location
Deployment Hybrid Cloud
Our review
Pros
  • Online booking, reminders, forms, and recall scheduling
  • Supports multi-location clinics and provider and operatory schedules
  • Web, Windows, iOS, Android, API, and self-hosted deployment options
  • Multi-location scheduling with online booking, reminders and patient requests
  • Combines intake, charting, claims, payments, analytics and communications
  • Web, iOS, Android and API access with many dental integrations
Cons
  • United States initial rate is $199 per location per month
  • Open Dental Cloud is limited-release and available only in the US
  • Online scheduling features are separate monthly add-ons
  • Starting pricing of $829 per month limits value for smaller practices
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of scheduling-focused teams
  • AI clinical features require the $1,299-per-month Intelligence plan
Our verdict

Open Dental is dental practice management software for dental offices and multi-location organizations. It combines appointment scheduling with provider and operatory calendars, patient records, treatment planning, billing, insurance…

Read the review →

CareStack is cloud-based dental practice management software for single practices, multi-location groups, dental startups, specialists and DSOs. Its scheduling scope covers multi-specialty and multi-location calendars, online patient…

Read the review →
  1. Open DentalDental Appointment Scheduling Software 9.4Free plan
  2. CareStackDental Appointment Scheduling Software 8.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Open Dental — where it wins

    • Online booking, reminders, forms, and recall scheduling
    • Supports multi-location clinics and provider and operatory schedules
    • Web, Windows, iOS, Android, API, and self-hosted deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • United States initial rate is $199 per location per month
    • Open Dental Cloud is limited-release and available only in the US
    • Online scheduling features are separate monthly add-ons

  • CareStack — where it wins

    • Multi-location scheduling with online booking, reminders and patient requests
    • Combines intake, charting, claims, payments, analytics and communications
    • Web, iOS, Android and API access with many dental integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Starting pricing of $829 per month limits value for smaller practices
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of scheduling-focused teams
    • AI clinical features require the $1,299-per-month Intelligence plan

More comparisons

All dental appointment scheduling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update