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Head-to-head · Dental Appointment Scheduling Software

Open Dental vs Dentrix Ascend

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 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
Dentrix Ascend #6 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Dentrix Ascend

Open Dental leads on 0 checks, Dentrix Ascend on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 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
  • Free planonly Open Dental

Open Dental scores higher on our rubric for dental appointment scheduling software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

On deployment, Open Dental gives you Hybrid where Dentrix Ascend offers Cloud.

Open Dental is the better fit for budget-conscious practices needing broad coverage. Dentrix Ascend is the better fit for cloud practices needing multi-location management.

  • Open Dental fits best

    Budget-conscious practices needing broad coverage

  • Dentrix Ascend fits best

    Cloud practices needing multi-location management

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 ↗ Dentrix Ascend 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software #6 in Dental Appointment Scheduling Software
Best for Budget-conscious practices needing broad coverage Cloud practices needing multi-location management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $20/site/mo Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web, iOS
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Phone, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance HIPAA SOC 2, HIPAA, 2FA
Integrations 6 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Open Dental 4/4 · Dentrix Ascend 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
  • Online booking, provider calendars, reminders, and digital intake
  • Centralized patient data and scheduling across multiple locations
  • Clinical, insurance, billing, analytics, and API integration tools
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
  • Pricing requires contacting the vendor
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of scheduling-only practices
  • The documented integration is through the Henry Schein One API Exchange
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 →

Dentrix Ascend is a web-based dental practice management system for private practices, group practices, and dental service organizations. It combines appointment scheduling, provider calendars, patient self-scheduling, automated reminders,…

Read the review →
  1. Open DentalDental Appointment Scheduling Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Dentrix AscendDental Appointment Scheduling Software 8.8Pricing on request

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

  • Dentrix Ascend — where it wins

    • Online booking, provider calendars, reminders, and digital intake
    • Centralized patient data and scheduling across multiple locations
    • Clinical, insurance, billing, analytics, and API integration tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting the vendor
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of scheduling-only practices
    • The documented integration is through the Henry Schein One API Exchange

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