Open Dental Alternative

Open Dental Alternative — All-in-One
Cloud Dental Software

Looking for an Open Dental alternative? Open Dental’s $199/mo license is just the start. Add server hardware, managed IT, clearinghouse fees, and backups — and you’re looking at $549–749/mo before patient engagement tools. tab32 gives you a complete cloud PMS starting at $125/mo.

See tab32 Pricing
No charge for 14 days — try tab32 risk-free.
$3,000+
avg. saved per year on core PMS
$0
server costs with tab32
14 days
free trial, no commitment
20+
PMS systems we migrate from
Trusted by 1,000+ dental practices across California, Texas, Florida, New York, and 40+ states.
Feature Comparison

How Does tab32 Compare to Open Dental?

tab32 is a cloud-based dental PMS starting at $225/mo that includes imaging, scheduling, charting, and payments with no server required. Open Dental is a server-based PMS at $199/mo that requires additional infrastructure costing $300–500/mo.

A side-by-side look at what you get with each platform across 30+ features in 5 categories.

Feature tab32 Open Dental
Clinical Tools
Odontogram & Perio Charting ✓ ✓
Treatment Planning ✓ ✓
Integrated ImagingBuilt-in, no separate software ✓ ✓
AI Voice ChartingDictate clinical notes hands-free ✓ ✗
AI Voice PerioChart perio exams by voice ✓ ✗
ePrescription (eRx) ✓ ✓
Practice Management
Scheduling ✓ ✓
Reporting & Analytics ✓ ✓
Intra-Office Chat ✓ Limited
Insurance Claims Processingtab32 includes claims; OD needs third-party ✓ Third-party required
ERA/EOB Auto-PostingAI-powered scan and post with tab32 ✓ Manual / 80%+ more clicks
Real-Time Insurance VerificationInstant eligibility checks ✓ Third-party add-on
Patient Engagement
Automated Appointment Reminders Add-on $165/mo eServices Bundle
Two-Way Texting Add-on $165/mo eServices Bundle
Online Self-Scheduling Add-on $165/mo eServices Bundle
Patient Portal Add-on $165/mo eServices Bundle
Online Forms / eClipboard Add-on $165/mo eServices Bundle
Email Marketing ✓ ✗
Payments & Revenue
Online Payments ✓ ✗
In-Person Card Payments ✓ Third-party integration
Store Cards on File ✓ ✗
Billing & Collections Tools ✓ ✓
Infrastructure & Support
Cloud-BasedAccess from anywhere, no server needed ✓ ✗ Server required
Automatic Updates ✓ ✗ Manual / IT needed
HIPAA-Compliant Hosting ✓ Your responsibility
Automatic Backups ✓ Your responsibility
Data Migration from Open DentalWe handle the switch for you ✓ —
True Cost

How Much Does Open Dental Really Cost per Month?

A typical single-location practice pays $549–749/mo for Open Dental once you add server hardware, managed IT support ($300–500/mo), and clearinghouse fees (~$50/mo) to the $199/mo license. tab32 starts at $225/mo with no server or IT costs.

Server cost sources: Pact-One Solutions, StimulusTech

Here's what each platform actually costs when you add up every line item.

tab32 Alpine

Simple, Predictable Pricing

$225/mo
Established Practice plan (Year 1 Start-Up: $125/mo). No server. No IT contracts. No surprise line items.
  • Cloud PMS LicenseIncluded
  • Imaging (built-in)Included
  • Scheduling & ChartingIncluded
  • Payments & BillingIncluded
  • Server & IT$0 (cloud)
  • Backups & Disaster RecoveryIncluded
  • ClearinghousePay-per-use
Patient engagement tools (texting, reminders, online booking, patient portal) available as add-ons — pay only for what you use.
Estimated Monthly Total ~$225
Open Dental

Hidden Costs Add Up

$199/mo
That's just the license. Server, IT, and clearinghouse are all extra — and required to run.
  • PMS License$199/mo
  • Imaging SoftwareSeparate
  • Scheduling & ChartingIncluded
  • Payments & BillingIncluded
  • Server + IT Support$300–500/mo
  • Backups & Disaster RecoveryYour responsibility
  • Clearinghouse (DentalXChange)~$50/mo
Patient engagement tools (texting, reminders, online booking, patient portal) require the $165/mo eServices Bundle.
Estimated Monthly Total $549–749/mo

Estimates based on a typical single-location practice with ~200 claims/month. Server + IT estimate ($300–500/mo) includes hardware amortization, managed IT services, and maintenance based on industry data from Pact-One Solutions and StimulusTech. Open Dental license pricing from opendental.com. Clearinghouse estimate based on DentalXChange at ~$0.25/claim. Actual costs vary by practice size and location.

Why Cloud Matters

Do You Need a Server with Open Dental?

Yes. Open Dental requires an on-premise server that costs $300–500/mo to own, maintain, and support. tab32 is 100% cloud-based — no server hardware, no IT contracts, no backup drives.

Here's why going cloud-native matters for your practice.

☁️

Access from Anywhere

Check schedules, review patient records, and manage billing from any device with an internet connection — at the office, at home, or on the go.

💰

No Server Costs

Eliminate the $1,800+/yr expense of server hardware, maintenance contracts, and IT support. tab32 handles hosting, security, and uptime for you.

🔒

HIPAA-Compliant Security

Your data is encrypted, backed up automatically, and stored in HIPAA-compliant data centers. No more worrying about hard drive failures or ransomware.

🔄

Automatic Updates

New features and security patches roll out automatically — no scheduling downtime, no waiting for your IT person, no version conflicts.

📈

Scales with You

Adding a location or provider? No new server needed. tab32 grows with your practice without infrastructure headaches.

⚡

Built-In Disaster Recovery

Floods, fires, and power outages don't take your data with them. Your practice data is safe in the cloud, accessible the moment you're back online.

Switching is Simple

We Handle the Migration for You

Moving from Open Dental to tab32 doesn't mean starting over. We migrate your patient data, images, and documents — and your practice doesn't need to close for a single extra day.

1
Data Export
We collect your Open Dental data securely — patient records, treatment history, images.
2
Setup & Configure
Customize tab32 to match your workflows — schedules, templates, fee schedules, forms.
3
Team Training
Live remote training for your full team. Sessions are recorded for future reference.
4
Go Live
Final data sync happens overnight. You open the next morning on tab32 — no downtime.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about switching from Open Dental to tab32.

How much does tab32 actually cost compared to Open Dental?
tab32 starts at $125/mo in Year 1 for new practices (up to 3 providers) and $225/mo for established practices or Year 2+. That includes your cloud PMS, imaging, scheduling, payments, and backups. Patient engagement tools (texting, reminders, online booking, forms) are available as add-ons. Open Dental's $199/mo license requires a server and managed IT ($300–500/mo) plus clearinghouse (~$50/mo) — bringing their core cost to $549–749/mo before engagement tools ($165/mo eServices Bundle).
Can I migrate my data from Open Dental to tab32?
Yes. tab32 supports full data migration from Open Dental, including patient records, treatment history, images, and documents. Our migration team handles the entire process, and your practice doesn't need to close for any additional days beyond a normal weekend.
Do I need a server with tab32?
No. tab32 is 100% cloud-based. There's no server to buy, maintain, or replace. No IT contracts. No backup drives. Everything runs in HIPAA-compliant cloud data centers with automatic backups and disaster recovery built in.
Does tab32 offer texting, reminders, and online booking?
Yes. tab32 offers automated appointment reminders, two-way texting, online self-scheduling, patient portal, and digital forms as add-on services — so you only pay for what you need. With Open Dental, all of these features require the separate $165/mo eServices Bundle.
What about claims and attachments?
tab32 offers claims processing, attachment handling, and ERA/EOB auto-posting through PiAI Services — all pay-per-use with no minimums. Open Dental requires a separate clearinghouse login (typically DentalXChange) at around $0.25/claim, and EOB processing involves significantly more manual steps.
Does tab32 have AI features?
Yes. tab32's PiAI Services include AI Voice Scribes for hands-free clinical notes, AI Voice Perio for charting perio exams by voice, real-time insurance verification, and ERA/EOB scan auto-posting. These are all available as pay-per-use add-ons — you only pay for what you use. Open Dental does not offer native AI features.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. tab32 offers a 14-day free trial with full access to the platform. No charge until your trial ends, and no long-term contracts.

Ready to See the Difference?

Start your free 14-day trial or talk to our team about switching from Open Dental.

Start Free Trial
No charge for 14 days — try tab32 risk-free. Cancel anytime.
Close