Dentrix vs Eaglesoft (2025)
The two dominant server-based dental software platforms compared. We cover pricing, support, integrations, and the honest answer to which one to choose — including when to skip both and go cloud.
TL;DR — Quick Verdict
- Choose Dentrix if: You need extensive third-party integrations, participate in complex government dental programs, or are hiring staff who already know Dentrix.
- Choose Eaglesoft if: You're a Patterson Dental customer, use Patterson imaging equipment, or want the option of in-person support.
- Consider Curve Dental or tab32 if: Your server lease is up, you're starting fresh, or you're tired of paying for IT. See our cloud picks →
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| Feature | Dentrix | Eaglesoft |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Server (Windows) | Server (Windows) |
| Starting Price | $500+/mo | $400+/mo |
| Pricing Model | Per operatory | Annual license |
| Cloud Option | Dentrix Ascend (separate) | Eaglesoft Online (limited) |
| Support | Phone/chat (mixed reviews) | Phone + in-person via Patterson |
| Imaging Integration | Wide third-party support | Best with Patterson Imaging |
| Third-Party Integrations | 400+ | 150+ |
| Medicaid/Gov Plans | Strong | Moderate |
| User Base | ~35,000 practices | ~11,000 practices |
| Overall Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.0/5 |
Pricing: The Real Numbers
Dentrix uses a per-operatory pricing model, which means a 4-chair practice pays more than a 2-chair practice even if patient volume is identical. Add a server ($5,000–$15,000 hardware cost amortized over 4–5 years), annual support contracts, and required updates, and total Dentrix cost for a 3-chair practice typically lands at $700–$1,100/month.
Eaglesoft uses annual licensing, which is less punishing for multi-operatory offices. Patterson bundles support into their rep relationship, which can help or hurt depending on the quality of your local rep. Expect $500–$800/month total for a comparable setup.
Support Experience
Support is where user sentiment diverges most. Dentrix support reviews have declined over the past 3 years as Henry Schein has pushed users toward self-service documentation. Eaglesoft benefits from Patterson's dealer network — in many markets, you can get a Patterson rep on-site within 24 hours, which is a real differentiator when your server goes down before a morning of patients.
The Cloud Elephant in the Room
Neither Dentrix nor Eaglesoft is a native cloud platform. Both have cloud offerings (Dentrix Ascend, Eaglesoft Online) but they were built as server-software retrofits rather than cloud-native architecture. If you're deciding between these two, also price out Curve Dental or tab32. Many practices switching off Dentrix or Eaglesoft end up saving money after eliminating server hardware and IT contracts.
Considering Cloud? Compare the top options.
Practices switching from server-based software to Curve Dental or tab32 typically save $200–$500/month after eliminating server costs.