Eaglesoft vs Curve Dental (2025)
The server-to-cloud migration question, answered. If your Eaglesoft contract or server is expiring, this comparison gives you the full picture before you decide.
The Short Answer
Stick with Eaglesoft if: You're a committed Patterson customer, rely on Patterson Imaging, or have Eaglesoft-trained staff who are resistant to retraining.
Switch to Curve Dental if: Your server is aging, you're adding providers, or you want to eliminate IT overhead. Most practices find the migration saves them money within 12 months.
Get a Free Curve Dental Migration Consultation →| Feature | Eaglesoft | ⭐ Curve Dental |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Server (Windows) | Cloud (browser) |
| Starting Price | $400+/mo + server | $350/mo all-in |
| Server Required | Yes — $5k–$15k hardware | No |
| IT Maintenance | Required | None |
| Automatic Updates | Manual (scheduled downtime) | Automatic, zero downtime |
| Patient Online Booking | Via add-on | Built-in |
| ERA Auto-posting | Yes | Yes — stronger |
| Imaging | Best with Patterson Imaging | Dexis, Apteryx, Acteon, Carestream |
| Multi-location | Possible but complex | Native support |
| Overall Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.7/5 ⭐ |
True Cost Comparison
At first glance, Eaglesoft at $400/month looks cheaper than Curve Dental at $350/month. But that ignores the server. A Windows Server for a dental office (with RAID backup, proper specs for imaging) costs $7,000–$12,000, typically refreshed every 4–5 years. That's $140–$250/month in hardware amortization, plus IT support ($75–$150/month average for managed IT in dental).
Add it up: Eaglesoft true cost = $615–$800/month. Curve Dental = $350/month. The cloud platform is cheaper for most practices within 12–18 months.
Data Migration: What to Expect
Migrating from Eaglesoft to Curve Dental takes 4–8 weeks for a typical practice under 5,000 active patients. Curve's migration team handles the data conversion; your Eaglesoft data (patients, ledger, charting history) comes over. Imaging files require a separate process and may stay in your existing imaging software temporarily.
The practical reality: most practices schedule the migration over a weekend and are fully operational on Curve by Monday morning. There's a 2–4 week learning curve for staff, most pronounced at the front desk.
The Patterson Ecosystem Factor
If you buy supplies through Patterson and use Patterson Imaging (Cliniview), Eaglesoft's integrations are genuinely tighter. Switching to Curve doesn't require leaving Patterson for supplies, but the imaging bridge adds a configuration step. Verify your specific imaging system compatibility with Curve before committing.
Ready to See What the Switch Would Look Like for Your Practice?
Curve Dental offers free migration consultations — no commitment, just a clear picture of what the process and cost would look like.
Book Free Curve Dental Demo →