Dental Practice Software Comparison: Which System Wins (and Why Memberships Make Them All Better)

September 29, 2025
Topics: Dental
Written by: Keilani

The Battle of the Dental Titans

Picking the right dental practice software can feel like online dating:

  • Everyone looks shiny in the profile pics.

  • They all “claim” to be the best.

  • But behind the scenes? Some are rockstars and others are disasters.

That’s why a dental practice software comparison isn’t just helpful—it’s survival. Because the wrong system means chaos, lost patients, and crying into your coffee over unpaid insurance claims ☕.

But here’s the kicker: even the “best” software is just a fancy filing cabinet until you pair it with a membership program. That’s when your software stops being overhead and starts being a profit engine.


How Dr. Nguyen Turned Software Into a Money Machine

Dr. Nguyen ran a bustling practice in Arizona. She used Dentrix—solid system, plenty of features. But here was the problem:

  • 80% of her revenue came from insurance.

  • Collections were slow, margins thinner than dental floss.

  • Patients dropped off after treatment plans because of unpredictable costs.

Then she discovered BoomCloud™. Instead of switching systems, she integrated memberships:

  • 400 patients joined her in-house plan in Year 1.

  • $16,000 MRR → $192,000 ARR.

  • Membership patients spent 3.5X more per year.

  • Insurance reliance dropped to 50%.

Now her dental practice software isn’t just managing patients—it’s printing predictable revenue.


The Shift From Managing to Monetizing

Old Belief: Dental software is about scheduling, billing, and keeping records straight.
New Belief: Dental software + membership = recurring revenue, loyalty, and freedom.

That’s the lightbulb moment . Once you stop treating software like an expense and start treating it like a growth engine, your practice transforms.


Dental Practice Software Comparison: The Heavyweights

Here’s a breakdown of the top systems (and what they’re missing).

Software Strengths Weaknesses Membership Friendly?
Dentrix Powerful features, widely used, integrates with many add-ons. Complex, steep learning curve, $$$. Needs external add-on (like BoomCloud™).
Eaglesoft Good imaging integration, reliable reporting. Outdated UI, limited flexibility. Needs external add-on.
Open Dental Affordable, open-source, customizable. Steeper setup, requires IT knowledge. Perfect with BoomCloud™.
Curve Dental 100% cloud-based, easy to use, good mobility. Fewer customizations, subscription pricing. Pairs well with BoomCloud™.
Carestream Strong imaging + charting. Expensive, slower updates. Membership features not built-in.

Bottom line: They all manage your practice. NONE of them maximize your revenue. That’s why BoomCloud™ exists.


The Missing Link in Every Comparison: Recurring Revenue

Here’s what most dentists miss:

  • PMS tracks patients.

  • PMS schedules appointments.

  • PMS sends bills.

But PMS does NOT:

  • Automate recurring billing

  • Build in-house membership programs

  • Track MRR (monthly recurring revenue) & ARR (annual recurring revenue)

  • Show you real-time revenue per patient metrics

Without memberships, your dental software is like Netflix without shows—useless.


Data That’ll Make You Spit Out Your Coffee ☕

  • Membership patients spend 2–4X more than uninsured ones.

  • 200 patients @ $40/month = $8,000 MRR → $96,000 ARR.

  • Retention rates improve by 60% with membership programs (Harvard Business Review).

  • Practices optimizing revenue per patient grow 3–5X faster.

That’s not hype. That’s math. And math = money.


Supercharge ANY Dental Practice Software with BoomCloud™

Forget switching systems. Instead, use BoomCloud™ to:

  • Automate billing + payment plans.

  • Launch membership programs patients love.

  • Track MRR, ARR & churn instantly.

  • Reduce dependence on soul-crushing insurance.

  • Boost loyalty with family plans, perks, and renewals.

BoomCloud™ turns ANY dental practice software into a growth engine.


Cool Ideas for Combining PMS + BoomCloud™

  • Email Automation: Send membership offers to uninsured patients in your system.

  • Chairside Enrollment: Offer plans during treatment acceptance.

  • ‍‍ Family Membership Bundles: Keep households loyal for years.

  • VIP Tiers: Offer silver, gold, and platinum membership perks.

  • MRR Tracking: Finally know what predictable revenue looks like.


Case Study: Practice A vs Practice B

Practice A – Just PMS:

  • $100K/month revenue

  • 85% insurance reliance

  • Avg patient spend: $1,000/year

  • Predictable revenue: ❌

Practice B – PMS + BoomCloud™:

  • $145K/month revenue

  • $25K MRR → $300K ARR

  • Avg patient spend: $2,400/year

  • Predictable revenue: ✅

Which doctor’s retiring early? Exactly.


Don’t Just Compare—Upgrade

The truth about dental practice software comparison?
They’re all solid. Some are fancier. Some are cheaper. But none of them solve the biggest problem in dentistry: predictable revenue.

That’s where BoomCloud™ changes the game. It takes your existing PMS and makes it profitable.


Mic Drop: The Future of Dentistry = Predictability

  • PMS keeps you organized ️

  • BoomCloud™ makes you profitable

  • Together = loyal patients, bigger margins, predictable freedom


Next Steps: Build Your Membership Empire

My Top Podcasts

How Smart Practice Owners Attract, Retain & Create Recurring Revenue

Get the book that’s helping over 65,000  practices ditch insurance, boost cash flow, and create financial freedom with a patient membership program.

Membership Plans For Optometrists

vision-membership-plan-ebook Creating a patient membership plan is the smartest strategy to implement in your practice. You will increase patient satisfaction & loyalty, Increase predictable recurring revenue & increase sales!

Fire The PPOs!

Say goodbye to PPOs and hello to a thriving, independent dental practice. Don’t miss out – your journey to financial freedom starts here!

Subscribe to Our Podcasts!

Jordon Comstock

Author Bio

Jordon Comstock is the Founder & CEO of BoomCloud™, a software that allows practice, clinic & spa owners to build, manage and scale a membership program. This helps practice & clinic owners to create recurring revenue & improve loyalty via membership programs. Jordon is passionate about Music, Hawaii, Healthcare businesses like: dentistry, optometry, med spas and massage spas. Schedule a demo of BoomCloud™ and learn how membership programs can improve your business. Here are more dental books to improve your practice

Calculate Your Potential

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Recurring Revenue Growth Calculator

Discover the revenue potential of your practice’s membership plans. This calculator helps you project growth by analyzing key factors like patient volume, plan pricing, and service utilization. See how implementing a custom plan can boost your bottom line.

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 PPO Loss Calculator – How Much are YOU Losing?

Calculate the hidden costs of relying on traditional PPO plans. Our PPO Loss Calculator reveals the revenue you could be missing out on and helps you strategize for greater profitability with a membership-based model.

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