Orthodontic software comparison (2026)
How OrthoRecords compares to Dolphin Imaging, Cloud 9 Ortho, topsOrtho, and Ortho2 Edge on the things buyers actually ask about: monthly fees, trials, AI, photo workflow, mobile access, and whether you get to keep the practice management system you already run.
| Feature | OrthoRecords | Dolphin Imaging / Management | Cloud 9 Ortho | topsOrtho | Ortho2 Edge Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Published monthly pricing | From $199/mo, published | Custom quote (3rd parties report ~$399+/user/mo) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Free trial | 90 days, no credit card | Demo only | Demo only | Demo only | Demo only |
| Implementation / setup fees | None — self-serve setup | Implementation + training fees reported | Onboarding via vendor | Onboarding via vendor | Onboarding via vendor |
| Fully cloud — runs in any browser | Desktop/server-based | Mac-based | |||
| Keeps your existing PMS | Clinical layer beside any PMS | Sold as the management suite | Is the PMS | Is the PMS | Is the PMS |
| Open Dental integration | Automatic sync via OD API | ||||
| Photo capture on any phone (QR-guided) | No app, no login | Tethered/workstation workflows | Varies by setup | iPad-centric | Varies by setup |
| AI cephalometric tracing | Built in, doctor-verified | Module / add-on | Not core | Via integrations | Via integrations |
| AI case review / second opinion | Built in | ||||
| Digital proposal acceptance (link, any device) | Timestamped, no patient app | Via add-on modules | Via patient portal | Via patient portal | Via patient portal |
| Treatment pipeline tracking with overdue flags | |||||
| Mobile access | Any device with a browser | Remote add-ons | Companion apps | ||
| Built for GPs doing ortho as well as orthodontists | Specialist suites |
Competitor characterizations are generalized from vendor websites and third-party review platforms (Capterra, Software Advice, ITQlick) as of June 2026. Custom-quoted products vary by configuration, practice size, and edition; capabilities change with releases. Dolphin, Cloud 9, topsOrtho, and Ortho2 are trademarks of their respective owners, and OrthoRecords is not affiliated with any of them. Verify current pricing and features directly with each vendor before purchasing.
The honest summary
The established suites are excellent at being your entire practice platform — and you pay for that in quote-based pricing, implementation projects, and a system migration. OrthoRecords wins on a different axis: published pricing from $199/month, a 90-day self-serve trial, zero setup fees, AI built into the clinical workflow, photo capture on any phone, and no PMS migration — your scheduling and billing stay exactly where they are. If you want one vendor for everything, pick a suite. If you want specialist-grade ortho records running beside the system you already own, that's us.
Head-to-head
OrthoRecords vs Dolphin Imaging
Dolphin is the established enterprise standard — a deep desktop suite spanning imaging, management, and patient education, sold with implementation and training. It's a strong fit for large specialist practices that want one vendor for everything. OrthoRecords is the opposite shape: browser-based, self-serve, from $199/month with no setup fees, focused purely on the clinical record (photos, AI ceph, proposals, tracking) while your existing PMS keeps doing scheduling and billing.
OrthoRecords vs Cloud 9 Ortho
Cloud 9 is a full cloud practice-management system for orthodontic practices and OSOs — scheduling, billing, and clinical in one quote-priced platform. If you're an ortho-only practice looking to replace your PMS entirely, it's a legitimate option. If you want to keep your current PMS (especially Open Dental) and add specialist-grade ortho records with AI on top, that's exactly the job OrthoRecords was built for.
OrthoRecords vs topsOrtho
topsOrtho is a Mac-native practice management system known for speed and a loyal specialist user base. It requires Apple hardware and is sold as the whole practice platform. OrthoRecords runs in any browser on any device — Windows front desk, iPad in the operatory, any office phone for photo capture — and works beside whatever PMS you already own.
OrthoRecords vs Ortho2 Edge
Edge Cloud is Ortho2's cloud practice management suite with imaging and communication modules, quote-priced with vendor onboarding. As with the other suites, it's designed to be your everything. OrthoRecords is intentionally narrower and dramatically cheaper to adopt: published pricing, 90-day self-serve trial, AI ceph tracing and case review built in, and no migration of your scheduling or billing.
Coming from a desktop imaging suite? See the dedicated cloud alternative comparison. Running ortho in a general practice? Start with OrthoRecords for general dentists.
Frequently asked questions
How much does orthodontic software cost per month?
Published pricing is rare in this market. Most established suites (Dolphin, Cloud 9 Ortho, topsOrtho, Ortho2 Edge) sell by custom quote; third-party review sites report figures in the range of $300–$500+ per month plus implementation and training fees that can run $1,000–$5,000. OrthoRecords publishes its pricing: plans start at $199/month, with no implementation fee and a 90-day free trial.
Which orthodontic software has a free trial?
Among the major orthodontic platforms, free trials are uncommon — Dolphin, Cloud 9, topsOrtho, and Ortho2 offer scheduled demos rather than self-serve trials. OrthoRecords offers a 90-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can run real cases before paying anything.
What is the best orthodontic software for a general dentist doing ortho?
General dentists usually need orthodontic clinical records — photo series, ceph analysis, proposals, case tracking — without replacing their existing practice management system. Full ortho suites are built to BE the practice management system, which makes them a poor fit for a GP running ortho alongside general dentistry. OrthoRecords runs as a clinical layer next to your current PMS, with automatic syncing for Open Dental practices.
Which orthodontic software includes AI?
AI capabilities vary widely. Some imaging suites offer automated cephalometric tracing as a module or add-on service. OrthoRecords builds AI into the core workflow at three points: AI-suggested cephalometric landmarks (verified point-by-point by the clinician), an AI second opinion that reviews the full case record before a proposal is sent, and an AI case review that cross-checks diagnosis, ceph findings, and the proposed plan.
Do I have to replace my practice management system to use orthodontic software?
With traditional ortho suites, usually yes — they bundle scheduling, billing, and clinical records as one platform. OrthoRecords takes the opposite approach: your scheduling and billing stay in the PMS you already run, and OrthoRecords handles the orthodontic clinical record alongside it. Open Dental practices get automatic patient, appointment, and ortho chart syncing.
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