Healthcare · head to head
Practice Fusion vs Softdent
The short version
- Only Practice Fusion has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Practice Fusion cloud-based architecture requires constant internet connectivity; Softdent now supported as a Carestream Dental product (softdent.com redirects to carestreamdental.com); no pricing is published, only support and installation scheduling links
- They diverge on capability: Practice Fusion covers Electronic Health Records, Softdent covers Patient scheduling.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Practice Fusion and Softdent actually diverge.
| Attribute | Practice Fusion | Softdent |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $249/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Ios, Android, Windows |
| Category | Healthcare | Dental |
| Founded | 2005 | 2010 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Practice Fusion
- Electronic Health Records
- e-Prescribing
- Lab Orders
- Patient Portal
- Scheduling
- Labs
- Pharmacies
- Imaging Centers
Only in Softdent
- Patient scheduling
- Electronic health records
- Clinical charting
- Imaging integration
- Billing and invoicing
- Treatment planning
- Insurance claims
- Inventory management
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Practice Fusion
- Small to medium medical practicesnot Softdent
- Primary care clinicsnot Softdent
- Independent clinicians needing electronic chartingnot Softdent
- Practice management and billing workflowsnot Softdent
Softdent
- Practice managementnot Practice Fusion
- Patient schedulingnot Practice Fusion
- Clinical documentationnot Practice Fusion
- Financial managementnot Practice Fusion
- Multi-location coordinationnot Practice Fusion
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Practice Fusion
- Cloud-based architecture requires constant internet connectivity
- Requires annual commitment for pricing
Softdent
- Now supported as a Carestream Dental product (softdent.com redirects to carestreamdental.com); no pricing is published, only support and installation scheduling links
Pricing, plan by plan
Practice Fusion
Free- Standard$199/month
- Provider license with e-prescribing and chart signing
- 3 signing staff licenses included
- Unlimited non-signing staff licenses
Softdent
$249/month- Starter$249/month
- Patient scheduling
- Clinical records
- Billing basics
- Professional$399/month
- Everything in Starter
- Advanced imaging integration
- Treatment planning tools
- Enterprise$599/month
- Everything in Professional
- Multi-location management
- Advanced analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose Practice Fusion if
- You need electronic health records.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want e-prescribing.
Choose Softdent if
- You need patient scheduling.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
- You also want electronic health records.
Questions people ask
- Is Practice Fusion or Softdent better?
- Neither clearly leads. Practice Fusion starts at Free and Softdent at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Practice Fusion or Softdent?
- Practice Fusion has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Practice Fusion and $249/month for Softdent.
- Does Practice Fusion or Softdent run on more platforms?
- Practice Fusion runs on Web, iOS, Android. Softdent runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
- Can I use Practice Fusion for free?
- Yes. Practice Fusion has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Softdent starts at $249/month.
- What is Practice Fusion best used for?
- Practice Fusion is most often used for small to medium medical practices, primary care clinics, independent clinicians needing electronic charting, practice management and billing workflows. Of those, small to medium medical practices and primary care clinics are not what Softdent is typically brought in for.
- What can Practice Fusion do that Softdent cannot?
- Practice Fusion covers Electronic Health Records, e-Prescribing, Lab Orders, Patient Portal. Softdent covers Patient scheduling, Electronic health records, Clinical charting, Imaging integration. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Practice Fusion: How much does Practice Fusion cost?
Practice Fusion starts at $199 per month per provider with an annual commitment required. The pricing includes 3 signing staff licenses and unlimited non-signing staff licenses.
SourcePractice Fusion: Does Practice Fusion offer a free trial?
Yes, Practice Fusion offers a complimentary 2-week trial with no commitment, no upfront costs, and no credit card required.
SourceRelated pages
More on Practice Fusion
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