NextGen Healthcare vs Open Dental: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for NextGen Healthcare and Open Dental side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Open Dental leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
NextGen Healthcare
Intelligent EHR, PM, Patient Experience, and RCMS for specialty practices.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces documentation time for providers with AI-powered tools
Open Dental
Comprehensive, customizable, and affordable practice management software for dental offices of any size.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive feature set for all aspects of dental practice management
| At a Glance | NextGen Healthcare | Open Dental |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | Not published |
Category | EHR/EMR Practice Management | Practice Management EHR/EMR |
Rating | 3.7/5 G2 3.7 163 reviews | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.6 · SourceForge 4.3 · G2 4.3 202 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose NextGen Healthcare or Open Dental?
Choose NextGen Healthcare if
- You want significantly reduces documentation time for providers with AI-powered tools
- You want offers comprehensive solutions tailored to a wide array of medical specialties
- You work in EHR/EMR, not practice management
Choose Open Dental if
- You want comprehensive feature set for all aspects of dental practice management
- You want highly customizable to fit specific practice needs
- You work in practice management, not EHR/EMR
In-Depth Analysis
NextGen Healthcare
Intelligent EHR, PM, Patient Experience, and RCMS for specialty practices.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces documentation time for providers with AI-powered tools.
- Pro: Offers comprehensive solutions tailored to a wide array of medical specialties.
- Pro: Enhances patient experience through integrated engagement and communication tools.
- Pro: Provides robust interoperability for seamless data exchange across systems.
- Pro: Scalable solutions available for both small and enterprise-level practices.
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific pricing details are not publicly available and require direct inquiry.
- Con: Requires integration and setup, which may involve a learning curve for new users.
Key features
Open Dental
Comprehensive, customizable, and affordable practice management software for dental offices of any size.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive feature set for all aspects of dental practice management.
- Pro: Highly customizable to fit specific practice needs.
- Pro: Affordable pricing for practices of any size.
- Pro: Extensive third-party integrations and interoperability.
- Pro: Active community forums and rapid release cycle for new features.
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires integration with third-party vendors for some advanced functionalities (e.g., AI for insurance verification).
- Con: Open Dental does not endorse or provide technical support for all third-party products.
- Con: Some features like 'Appointment Mirroring' are in beta.
Key features
Plans and prices: NextGen Healthcare vs Open Dental
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NextGen Healthcare |
| nextgen.com/pricingread Oct 1, 2026 |
| Open Dental | No plan prices on file | opendental.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on NextGen Healthcare pricing and Open Dental pricing.
Key Takeaways
NextGen Healthcare
- Choose if you want intelligent EHR, PM, Patient Experience, and RCMS for specialty practices
Open Dental
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 3.7/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Open Dental leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Open Dental has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 163 reviews for NextGen Healthcare, 4.4/5 from 202 reviews for Open Dental).
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do NextGen Healthcare and Open Dental compare in 2026?
On the data below, Open Dental leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Open Dental has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 163 reviews for NextGen Healthcare, 4.4/5 from 202 reviews for Open Dental).
What are NextGen Healthcare and Open Dental used for?
NextGen Healthcare: Intelligent EHR, PM, Patient Experience, and RCMS for specialty practices. Open Dental: Comprehensive, customizable, and affordable practice management software for dental offices of any size.
What does NextGen Healthcare cost vs Open Dental?
NextGen Healthcare has no public paid-plan price on file. Open Dental has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between NextGen Healthcare and Open Dental?
NextGen Healthcare's main strength: significantly reduces documentation time for providers with AI-powered tools. Open Dental's main strength: comprehensive feature set for all aspects of dental practice management.