Top 10 Planet DDS Alternatives 2026

What reviewers like about CareStack

• Transparent pricing with minimal add-on fees
• Built-in automation for reminders, claims, payments, and reviews
• Scalable for solo, multi-location, and DSO practices

Where CareStack falls short

• May feel overwhelming for very small or startup clinics without dedicated staff
• Requires demo for exact pricing (not fully public)
• Steeper learning curve for teams switching from legacy systems

What reviewers like about Curve Hero

• Easy to use, with self-explanatory features that enhance productivity and patient interaction.
• Cloud-based accessibility allows secure logins from anywhere, aiding remote work and data access.
• Continuous updates based on user feedback, ensuring relevancy and user satisfaction.

Where Curve Hero falls short

• Limited customization features may require assistance for new users to explore fully.
• Some users find the marketplace for additional apps and connectors less extensive, limiting advanced functionalities.

What reviewers like about Dentrix Ascend

• Accessibility from anywhere, making it convenient for users to work remotely and access patient data easily.
• User-friendly interface with clear navigation, helping users quickly find the information they need.
• Efficient and fast system, enhancing productivity in scheduling, payment processing, and patient management.

Where Dentrix Ascend falls short

• Limited customer support and resources for learning, especially for small businesses, leading to self-learning and potential challenges.
• Issues with features like data transfer, storage limitations, and complex processes for adding new users, impacting user experience and workflow efficiency.
• Pricing can be steep for small group practices, and there are occasional bugs that need to be addressed for a smoother experience.

What reviewers like about axiUm

• axiUm excels in integrating academic and clinical workflows, making it highly suitable for dental schools and teaching hospitals that require seamless coordination between education and patient care.
• The platform offers robust security features such as user access controls, field-level auditing, and encryption, helping institutions remain compliant with regulations like HIPAA while protecting sensitive patient data.
• axiUm supports unlimited growth with multi-location and multi-provider capabilities, allowing institutions to expand without worrying about system limitations.

Where axiUm falls short

• Due to its wide range of features and modules, new users—especially faculty and students—may find onboarding and training time-consuming.
• While highly customizable, setting up and configuring advanced features may require additional technical support or consultancy, which could delay implementation.
• Although some integrations are available, institutions seeking broader connectivity with external systems may find the options less extensive compared to more open platforms.

What reviewers like about Lighthouse 360

• Streamlined communication with patients for appointment confirmations, reminders, and promotions.
• Dashboard and user-friendly interface, making it easy to schedule appointments and send automated messages.
• Efficient automated reminder system that reduces manual work and enhances patient awareness of appointments.

Where Lighthouse 360 falls short

• Lack of comprehensive customer support with long hold times and limitations in adding desired features.
• Some users find the software updates disruptive, causing confusion with reminders and lapses in functionality.
• Limited customization options for patient newsletters and website modifications.

What reviewers like about My Clients Plus

• MyClientsPlus is built specifically for mental health providers, ensuring that all workflows, from intake to discharge, align with therapy-focused needs.
• It offers a wide library of pre-built therapy note templates, including progress notes, assessments, and treatment plans, reducing documentation time.
• With electronic claims, invoicing, and out-of-network claim support, billing becomes simpler and faster for practitioners without needing billing expertise.

Where My Clients Plus falls short

• Some users may find restrictions in customizing templates or workflows to meet unique practice needs.
• While user-friendly overall, new practitioners may initially require time to adapt to all features.
• Compared to some competitors, integrations with third-party tools and platforms are less extensive.

What reviewers like about Cliniko

• Charity contribution
• 24/7 customer support
• User-friendly interface

Where Cliniko falls short

• Limited features for large practices
• May lack advanced functionalities
• Not suitable for all specialties

What reviewers like about Dolphin Imaging

• Integrates radiographs including CBCT and provides a side-by-side comparison tool.
• Supports clinical treatment planning with easy-to-navigate serial records and comprehensive review views.
• Staff support is responsive and respectful.

Where Dolphin Imaging falls short

• Capture/Scan and editing functions have navigation issues that make layout creation difficult.
• Slow load times and occasional crashes occur after sign-in or when switching between screens.
• Data field renaming is restricted, limiting customization.