Two main CAD giants in dentistry. Both can design crowns, bridges, implants, splints. Both cost serious money. And both sell roughly the same thing — but in completely different ways. Some swear by Exocad, others won't leave 3Shape for anything. Let's break down what's behind these positions and what you should actually choose — without marketing fluff.
Short verdict upfront
If you're a dental lab without your own scanners — go with Exocad DentalCAD. If you already have a TRIOS scanner in your clinic — go with 3Shape Dental System. If either option fits — take Exocad: cheaper long-term and doesn't tie you to one manufacturer.
Now for the details.
3Shape Dental System: integrated closed ecosystem
3Shape is a Danish company that makes its own scanners (TRIOS), its own CAD software (Dental System), its own modules (Implant Studio, Splint Studio, OrthoAnalyzer). Everything works in a single ecosystem designed to work together.
Strengths: unified workflow from intraoral scan to milled crown. If you have TRIOS — Dental System squeezes maximum out of it, with automatic case forwarding to dental labs, direct production integration. Interface quality is among the best on the market: clear from the first launch, few mysterious buttons.
Weaknesses: subscription model. 3Shape Dental System isn't sold as a license but as an annual service plan (LMS). Stop paying — the program becomes a brick within 30 days. Price: from 4-6 thousand euros per year for base plus modules. Closed ecosystem: formally the program is open to STL from third-party scanners, but in reality optimized for TRIOS.
Exocad DentalCAD: modular constructor
Exocad is a German company (Darmstadt, then Chemnitz — hence the version name). They make only CAD software, no scanners or printers. This is a deliberate position: the program works with any scanner, any printer, any mill.
Strengths: modular architecture. Base license covers crowns, bridges, veneers. Need implants? Buy Implant Module. Need dentures? FullDenture Module. Need smile previews for patients? Smile Creator. You pay only for what you use. Open STL format without proprietary wrappers — works with TRIOS, Medit, Carestream, Shining3D, any other scanner.
The key thing — licensing model. Exocad is bought **forever** (perpetual license). Pay once — use as long as you want. Version updates cost extra (Update Plan), but if you don't buy — the program keeps working on the current version.
Weaknesses: interface is overwhelming for beginners, learning curve steeper than 3Shape. Modules individually add up: base license + Implant Module + Model Creator already runs to 7-9 thousand euros. No native scanners — you need to buy them separately from other manufacturers.
Comparison by specific tasks
Single crowns and bridges up to 6 units: both programs do this identically. Differences are purely in ergonomics. 3Shape is faster for a beginner, Exocad is more flexible for an experienced technician.
Implant crowns: Exocad with Implant Module has a wider implant library (over 30 brands). 3Shape Implant Studio is more convenient to work with but supports fewer manufacturers.
Full-arch All-on-X prosthetics: 3Shape leads thanks to integration with OrthoAnalyzer and unified workflow from diagnostics to final prosthesis. Exocad can do all the same, but through 3-4 different modules.
Orthodontics (aligners, bracket positioning): 3Shape OrthoAnalyzer is the industry standard. Exocad is weaker in this area, orthodontists usually use separate programs like NemoCast or ArchForm.
Occlusal splints: both programs. Exocad Bite Splint Module leads in flexibility, 3Shape Splint Studio is easier to learn.
Hidden costs that sellers won't show you
**3Shape**: annual subscription (LMS) is mandatory — without it the program shuts down. Update service plan — separate line item. Every new module (Implant Studio, Splint Studio) — separate subscription. Over 5 years, total costs for one workstation can exceed 30 thousand euros.
**Exocad**: each module (Implant, Model Creator, FullDenture, Smile Creator, Bite Splint, TruSmile, Virtual Articulator) is purchased separately. A fully equipped Exocad license for a serious lab runs 12-18 thousand euros per workstation. Update Plan is optional, but without it you're stuck on one version.
Over 5 years Exocad usually comes out 30-40% cheaper than 3Shape — thanks to the perpetual licensing model.
Hardware requirements
Both programs require roughly the same hardware: Intel Core i7 12th generation processor, 32 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 3060 or higher graphics card, 1 TB NVMe SSD. More on computer configuration — in our article «Exocad DentalCAD system requirements».
3Shape additionally requires constant internet connection for license verification. Exocad can work offline with a USB dongle, which matters for labs with unreliable connectivity.
What I personally choose
If I were opening a lab from scratch right now and ready to spend 10-15 thousand euros on CAD software — I'd take Exocad DentalCAD base + Implant Module + Model Creator. This covers 90% of a lab's needs at the start. After a year of growth — I'd add FullDenture or Smile Creator. I'd save on annual subscriptions, not be tied to one scanner manufacturer, freely choose equipment.
If I already had a clinic with a TRIOS scanner and was doing 80% of work through my own scanner — I'd take 3Shape Dental System. No point fighting the ecosystem, better work within it.
Installation and activation
Both Exocad and 3Shape Dental System are enterprise-grade software. Self-installation takes 3-6 hours: unpacking the distribution, license activation (dongle or online), connecting implant libraries (separate procedure for each brand), configuring export to mill or printer, updating to the latest version.
We install Exocad DentalCAD and 3Shape Dental System remotely in 60-90 minutes. We connect all necessary implant libraries. Message us on Telegram @keys_helper or WhatsApp — we'll arrange a convenient time.
More on the remote installation process — in our article «How remote installation works». On comparison across the entire CAD/CAM market — article «Which CAD/CAM to choose in 2026».
