Dental Lab Operating System
vs 3Shape LMS
Are you looking for a "Management Software" or a true "Operating System"?
See the breakdown of pricing, features, and freedom from vendor lock-in.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SimpleLabOS | 3Shape LMS |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $29/mo | From €79/mo* |
| Setup Fee | $0 | Not published |
| Works with ANY Scanner | Ask 3Shape | |
| Case intake from 3Shape | ||
| Case intake from iTero | ||
| Case intake from Medit | ||
| Inventory Management | Ask 3Shape | |
| Contract Required | None | Flexible |
* 3Shape publishes its LMS entry price as "from €79/month" for 100 cases — in euros, not dollars — and presents it as a limited-time discounted rate alongside a "2 months free" promotion. Higher case volumes move you up a tier, and regional pricing is handled through a 3Shape reseller, so confirm the current figure and currency with the vendor. SimpleLabOS pricing is published in US dollars on our pricing page.
What is the difference?
3Shape LMS (The "Ecosystem" Choice)
3Shape LMS (formerly LabStar) is a powerful tool designed to keep you within the 3Shape ecosystem. It is excellent if your lab is 100% 3Shape—scanners, design software, and production. However, the moment you step outside that ecosystem (receiving an iTero scan, using Exocad, buying a generic mill), the "seamless" integration starts to break down.
SimpleLabOS (The "Operating System" Choice)
SimpleLabOS is built on a different philosophy: Open Architecture. We believe a modern lab operating system should be the neutral hub that connects everything. Whether your doctor sends a Medit Link file, an iTero scan, or an email attachment, SimpleLabOS standardizes it into a single, unified production workflow.
Pricing Transparency
3Shape publishes an entry price of "from €79/month" for 100 cases, flagged as a limited-time discount. Above that, pricing is tiered by case volume, and regional pricing runs through a reseller — so the number you actually pay depends on your volume, your region, and when you sign.
SimpleLabOS publishes its plans in US dollars from $29/mo. $0 setup fee. No annual contract.
True Independence
Don't let your software dictate your hardware. 3Shape LMS incentivizes you to buy more 3Shape gear.
SimpleLabOS works with whatever tools you choose to buy today or tomorrow.
Real-World Case Study: Small Lab Growth
Scenario: A 5-person lab was evaluating 3Shape LMS vs SimpleLabOS. They had 3Shape design software but received scans from 5 different intraoral scanner brands.
- With 3Shape LMS: They would have needed to manually handle non-3Shape scans, breaking the "workflow automation" promise. Cost: the volume tier above the €79 entry rate, quoted through a reseller.
- With SimpleLabOS: They used the "Universal Inbox" to auto-create cases from the scanner notification emails their doctors already send. Cost: $29/mo, published in US dollars.
Result: They chose SimpleLabOS for the published flat rate, the $0 setup fee, and the ability to take case intake from every scanner brand their doctors use — not just the 3Shape ones.
Which one is right for you?
Choose 3Shape LMS if...
- Your lab is 100% 3Shape hardware (scanners & mills)
- You are a large enterprise (50+ people) needing complex departmental routing
- You have a dedicated IT team to handle setup
Choose SimpleLabOS if...
- You receive scans from iTero, Medit, or other brands
- You want transparent, flat-rate pricing ($29/mo)
- You need to get up and running TODAY, not next month
- You want modern features like "Inventory Management" included
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SimpleLabOS work with 3Shape scanners?
Yes. SimpleLabOS reads 3Shape case notification emails and creates the case automatically, and it can import a 3Shape or exocad order file directly. The same notification-email intake works for iTero, Medit, and most other scanners that email a case notification, so you are not tied to one brand of equipment. This works off the notification email rather than a scanner vendor API, which is why no per-seat scanner-portal license is needed.
What is vendor lock-in and why should I care?
Vendor lock-in means your software only works well with one hardware brand. 3Shape LMS is optimized for the 3Shape ecosystem. SimpleLabOS is scanner-neutral because it creates cases by parsing the notification emails your doctors already send — so it is not tied to any one scanner brand or its portal licensing.
Is 3Shape LMS cheaper because it was LabStar?
3Shape acquired LabStar in January 2023 and rebranded it as 3Shape LMS. Customers were migrated from July 2023 and the old LabStar sites were shut down on 31 August 2024, so LabStar is no longer a product you can buy. On pricing, 3Shape publishes "from €79/month" for 100 cases — quoted in euros, presented as a limited-time discounted rate, with higher tiers as your case volume grows and regional pricing through a reseller. Confirm the current number and currency with 3Shape or your reseller. SimpleLabOS starts at $29/mo in US dollars, published on our pricing page, with no per-case pricing.
Can I migrate from 3Shape LMS to SimpleLabOS?
You can start SimpleLabOS alongside your current system during the free trial and move new cases over as they come in. To be straight with you: we do not have a data-import tool for 3Shape LMS, so we cannot lift your closed case history across. What we can import is your product and price list from a spreadsheet. Most labs bring over their doctor list and open cases, then leave closed history in the old system for reference. Talk to us first and we will tell you honestly what the move would involve.
Does SimpleLabOS have inventory management?
Yes. SimpleLabOS includes inventory tracking for materials and supplies on every plan. Whether 3Shape LMS covers inventory depends on the package you are quoted, so check that against your own requirements with 3Shape or your reseller.