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 | $79+ |
| Setup Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Works with ANY Scanner | ||
| 3Shape Integration | ||
| iTero Integration | ||
| Medit Integration | ||
| Inventory Management | ||
| No Vendor Lock-in | ||
| Contract Required | None | Flexible |
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 LMS often requires a custom quote and has tiered pricing based on volume. Setup fees can run into the thousands.
SimpleLabOS is flat-rate ($29/mo). No setup fees. No volume penalties.
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 import non-3Shape scans, breaking the "workflow automation" promise. Cost: $200+/mo for the tier they needed.
- With SimpleLabOS: They used the "Universal Inbox" to auto-ingest cases from email and portals. Cost: $29/mo.
Result: They chose SimpleLabOS, saved ~$1,800/year in software fees, and reduced admin time by 10 hours/week by automating non-3Shape case intake.
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 fully supports 3Shape scanner file imports. The key difference is that SimpleLabOS also supports iTero, Medit, Planmeca, and other scanners, giving you freedom to work with any dentist regardless of their equipment.
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 exclusively for 3Shape equipment. If a dentist uses iTero or Medit, you lose the seamless integration benefits. SimpleLabOS works equally well with ALL major scanner brands.
Is 3Shape LMS cheaper because it was LabStar?
3Shape acquired LabStar and rebranded it as 3Shape LMS. The pricing starts at $79/month for 100 cases. SimpleLabOS starts at $29/mo with unlimited cases and no per-case pricing surprises.
Can I migrate from 3Shape LMS to SimpleLabOS?
Yes. Most labs complete migration in under 2 hours. You can export your data from 3Shape LMS and our team will help you import it into SimpleLabOS at no extra cost. Run both systems in parallel during our 14-day free trial.
Does SimpleLabOS have inventory management?
Yes. Unlike 3Shape LMS which lacks inventory management, SimpleLabOS includes full inventory tracking for materials, supplies, and equipment in all plans.