Smile design and simulation software, compared

It depends on what the preview is for. For a chairside preview from one photo, Elegant Smile, SmileViz and Smilecloud work without a scanner. When the design has to go on to 3D printing or restorations, SmileFy Professional, Smilecloud Business and 3Shape's TRIOS workflow add scans and 3D.

Digital smile design (DSD) is a planning method created by Christian Coachman, whose company of the same name makes the DSD App. It maps new tooth shapes and proportions on the patient's photos and often continues into a mock-up and a 3D design for the lab. Smile simulation is the quicker step before that: a realistic preview of the new smile that helps the patient decide. Among the tools here, the DSD App, Smilecloud, SmileFy and 3Shape TRIOS Smile Design are built for design; Elegant Smile, SmileViz and PreVu are built for the preview.

All of the tools on this page can start from photos: Elegant Smile, SmileViz, Smilecloud, SmileFy for simulations, 3Shape TRIOS Smile Design, the DSD App and PreVu. Scans come in for 3D design, not for the first preview.

Among the tools here, Elegant Smile is the one with a published per-generation price: $8 per generation, with no subscription. The DSD App is free; the others are monthly or annual subscriptions, or priced on request.

From the vendors' own pages: the DSD App is free, Smilecloud Starter is $36 a month billed annually, SmileFy Starter is $129 a month, and Elegant Smile is $8 per generation or $168 a month for Pro. SmileViz Core is $299 a month; PreVu and 3Shape do not publish prices.

We make Elegant Smile, so we kept to what each company publishes on its own website, checked on September 27, 2026. Prices and plans change; check the vendor's site before you decide. If something here is out of date, email direct@elegantlab.com and we will correct it.