Why Your Choice of Cephalometric Software Matters
Cephalometric analysis is the backbone of orthodontic diagnosis. Every treatment plan starts with a lateral cephalogram, a set of landmarks, and a series of angular and linear measurements that classify skeletal relationships, dental compensations, and soft-tissue balance. The software you use to perform that analysis is not a trivial decision — it determines your clinical workflow, your data security posture, your operating costs, and ultimately, the accuracy of the measurements you rely on to make treatment decisions.
For decades, Dolphin Imaging dominated the market as the default choice for private practices and academic institutions. But the landscape has shifted. Browser-based tools, AI-assisted landmark detection, and pay-per-use models have created genuine alternatives — each with distinct trade-offs in price, privacy, and analytical depth.
This guide compares eleven established cephalometric programs and BCeph, the free browser-based tool built by Bayan Healthcare Analytics. We cover pricing, platform requirements, AI capabilities, the number of supported analyses, data privacy architecture, and whether installation is required. If you are evaluating cephalometric analysis software for your practice, residency, or teaching programme, this is the page to bookmark.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
The table below summarises the key differentiators across all twelve programs. Scroll horizontally on mobile to see every column.
| Software | Price | Platform | AI Tracing | Analyses | Data Privacy | Install? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Imaging | ~$1,000–2,000/yr | Windows desktop | ✗ | 50+ | Cloud optional | Yes |
| WebCeph | Free tier / $9.99–14.99/mo | Browser | ✓ | 20+ | Cloud storage | No |
| CephX | $79–199/mo | Browser | ✓ | 100+ | Cloud storage | No |
| OnyxCeph | $200–400/yr or €4,800–6,600 one-time | Windows desktop | ✗ | 120+ | Local | Yes |
| AudaxCeph | €1,650–3,600 one-time | Windows desktop | ✓ | 50+ | Local | Yes |
| WeDoCeph | €3.50–6/case | Browser | ✓ | 20+ | Cloud storage | No |
| Quick Ceph | Quote-based | macOS only | ✗ | 30+ | Local | Yes |
| Cephio | $0.66–1.90/image (credit packs) | Browser | ✓ | 10+ | Cloud storage | No |
| EAI Trace | A$105–150/mo | Browser | ✓ | 10 | Cloud storage | No |
| ViCeph | Free / $137–239.50/yr | Browser | ✓ | 20+ | Cloud storage | No |
| B-Ceph AI | $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr | Browser | ✓ | Not disclosed | Cloud storage | No |
| BCeph ★ | Free | Browser | Manual | 9+ | Fully local / private | No |
Pricing and feature counts are based on publicly available information as of March 2026. Verify current pricing directly with each vendor.
Detailed Software Reviews
Dolphin Imaging
Dolphin Imaging is the long-standing incumbent in orthodontic software. Developed by Patterson Dental, it offers an extensive feature set that goes well beyond cephalometrics: 3D CBCT integration, treatment simulation, patient communication tools, and over 50 cephalometric analysis modules. For large multi-location practices or academic departments that need a single platform for everything from 2D ceph tracing to surgical planning, Dolphin remains a common choice.
However, Dolphin's strengths come with significant trade-offs. Annual licensing runs $1,000–2,000 per seat, it requires a Windows desktop with local installation, and there is no AI-assisted landmark detection. The software also carries a steep learning curve and substantial IT overhead for installation and updates. Practices that primarily need lateral cephalometric analysis — the core clinical workflow — are often paying for capabilities they never use.
WebCeph
WebCeph is a browser-based cephalometric tool with AI-powered automatic landmark detection. It offers a free tier with limited features and paid plans at $9.99–14.99 per month (Plus and Premium tiers; an Elite tier is announced as forthcoming). WebCeph supports over 20 analyses and provides a clean, modern interface that runs on any device without installation. For clinicians who want AI auto-tracing at a relatively low monthly cost, WebCeph is a popular entry point.
The primary considerations with WebCeph are data privacy and feature gating. All images and patient data are uploaded to WebCeph's cloud servers for processing, which introduces HIPAA compliance considerations and requires a Business Associate Agreement. The free tier is restrictive, and the analyses that most orthodontists need daily are locked behind the paid subscription.
CephX
CephX positions itself as a premium AI-powered cephalometric platform. With over 100 supported analyses and sophisticated auto-tracing algorithms, it offers the deepest analytical coverage of any browser-based tool. CephX also includes 3D ceph capabilities and integration with practice management systems. For high-volume practices that process dozens of cephs per week and need maximum automation, CephX delivers a comprehensive solution.
The cost reflects that positioning: $79–199 per month puts CephX among the most expensive options in the market. Like WebCeph, all patient data is processed and stored on CephX's cloud infrastructure. The price point is difficult to justify for solo practitioners, residents, or clinics that trace a handful of cephalograms per week.
OnyxCeph
OnyxCeph is a German-developed desktop application with one of the largest analysis libraries in the industry — over 120 cephalometric modules. It offers a one-time purchase option (€4,800–6,600) or annual licensing ($200–400/year), and stores all data locally on the practitioner's machine. OnyxCeph is particularly popular in European academic programmes and among clinicians who value exhaustive analytical options and local data sovereignty.
The trade-offs are clear: Windows-only, installation required, no AI tracing, and the one-time cost is prohibitive for residents or early-career practitioners. The interface reflects its long development history and can feel dated compared to modern browser-based tools. Multi-device access requires network configuration or separate installations.
AudaxCeph
AudaxCeph is a Windows desktop application from a Slovenian developer offering AI-assisted auto-tracing with a one-time licensing model. It is sold in two tiers: Essentials at €1,650 and Ultimate at €3,600 (excluding VAT). The software supports over 50 analyses with local data storage and pairs cephalometric analysis with an optional StudyModel bundle. For clinicians who want AI tracing without a recurring subscription, AudaxCeph offers a perpetual-licence alternative to cloud tools.
The trade-offs are significant: Windows only, local installation required, and the upfront cost is substantial — €1,650 to €3,600 puts it firmly in the desktop-incumbent price tier. The AI model's accuracy depends on image quality and radiograph standardisation, and there is no browser or multi-device access. For a US buyer, the effective cost (with currency conversion and VAT considerations) often exceeds the headline price.
WeDoCeph
WeDoCeph uses a pay-per-case model at €3.50–6.00 per analysis, making it attractive for low-volume practices that only trace a few cephalograms per month. It is browser-based with AI auto-tracing and supports over 20 analyses. The pay-as-you-go pricing means you are never paying for capacity you do not use.
The model becomes expensive at scale: a practice tracing 20 cases per month at €5 each spends €100/month — comparable to CephX's subscription tier. All data is cloud-stored, and the analysis library is relatively limited compared to desktop alternatives. The per-case cost also creates a psychological barrier to re-running analyses or experimenting with different analysis modules on the same patient.
Quick Ceph
Quick Ceph is a macOS-only cephalometric application that has been available for decades. It supports over 30 analyses with manual landmark tracing and local data storage. Quick Ceph serves a loyal user base among Mac-using orthodontists, particularly in North American private practices that adopted it in the pre-cloud era.
Quick Ceph's limitations reflect its age: it is restricted to macOS, pricing is quote-based and not publicly transparent, there is no AI tracing, and the interface has not kept pace with modern design standards. The macOS-only requirement excludes any practice running Windows or clinicians who want to trace on a tablet or Chromebook.
Cephio
Cephio is a newer browser-based entrant offering AI auto-tracing with a credit-based pricing model. Image credits are sold in three packs: Small at $19 for 10 images ($1.90/image, valid for one month), Standard at $99 for 100 images ($0.99/image, valid for one year), and Pro at $199 for 300 images ($0.66/image, valid for one year). It supports over 10 analyses through a clean cloud-based workflow.
The analysis library is the smallest among the tools reviewed here, which limits its utility for clinicians who need Jarabak, Kim, Holdaway, or other specialised modules. All patient data is cloud-stored, and the per-image pricing makes Cephio attractive for low-volume use but increasingly costly as case volume grows.
EAI Trace (Eyes of AI)
EAI Trace is a browser-based cephalometric platform from Eyes of AI, an Australian developer positioning the product as a clinician-and-enterprise AI tracing solution. Pricing is subscription-based with three commitment tiers: A$150/month (monthly billing), A$127.50/month (6-month commitment, billed semi-annually), and A$105/month (12-month commitment, billed annually). Each subscription includes 500 AI runs per month, tracing of 150+ landmarks, access to 10 analyses, and one-click reporting. A one-time A$400 onboarding fee was advertised as waived under a limited-time offer at the time of this review.
EAI Trace's strengths are the breadth of landmark detection (150+ points is one of the highest counts of any tool in this comparison) and a clinician-targeted workflow. The trade-offs follow the pattern of cloud AI tools: patient data is processed and stored on EAI's infrastructure, the analysis count is moderate (10 analyses, comparable to mid-tier alternatives), and the per-month cost in USD terms (roughly $70–100/month at typical exchange rates) places it in a similar price band to WebCeph Premium.
ViCeph
ViCeph is a browser-based cephalometric platform with a tiered freemium model. The Free tier is unusually generous and includes AI-powered cephalometric analysis, electronic medical record (EMR) management, superimposition, and VTO/STO simulation at no cost. The Essential tier at $137/year (billed annually, ~$12/month) adds customised cephalometric analysis, custom measurements, case sharing, and an ad-free experience. The Premium tier at $239.50/year (~$21/month) adds AI-powered photo classification, cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) analysis, airway evaluation, postero-anterior cephalometric analysis, and lateral/frontal face analysis.
ViCeph's freemium model is one of the most aggressive in the cephalometric software market — most cloud competitors gate AI tracing entirely behind paid tiers. The trade-offs are familiar for cloud-based tools: all patient data is processed and stored on ViCeph's servers, which introduces HIPAA compliance considerations and BAA requirements for US practices. The advertised module count is broad but specific analysis depth (e.g. exact Jarabak, Kim, or Holdaway support) is not always clearly documented.
B-Ceph AI
B-Ceph AI (bcephai.com) is a separate, unrelated product from a different vendor — not to be confused with BCeph (bceph.com), the free tool covered throughout this page. BCeph predates B-Ceph AI as a product, and the close similarity in branding may cause buyer confusion — verify the URL (bceph.com versus bcephai.com) before subscribing. B-Ceph AI is a browser-based cephalometric platform with a subscription pricing model: $4.99/month on monthly billing, or $49.99/year (equivalent to $4.17/month) on annual billing. The Monthly tier includes PDF report export, treatment planning, superimposition, priority support, and 10 GB of secure storage. The Yearly tier adds 20 GB of secure storage and advanced analytics on top of the Monthly feature set.
B-Ceph AI's appeal is its low entry price — among the cheapest paid options in this comparison. The trade-offs are typical for cloud-based tools: patient data and reports are stored on the vendor's servers, which introduces HIPAA compliance considerations and BAA requirements for US practices. Detailed information on the number and type of supported analyses is not prominently disclosed on the public pricing page, so clinicians evaluating the product should verify analysis coverage (Steiner, Ricketts, McNamara, Jarabak, etc.) directly with the vendor before subscribing.
Who BCeph Is Built For
BCeph is not trying to replace every feature of Dolphin Imaging or CephX. It is built for clinicians who need accurate, private, and cost-free lateral cephalometric analysis — the core workflow that drives the majority of orthodontic treatment planning. Here is who gets the most value from BCeph:
Orthodontic Residents
Trace unlimited practice cases across Steiner, Ricketts, McNamara, and more — with no per-case fees, no institutional licensing, and no software to install on hospital machines.
Solo Practitioners
Run a complete diagnostic ceph workflow without paying $1,000–2,000 per year for a Dolphin licence. BCeph covers the analyses most private practices use daily.
Privacy-First Clinics
All data stays on your device. No cloud upload, no BAA required, no third-party server ever touches patient images. HIPAA-aligned by architecture, not by policy.
Teaching Programmes
Free for every student, on every device, in every country. No procurement process, no IT department approval. Open the browser and teach cephalometric analysis.
If your practice requires 3D CBCT integration, surgical prediction, or patient communication suites, tools like Dolphin Imaging or CephX may still be necessary for those specific workflows. BCeph focuses on doing 2D lateral cephalometric analysis exceptionally well — and making it free for everyone.