Software Comparison
Clio vs Dentally - Irish CRM Software Compared
Choosing between Clio and Dentally is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating crm software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.
Last checked: 25 May 2026 data estimated for at least one vendor - confirm with the vendor Methodology
Quick Verdict
Clio wins for Irish solicitors and law firms that need matter management, time recording, trust accounting and client intake in a single platform, with EU data hosting available and SOC 2 and ISO 27001 attestations to support client confidentiality requirements.
Clio vs Dentally - Feature Comparison
| Feature | Clio | Dentally |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR Data Residency | EU hosting option available. SOC 2 and ISO 27001 attestations published. | Data centre location not disclosed publicly. No published security certifications confirmed. |
| Sector Fit | Purpose-built for legal practices. Covers matter management, time recording, billing, trust accounting and client intake. | Purpose-built for dental practices. Covers clinical charting, appointment scheduling, recall campaigns and patient portal. |
| Free Trial | Seven-day free trial, no credit card required. | No free trial. Demo available on request through sales. |
| Irish-Specific Integrations | No Law Society of Ireland partnership. Xero integration available for accounting handoff. No Revenue, PAYE or Irish bank feed integration. | No HSE PRSI Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme integration. No Revenue, PAYE or Irish bank feed integration. |
| Revenue and PAYE Modernisation | Not supported. Separate accounting software required. | Not supported. Separate accounting software required. |
| Feature Availability for Irish Users | All core features available to Irish firms. Trust account handling nuances under the Solicitors Accounts Regulations should be confirmed. | AI clinical notes feature not available in the Republic of Ireland. |
| Billing Model Suitability | Per-user pricing suits small firms but can become costly as headcount grows beyond one or two fee earners. | Per-surgery pricing suits multi-user practices. A single-surgery practice with several staff benefits from the unlimited-user model. |
Irish Compliance and Pricing Matrix
A side-by-side data comparison of pricing and Irish regulatory compliance for Clio and Dentally. Values are derived from each vendor's published data and verified weekly.
| Requirement | Clio | Dentally |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | From €82/user/month | From €147/month |
| Pricing model | Per user / month | Monthly flat rate |
| EUR pricing guaranteed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✗ |
| Irish Compliance | ||
| Revenue (ROS) integration | ✗ | ✗ |
| PAYE Modernisation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Irish bank feeds | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bank compatibility | None listed | None listed |
| SEPA direct debit | ✗ | ✗ |
| Irish IBAN support | ✗ | ✗ |
| VAT handling | ✗ | ✗ |
| EU data residency (GDPR) | EU only | EU only |
| Irish support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Revenue-approved | ✗ | ✗ |
| CBI regulated | ✗ | ✗ |
Irish Compliance Comparison
For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how Clio and Dentally compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.
Revenue Integration
Neither Clio nor Dentally offers native Revenue Online Service integration. Irish businesses in crm may not need this feature directly, but should ensure their accounting software handles Revenue compliance separately.
Irish Bank Feeds
Neither Clio nor Dentally offers direct Irish bank feed integrations, which is expected for crm software. Your accounting platform should handle bank feeds separately.
GDPR Data Residency
Both Clio and Dentally store data in EU data centres, providing strong GDPR compliance out of the box. Irish businesses can use either platform without worrying about cross-border data transfers to the US or other non-EU jurisdictions.
SEPA and IBAN Support
Neither Clio nor Dentally offers native SEPA Direct Debit support. This is less relevant for crm tools, but if you need to process euro payments, ensure your accounting or invoicing software covers SEPA compliance.
VAT Handling
Neither Clio nor Dentally handles Irish VAT directly. This is expected for crm tools - your accounting software should manage VAT compliance.
Pricing Comparison
All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing weekly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.
Clio
€82 /mo per user
- Pricing model: Per user
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates
Dentally
€147 /mo
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: No
- EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates
At entry level, Clio is the more affordable option. However, total cost of ownership depends on the number of users, add-ons, and features your business requires. Always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.
Who Should Choose Clio
Clio is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓ Budget-conscious businesses - Clio from €82/user/month
- ✓ Growing businesses with 21-50 employees that need a platform which scales
- ✓ Those who prioritise user satisfaction - Clio has a higher editorial rating (4.2/5)
Who Should Choose Dentally
Dentally is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓ Companies that value Irish-based phone and email support
- ✓ Those who value: purpose-built for dental clinical workflows and charting
- ✓ Those who value: patient portal with online booking and digital forms
Our Verdict
Clio wins for Irish solicitors and law firms that need matter management, time recording, trust accounting and client intake in a single platform, with EU data hosting available and SOC 2 and ISO 27001 attestations to support client confidentiality requirements. Dentally wins for Irish dental practices that require clinical charting, recall campaigns and a patient-facing portal, none of which Clio provides. The Irish-specific differentiator for Clio is its confirmed EU data residency option, which Dentally does not disclose publicly, making Clio the stronger choice where GDPR data residency questions are being asked in writing by clients.
Neither vendor offers native Revenue integration, PAYE Modernisation connectivity, SEPA direct debit, or Irish bank feeds, so both practices will need separate accounting and payroll tooling regardless of which platform they choose. The two products do not compete in practice: a solicitor has no use for Dentally and a dental surgery has no use for Clio, so the real question for an Irish buyer is whether their sector matches the platform.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.
Not sure which is right for you?
Our AI-powered recommendation engine analyses your business size, sector, and priorities to suggest the best software stack for your Irish business - in under 60 seconds.
Try Our Free Recommendation Tool →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clio or Dentally better for Irish SMEs?
Which is cheaper, Clio or Dentally?
Does Clio or Dentally have better Irish bank feeds?
Which has better GDPR compliance, Clio or Dentally?
Can I switch from Clio to Dentally?
Not sure which one fits?
Share your email and we'll send tailored guidance based on this comparison.
You're on the list.
Irish software updates, weekly. No spam.