Switching from Venga
Venga is capable Windows software for intra-office paging, and it runs on your office network with a server component behind it. AltoSignal does the same job on the tablets, phones, and computers your practice already owns, with nothing installed on clinic machines.
Venga is a genuine paging and messaging system for dental offices, with role and room alerts, zones, messaging groups, status indicators, sticky notes, a snooze button, and pages that can even be spoken. If those specific touches matter to your team, they are worth looking at.
What it asks for in return is a Windows estate. Venga lists Windows Server 2012 through 2022, or a workstation left running around the clock, and workstation software on each Windows machine. That shapes which screens can be part of it and who has to maintain it.
AltoSignal takes the other route. It runs as a native app on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire, Mac, and Linux, plus a browser version for any computer that installs nothing. A Windows app is on the way. There is no server, no workstation rollout, and no IT project. Signals travel across your own office network and through the cloud at the same time, so an outage does not stop the practice and a second location is still reachable on the same account.
| AltoSignal | Venga | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Cloud paging app, with local delivery on your office network | Windows software on the office network |
| Runs on | iPhone, iPad, Android, Fire, Mac and Linux apps, plus a browser version; a Windows app is on the way | Windows workstations and Windows tablets |
| Server needed | None | Windows Server 2012 to 2022, or a workstation left running |
| Installed on clinic computers | Nothing | Workstation software on each Windows machine |
| Phones and tablets | Native apps in the operatory and in a pocket | Messages to staff cell phones |
| Message detail | "Dr. Smith · Needed · Exam 1", with history and read receipts | Role and room alerts, messaging, status, sticky notes |
| Across locations | One account covers every location | See vendor |
| If the internet is down | Keeps signaling on your office network | Runs on the office network, keeps working |
| Setup | Sign in and go, no IT project | Install the server and each workstation |
| Cost | $3 / device / month, or $2 billed yearly (33% off) · 5 device minimum · 30-day trial from 2 devices | $37.90 to $39.90 / month per office up to 10 workstations, plus $3.99 / month per extra workstation |
| Updates | Automatic, over the air | See vendor |
Venga details above are taken from vengadental.com as published in August 2026, including the Windows server and workstation requirements and the per-office pricing. Venga is a trademark of its respective owner; AltoSignal is not affiliated with or endorsed by it. Check the vendor for current product details before deciding.
Nothing to stand up in a closet and nothing to push to every Windows machine. Sign in on a screen and it joins the same board.
An iPad on the operatory wall, an Android tablet in hygiene, the Mac at the front desk, a phone in a pocket. They all take part, not just Windows PCs.
A practice with a second location runs both from one account, with one place to manage staff, rooms, and channels.
If your practice is entirely Windows, already runs a server, and wants a system with no cloud component at all, Venga is built for exactly that. It also has some touches AltoSignal does not, including sticky notes, a snooze button, spoken pages, and sending messages out to staff cell phones. Worth weighing those against running on any device and covering more than one location.
Yes. Both do the same core job, letting staff signal a person or a room quietly instead of shouting down the hall. The difference is what they run on. Venga is Windows software on your office network with a server behind it. AltoSignal runs on the tablets, phones, and computers you already own, with nothing installed on clinic machines.
No. There is no server component and nothing to install on a clinic computer. Venga lists Windows Server 2012 through 2022, or a workstation left running continuously, plus workstation software on each Windows machine. AltoSignal devices sign in, join the same board, and find each other on your office network by themselves.
Yes. AltoSignal has native apps for iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire, Mac, and Linux, plus a browser version for any computer with nothing to install. A Windows app is on the way. Venga lists Windows workstations and Windows tablets, and sends messages to staff cell phones rather than running as a phone app.
AltoSignal is $3 per device per month, or $2 per device per month when billed yearly, a 33% saving. Paid plans have a 5 device minimum. The 30-day free trial does not, so you can start on as few as 2 devices, with no credit card. Venga publishes a per-office fee of $37.90 to $39.90 per month covering up to 10 workstations, plus $3.99 per month for each additional workstation. The two are priced differently, per device against per office, so work it out against your own device count. For 20 devices or more we offer volume pricing, so email sales@altosignal.com and we will quote you.
Yes, inside the office. Devices running the AltoSignal app on the same network hand signals straight to each other at the same time as the cloud, so your team keeps signaling with nothing to switch on. Venga runs on your office network and keeps working in an outage for the same reason. With AltoSignal, changing button labels, adding a channel, or reaching a second location waits until the connection is back. See how local delivery works.
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