Compare the top plastic surgery simulation tools for surgeons and patients. Side-by-side analysis of Crisalix, FaceTouchUp, AEDIT, and browser-native alternatives.
Whether you're a plastic surgeon looking to enhance consultations or a patient wanting to preview results, choosing the right simulation tool matters. Here's a comprehensive comparison of the leading platforms in 2026.
Before comparing specific tools, here are the key criteria to evaluate:
Privacy & Data Handling: Where are patient photos processed and stored? Procedure Coverage: How many procedures can you simulate? Accuracy: How detailed is the facial mapping technology? Ease of Use: Can patients use it independently, or does it require clinical training? Platform: Web-based, mobile app, or hardware-dependent? Pricing: Per-patient, subscription, or free? Integration: Does it work with your existing practice software?
Crisalix has been a market leader for years, offering 3D and VR simulation capabilities. Their surgeon directory creates a network effect — patients can find surgeons who use the platform. However, Crisalix requires photo uploads to their servers for processing, and pricing starts at approximately $24 per patient simulation.
FaceTouchUp offers an AI-powered simulator with both patient-facing and surgeon-facing versions. They provide embeddable widgets that surgeons can add to their websites. Pricing ranges from free (basic) to $195/month for the full surgeon suite. Like Crisalix, images are processed server-side.
AEDIT takes a content-first approach with their AEDITION blog and surgeon directory. Their simulation tools are available through a mobile app and white-label integrations. They target the full patient journey from discovery to recovery.
Faceify Labs takes a different architectural approach: all simulation runs entirely in the browser using WebGL and client-side AI. No patient data ever leaves the device. The platform offers 14 procedure simulators using 468-point facial landmark detection. It's free for patients and subscription-based for surgeon practices.
Canfield VECTRA represents the high end of the market with dedicated 3D imaging hardware. VECTRA systems capture precise 3D facial geometry for simulation. The accuracy is excellent, but the cost (five-figure hardware + software licensing) limits accessibility to larger practices.
Crisalix and FaceTouchUp both process photos on cloud servers with server-side storage and no offline capability. AEDIT uses cloud processing via its mobile app with partial offline functionality.
Canfield VECTRA processes locally via dedicated hardware with local storage and full offline capability. Faceify Labs processes entirely in the browser — patient photos are never stored, and the tool works offline.
For high-volume practices that want maximum precision and can invest in hardware: Canfield VECTRA.
For surgeons wanting patient self-service simulation with an embeddable website widget: FaceTouchUp.
For practices prioritizing patient privacy and zero-infrastructure simulation: Faceify Labs.
For patient education and discovery: AEDIT (strong content, good for the patient research phase).
Faceify Labs
Every simulation runs entirely within your hardware. No uploads, no server round-trips, no third-party data exposure — ever.