Ultherapy vs Sofwave (for Clinics): Which Device to Buy, Compared on Price, Specs and Running Cost

The table compares the legacy Ultherapy, Ultherapy PRIME and Sofwave on 12 rows, with used asking prices read in November 2026 and specs from FDA filings and maker documents.

A dash means we found no verified figure.

The 8 mm figure is an imaging depth, not a treatment depth.

Merz supports the legacy Ultherapy device until September 30, 2027, when Merz says full service and support for it conclude.

Merz states it "will transition away from the legacy Ultherapy device", and its current customer terms name Ultherapy DeepSEE and Ultherapy PRIME systems.

Support before that date is not automatic for a second owner, because Merz's terms prohibit resale of its products.

Under those terms, an unauthorized sale or transfer voids any warranty or service contract in effect, and Merz may refuse to sell the customer future products.

Merz also says it is the only authorized service provider for Ultherapy, and its software licence does not pass to a new owner without Merz's written authorization.

Clinics that want support past 2027 can compare the Ultherapy PRIME used price, but only one PRIME was listed with a price in November 2026, at $99,899 for a 2024 unit.

That ask is $73,899 above the highest legacy Ultherapy ask of $26,000.

In the legacy listings, model year did not track price: 2021 units were listed at $9,900 and $17,995, and a 2013 unit at $26,000.

Price a legacy unit on the months of support left and on what Merz will service for you, not on its model year.

A used legacy Ultherapy is listed at $5,995–$26,000 across 14 asking prices from 6 US sellers, read in November 2026, and no Sofwave range exists yet.

The low end is a 2012 system with a 2018 DeepSEE handpiece and 4 transducers at $5,995, and the high end a 2013 system with DeepSEE handpiece and cart at $26,000.

Only one Sofwave was live with a price, listed at $64,899 by a dealer, with no model year in the title.

Two earlier dealer listings, now out of stock, asked $24,975 for a 2023 Sofwave and $37,975 for a 2022 Sofwave.

Live listings and the full spec sheet are on the used Sofwave price page for clinics weighing it against Ultherapy.

Ultherapy PRIME has no range either: one 2024 unit is listed at $99,899, a 2025 unit listed at $57,975 is now out of stock, and a 2025 consignment unit shows no public price.

Merz's July 2026 terms required a non-refundable $10,000 deposit to secure each new Ultherapy PRIME order.

Ultherapy running cost is set by DeepSEE transducers that are counted in lines and carry an expiry date, while Sofwave running cost is set by pulse credits loaded into the system.

How line and pulse limits work across devices is covered in our guide to Ultherapy transducer lines, Sofwave pulses and other shot limits.

Used Ultherapy listings state transducers as lines left and expiry date, such as a DS 10-1.5 with 1,865 lines left that expired in September 2024.

Merz's terms prohibit resale of its products, which include transducers, so third-party transducers sit outside Merz's terms.

Merz's terms also say that, in Merz's view, products bought from parties other than Merz are not FDA-cleared, and the customer carries full liability for adverse events with them.

That is Merz's contractual position, not an FDA finding.

One used Sofwave listing showed the "Pulse Pack Needed" error with 16,899 total system pulses, so ask the seller how many credits are loaded before you pay.

Merz publishes no transfer or recertification fee for a used Ultherapy in its customer terms.

• Merz (Ultherapy): its September 2026 terms state no fee amount, and they prohibit resale of its products.
• Merz recertification: under a service contract, Merz "may" examine, test and recertify equipment at the customer's request.
• Merz warranty: one year from purchase, covering control unit, handpiece and power cord, personal to the buyer and nontransferable.
• Sofwave: a used system needs pulse credits to treat, so ask Sofwave in writing how credits and service pass to a new owner.

Get Merz's written position on service and software for your serial number before you pay for a used Ultherapy.

Ultherapy and Sofwave are both FDA-cleared ultrasound devices, and their indications differ by area.

Ultherapy (Ulthera System)

• De Novo DEN080006 (September 11, 2009): original authorization of the Ulthera System.
• K233996 (February 22, 2024), Ultherapy PRIME: lift the eyebrow, lift lax submental and neck tissue, and improve lines and wrinkles of the décolleté.
• K250418 (May 13, 2025), PRIME Model 2.1: adds improving the appearance of skin laxity on the abdomen, anterior arms and posterior arms.
• K260618 (May 21, 2026): adds skin laxity on the knees.

Merz announced the arm, abdomen and knee clearances for Ultherapy PRIME, so confirm with Merz which indications a legacy unit carries.

Sofwave

• K191421 (September 9, 2019), as Sofacia: improve facial lines and wrinkles, for patients aged 22 and older.
• K211483 (November 15, 2021): lift the eyebrow and lift lax submental and neck tissue.
• K223237 (December 16, 2022): short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
• K233104 (December 22, 2023): acne scars and improving the appearance of skin laxity on the upper arms.

This is our editorial opinion, based on the specs, prices and terms above.

Choose a used legacy Ultherapy when:

• your providers want imaging to confirm treatment depth across 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm;
• your budget is under $26,000 and you can recover it before September 30, 2027;
• you have Merz's written position on servicing your unit.

Choose Sofwave when:

• you want a single treatment layer centred at 1.5 mm with built-in cooling;
• your case mix includes acne scars, cellulite or upper-arm laxity;
• you can confirm pulse credits and service with Sofwave before you buy.

Clinics that need Merz support beyond 2027 should look at Ultherapy PRIME instead of the legacy system.

Check each used Ultherapy and Sofwave listing for model year, handpiece, transducer lines and expiry, or loaded pulses before you contact the seller.

Other imported ultrasound systems are covered on the used HIFU category beyond Ultherapy and Sofwave.

Thermage is compared with Ultherapy on Thermage vs Ultherapy (for Clinics).

See current legacy Ultherapy and Ultherapy PRIME listings and price data.