Clear aligners like Invisalign are an alternative to braces for people looking to straighten their teeth without traditional metal braces. Made out of clear plastic, these less noticeable treatment options fit over your teeth and move them by applying gentle pressure over time. Although plastic aligners can help with many cases of teeth straightening and teeth alignment, they cannot correct all orthodontic issues.
Invisalign treatment may cost $3,000 to $5,000 on average, but other aligner companies offer appliances you can order from home that may be cheaper. If you’re looking for the best Invisalign alternatives, this post covers a variety of in-office and at-home aligners as well as their pros, cons, costs, and treatment times.
Table of Contents
- Best Alternatives to Invisalign: Quick Comparison
- 6 At-Home Invisalign Alternatives
- SmileDirectClub
- AlignerCo
- Byte
- Strayt
- Smileie
- NewSmile
- 4 In-Office Invisalign Alternatives
- Impress
- SureSmile
- Candid
- ClearCorrect
- Which Invisalign Competitor Should You Choose?
Best Alternatives to Invisalign: Quick Comparison
The table below lists numerous alternatives to Invisalign aligners, including treatment costs and whether the procedure requires in-person office visits or can be done at home.
6 At-Home Invisalign Alternatives
If you want a clear aligner treatment that doesn’t require a trip to the dentist, you have a wide variety of alternatives. At-home treatment options typically involve these three steps:
- Request an at-home impressions kit, which you receive via mail and then use to take dental impressions in the comfort of your own home.
- Send your dental impressions back to the company to fabricate customized clear aligners to fit your mouth.
- Receive the new aligners and wear them for the indicated amount of time.
Note that in-home aligners may not be covered by your dental insurance. However, some dental plans cover teledentistry, and some companies will check whether your insurance covers their clear aligner treatment. If not, many aligner companies offer a variety of payment options, including monthly payment plans.
The following ranking for at-home Invisalign alternatives takes into account cost, treatment time, product features, and whether plans are covered by insurance and/or reviewed by licensed orthodontists.
1. SmileDirectClub
Like many clear aligner companies, SmileDirectClub offers an Invisalign alternative with no mandatory in-person visits. Although you’ll never have to visit a dentist, SmileDirectClub gives you 24-hour online or video access to a dedicated dental care team.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: Has numerous insurance partners and offers an instant eligibility tool to help you easily check whether you’re covered
- Cost:
- $2,050 or $89/month ($2,564 total)
- Retainers $99 per set; Impression kit $59
- Treatment time:
- SmileDirectClub Nighttime Aligners: 8–10 months with 10 hours of continuous wear at night
- SmileDirectClub Aligners: Average of 4–6 months with 22 hours of wear per day
- Features:
- You can decide whether you wear your aligner at night or during the day.
- You can book a free in-person visit for the scan or order a kit to do at home.
- A doctor directs your treatment remotely and you can have video visits or real-time chats on the company’s telehealth platform.
SmileDirectClub partners with multiple insurance companies and can check eligibility for many more. Other advantages of these doctor-directed plans include free teeth whitening, free replacement aligners, and a 30-Day Money-Back Promise. On the other hand, SmileDirectClub is one of the more expensive Invisalign alternatives on our list.
2. AlignerCo
This affordable option offers standard treatment times at a lower price than many other brands of clear braces.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: Can use an HSA/FSA account to pay; part of the cost may be covered by your dental insurance
- Cost:
- SmileAdvantage $945
- SmileFlex $79/mo for 12 months
- SmileFlex Easy $100/mo for 6 months with $545 down
- Above prices include retainers and impression kit
- Treatment time:
- Invisible Aligners: 4–6 months for 20–22 hours of wear time per day.
- NightOnly aligners: 6–8 months for 8–10 hours of wear while you sleep.
- Features:
- You can decide whether to wear the aligner at night or during the day.
- A U.S.-trained and licensed orthodontist will review your treatment plan.
With a starting price of $945, AlignerCo is one of the lower priced Invisalign alternatives on our list. Like other at-home aligners, however, these may not be suitable for more complex cases of dental correction. In addition, you can only cancel within 24 to 48 of placing your order. No refunds are given once the order has been processed.
3. Byte
Byte is a clear aligner company that prides itself on its exclusive high-frequency vibration device that may help give wearers a fast and comfortable smile treatment.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: If you send your insurance card details, Byte will check if you’re covered or can pay with your HSA.
- Cost:
- All-Day Aligners System $1,999 or $70 a month for 36 months with $249 down payment
- At-Night Aligners System $2,399 or $84 a month for 36 months with $299 down payment
- Includes the first set of retainers; otherwise, $129 per set
- Impression kit $29.95
- Treatment time:
- All-Day Aligners: Average of 4 months when worn for 22 hours a day.
- At-Night Aligners: Average of 5 months when worn for 10+ hours at night.
- Features:
- HyperByte® device. Included in every treatment plan, the HyperByte is a device that can help reduce discomfort by transmitting high-frequency vibrations (HFV) through the roots of the teeth to the surrounding bone.
- You can choose whether to wear the aligners at night or during the day.
Although individual cases may vary, Byte offers some of the fastest treatment times of all the at-home aligners on our list. Plans also include doctor-directed care, free teeth whitening, and FDA-cleared HyperByte technology. On the downside, Byte is among the pricier at-home clear aligners we found.
4. Strayt
Approved and overseen by an orthodontist, all Strayt treatment plans start with a free digital scan at an office near you or a mobile location you select.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: Strayt allows you to pay with FSA or HSA card and will help you with insurance reimbursement paperwork if you file a claim. However, the company doesn’t accept direct payment from insurance companies.
- Cost:
- Strayt Pay $1,596
- $77 per month for 24 months after $248 down payment
- $133/mo for 12 months after $199 down payment
- Includes the first set of retainers; then $89/set or $69/year
- $24 for the kit; in-home scan free
- Treatment time: Average treatment times are around 6 months for day aligners (with 22 hours of wear per day) and twice as long for night aligners (with 10 continuous hours of wear out of every 24).
- Features:
- You can go to a nearby location for the scan or have a mobile scan consultation where the company comes to you.
- Strayt offers custom whitening trays to whiten your teeth while also letting you experience what it feels like to wear clear aligners before you buy.
- You can choose whether to wear them at night or during the day.
In addition to offering a mobile scan service at your home or location of your choice, Strayt also offers a 30-day money back guarantee and a price-match promise. If you find a clear aligner therapy (that starts with a digital scan) for less, Strayt will match the price. On the downside, Strayt doesn’t accept direct payments from insurance companies.
5. Smileie
With both single-arch and dual-arch options, Smileie advertises the lowest starting price point of any at-home clear aligners on our list.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: You can pay with your HSA/FSA. Smilieie also provides an insurance reimbursement receipt after you pay the full cost of your aligners.
- Cost:
- Day-Time Aligners
- Day-Time Dual Arch — $849; example payment plans: $212.25 every 2 weeks for 8 weeks or $76.63 a month for 12 months
- Day-Time Single Arch — $699; example payment plans: $174.75 every 2 weeks for 8 weeks or $63.09 a month for 12 months
- Night-Time Aligners
- Night-Time Dual Arch — $1049; example payment plans: $358.44 a month for 3 months or $94.68 a month for 12 months
- Night-Time Single Arch — $799; example payment plans: $199.75 every 2 weeks for 8 weeks or $72.12 a month for 12 months
- Includes home impression kit ($49.99 by itself), 2 sets of retainers, and a whitening kit
- Day-Time Aligners
- Treatment time:
- Day-Time Aligners: 4–6 months for 20 hours a day
- Night-Time Aligners: 6–8 months for 8–10 hours per night
- Features:
- Includes whitening kit
- You can choose between night-time aligners and daytime aligners
The company offers a refund if you are not happy with the 3D preview smile projection; however, refunds are not allowed once you approve the treatment plan. Smileie will provide free additional refinement aligners if the projected results are not achieved.
6. NewSmile
NewSmile offers standard treatment times for average pricing among the at-home clear aligner options.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: You may be able to use HSA or insurance, but they will not contact your insurance company for you.
- Cost:
- $1,495 Fast Track
- $55 per month for 36 months
- Prices include impression kit and retainers.
- $49 for just the impression kit and a preview.
- Treatment time: Average treatment time is 4–6 months for aligners worn 22 hours per day. Average treatment time for Night Aligners is 8–10 months for 10+ continuous hours of wear per night.
- Features:
- Free teeth whitening foam and monitoring app.
- You can choose between standard day aligners and night aligners.
In addition to free teeth whitening foam and access to a remote monitoring app, NewSmile also allows you to book a video call with an Impression Specialist to help with your at-home impressions. On the downside, while you can get a receipt for your purchase, NewSmile will not contact your insurance company for you or accept direct payment from insurance companies. Also, custom NewSmile aligners are also not eligible for a refund.
4 In-Office Invisalign Alternatives
If you have more serious dental issues or feel more comfortable with in-person visits, you may wish to consider in-office invisalign alternatives. If your insurance covers orthodontics, it may at least partially pay for clear aligners from a dentist. Listed in no particular order, the following in-office treatments may be offered, but price and availability can vary by area.
1. Impress
Impress clear aligner treatment begins with x-rays, a 3D scan, and a consultation with experts. You will receive your aligners in the mail, use an app for regular follow-ups, and have 2 to 5 in-person appointments during the course of treatment.
- Payment plan: Yes
- Insurance: You can pay with your FSA/HSA or get reimbursed by up to $2,500 if your plan offers out-of-network orthodontic benefits.
- Cost:
- Impress Super Light: $3,499 or $75 for 60 months
- Impress: From $4,599 or $98 a month for 60 months
- Impress Plus: $5,599 or $119 for 60 months
- Impress Advanced: $6,999 or $149 for 60 months
- Treatment time:
- Impress Super Light: less than 3 months
- Impress: 6–10 months
- Impress Plus: over 10 months
- Impress Advanced: 12+ months
- Features:
- Offers different options depending on the severity of your dental issue (see above)
Like most in-office clear aligners, Impress costs more than at-home treatment options. However, the company guarantees results, offers a variety of payment plans and accepts all out-of-network dental insurance benefits.
2. SureSmile
The SureSmile system includes clear aligners, a whitening kit, the SureSmile® VPro™ vibration device, and retainers to keep your teeth in place after your treatment period.
- Insurance: Discuss with your provider.
- Payment plan: Depends on the provider
- Cost: $3,000 to $5,000
- Treatment time: Often 7 to 11 months, but may vary on the severity of your dental issue
- Features: SureSmile® VPro™ vibration device and whitening kit
While SureSmile costs more than in-home clear aligners, it is the most affordable in-office option on our list. It also includes the SureSmile® VPro™ vibration device, an at-home appliance that delivers gentle vibrations that may help your aligners fit properly, reduce discomfort, and shorten treatment time.
3. Candid
The Candid clear aligner process starts with visiting a local CandidPro doctor and then receiving a full set of aligners, CandidMonitoring™ materials, and teeth whitening foam.
- Insurance: Discuss with your provider.
- Payment plan: Depends on the provider
- Cost: Depends on the case but may cost $3,500 to $7,000, which is comparable to Invisalign.
- Treatment time: Depends on the case, but averages 6 months when worn 22 hours a day.
- Features: N/A
Treatment includes regular virtual check-ins with your doctor who will review scans of your teeth every 14 days, to make sure your treatment stays on track. Like other in-office treatments, however, Candid aligners cost more than at-home options.
4. ClearCorrect
The process begins with making an appointment with a ClearCorrect doctor who will evaluate your smile, take dental records (usually with a 3D scanner), examine your overall oral health, and develop a treatment plan.
- Insurance: Discuss with your provider
- Payment plan: Depends on the provider
- Cost: Depends on the case but may be $4,000 to $5,500, which is comparable to Invisalign
- Treatment time: Depends on the case, but may be 8–14 months when the aligners are worn 22 hours every day
- Features: N/A
ClearCorrect advertises a more flexible aligner that adapts to teeth better for a more comfortable fit, near invisibility, and stain resistance. Specifically, ClearCorrect aligners have been shown to stay on 2.5 times better than scallop-cut aligners. On the downside, ClearCorrect has the highest starting price point of all of the clear aligners on our list.
Which Invisalign Competitor Should You Choose?
While budget is an important consideration, also make sure to look into what the price includes. For example, sometimes the impression kit is included and other times it is extra. If it’s included, what’s the commitment? Does the package include retainers or replacement aligners? Are financing options available? What is the refund policy?
Also think about whether you would prefer an at-home or in-office service. At-home options are typically cheaper and better for those who prefer not to visit a dental provider, but in-office options may be preferable for more severe cases. Remember that some insurance plans that include orthodontic treatment may cover clear aligners if you get them through a doctor. However, they may not cover at-home options.
Snap-on Veneers Are an Affordable Invisalign Alternative
Many competing clear aligner brands offer cheaper at-home or in-office alternatives to Invisalign. Whether you’re a candidate for clear aligners and which choice is best for you depends on your dental issues, smile goals, and budget. A dental professional can help you make the right decision.
If you want to enhance your smile without having to see an orthodontist, consider the options offered by Shiny Smile Veneers. You can perfect your smile with custom-made snap-on veneers that fit easily over your teeth. They may be a good, affordable alternative to clear aligners like Invisalign for people looking to restore their smile.