More and more mail-order aligner companies have entered the scene over the past few years and in response, each company has sought ways to stand out — fast treatment times, low prices, and more.
One of the most unique perks to emerge has been SnapCorrect’s free whitening for life. And it’s no surprise that SnapCorrect excels in the whitening game since they grew out of the beauty industry.
Other at-home clear aligner companies offer whitening services, but usually, only the first bottle or set is free. Once it runs out, you’ll need to buy more. Coupled with their relatively low sticker price, this makes SnapCorrect an intriguing option.
Whitening is not the only aspect to consider when choosing an aligner, though. There’s price, efficiency, quality, and much more. In this guide, we’ll cover our four favorite alternatives to SnapCorrect so you can choose the option that’s best for you.
Byte | #1
Once you start at-home clear aligner treatment, it can be hard to wait for the final results: your perfect smile. With a lot of aligner companies, you’ll need to wait at least 6 months. Not with Byte, though: their average treatment time is just 4 months (5 months for nighttime treatment).
Their industry shortest treatment lengths are due to Byte’s proprietary device, the HyperByte. It works in tandem with your aligners, using tiny, rapid vibrations to help gently shift your teeth into their new positions and ensure a more comfortable fit.
Treatment length is just one of the differences between Byte and SnapCorrect, though. Here are some other distinctions:
- Overall Value: SnapCorrect’s sticker price is cheaper than Byte’s — SnapCorrect costs $1,749 and Byte costs $1,895 ($2,295 for nighttime treatment). That $150 difference isn’t much unless you take into account what that price gets you. With both companies, you’ll get your first set of post-treatment retainers for free. But Byte throws in their HyperByte device, too. Purchased separately, this would cost nearly $700, so it’s a good value. But SnapCorrect’s whitening for life makes it a decent value, too. It really boils down to your own treatment priorities.
- Financing: The prices for Byte and SnapCorrect are much more attainable than traditional braces or Invisalign. Both companies make it even easier to get treatment by offering financing. SnapCorrect offers flexible plans, but you’ll have to pass a credit check to qualify. Byte’s financing program (called BytePay) has a 100% approval rate; you’ll simply need to pay the $249 ($299 for nighttime) down payment to be eligible.
- Wear Requirements: Most companies require you to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day to achieve the optimal results. This timetable applies to SnapCorrect as well as Byte’s daytime aligners. That rigorous wear schedule can be a pain for some busy adults, though. Byte saw that need and added nighttime aligners to their treatment options. If you choose this alternative, you’ll only have to wear your aligners for 10 hours per night.
SnapCorrect’s free whitening for life is an intriguing option. But for us, that’s not enough to rank them over Byte. That’s because Byte is our #1-ranked home clear aligner service. They leverage great value, short treatment times, and flexible wear schedules.
Candid | #2
At-home aligners haven’t been around very long, but in the short time they have been on the scene, they’ve gained a pretty big following. One company with an especially large customer base is Candid; they’re actually the second-largest home aligner company.
Though Candid got their start as a fully remote clear aligner provider, they recently shifted to “Candid Pro,” a hybrid at-home/in-office treatment. This treatment model strikes a nice balance between the hands-on care of in-office options, and the convenience of at-home treatment. Your treatment is administered by a local dentist in the Candid network, and overseen remotely via the CandidMonitoring system.
Treatment oversight isn’t the only difference between SnapCorrect and Candid, though. Here are a few other factors worth considering:
- Ease of Getting Started: With SnapCorrect, you’ll get your treatment started with an at-home impression kit. Impression kits can be a little tricky, but it’s nice that you can complete them from home. With Candid, your treatment kicks off at an in-person appointment with a local dentist in the Candid network. Candid has partnered with over 200 dentists, and they’re always expanding. But unfortunately this does mean not everyone will be able to choose Candid, due to location.
- Treatment Oversight: With most clear aligner companies, your treatment is largely self-directed; it’s up to you to wear your aligners as prescribed. But Candid takes it a step further with their CandidMonitoring system. Every 10-14 days you’ll use your smartphone and a special imaging device to send in photo updates through the Candid app, all without leaving the comfort of your own home. The Candid team and/or your dentist will review your progress, and make any adjustments necessary.
- Price: SnapCorrect’s treatment is priced at $1,749, which is a bit under the industry average. Due to Candid’s in-person elements, their treatment is much more expensive. Your price is determined by the dentist overseeing your treatment, but you can count on spending at least $3,500 (though it could be more). Though this price tag is higher than Candid’s fully remote competitors, we think it’s fair given the cost of in-person care.
Candid is an all-around great company, so if you’re drawn to them, then shop with confidence; they get a thumbs-up from us. They’re our #2 ranked service for a reason! They’re a premium option with robust treatment oversight and all the convenience of at-home aligner treatment.
AlignerCo | #3
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, then look no further than AlignerCo. Affordability is AlignerCo’s claim to fame. SnapCorrect is cheaper than most other at-home aligner companies, but that’s not true when you compare them to AlignerCo. But price difference is just one of the many differences you should keep in mind when choosing between AlignerCo and SnapCorrect:
- Price: SnapCorrect has one of the most affordable sticker prices in the industry: $1,749. That said, AlignerCo is nearly $600 cheaper at a price point of $1,145 ($1,345 for nighttime treatment). AlignerCo also offers a $100 referral discount (you can often find these codes online thanks to influencers and bloggers, too).
- Financing: Can’t pay for the entire treatment up front? Don’t worry; you’re not the only one. That’s why both SnapCorrect and AlignerCo offer financing. The details of payment plans for each vary, though. With SnapCorrect, you’ll have access to several different plan options provided you pass their credit check. AlignerCo offers two methods: one with a credit check and one without (there’s a down payment instead).
- Free Whitening: A lot of companies offer at least one bottle of their free whitening treatments with each aligner kit, but SnapCorrect takes it even further. They offer free whitening for life once you’re a customer. AlignerCo, however, doesn’t include free whitening. That’s because they want to keep your costs as low as possible.
- Treatment Length: SnapCorrect’s average treatment times range from 6 to 10 months. If that seems like a wide range, keep in mind that AlignerCo’s is similar: 6 to 11 months (8 to 12 for nighttime treatment). Neither service is the fastest on the market, but SnapCorrect is the faster of the two.
- Wear Requirements: With traditional daytime aligners, you have to wear them for 20-22 hours per day. But if that sounds like a hassle, AlignerCo has you covered with their nighttime option, AlignerCo NightOnly. SnapCorrect doesn’t currently offer nighttime treatments.
SnapCorrect has an intriguing offering of free whitening for life, but we prefer AlignerCo, simply because they’re incredibly affordable. We know that cost is a big factor for a lot of adults, and AlignerCo delivers the budget-friendly value you may need. And since they don’t sacrifice treatment quality in exchange for affordability, they get our seal of approval.
Smile Direct Club | #4
Smile Direct Club is the company to thank for at-home clear aligners. They were the first company to bring them directly to the consumer back in 2014. At one point, Smile Direct Club had a partnership with Invisalign, a strategic co-op that gave Smile Direct Club a lot of advantages.
That partnership eventually dissolved, but not before Smile Direct Club gained a lot of brand power. To date, they’ve served more than a million customers. No other aligner company comes close to matching their reach.
In contrast, SnapCorrect is much smaller. But size isn’t the only difference between the two companies:
- Price: At $1,749, SnapCorrect is about $300 cheaper than Smile Direct Club, which costs $2,050. But more important is what those price points contain. SnapCorrect includes the first set of post-treatment aligners for free, and Smile Direct Club doesn’t. Since that extra usually runs $99, it’s worth noting.
- Ease of Getting Started: To kick off aligner treatment, you’ll need to take impressions of your teeth and send them to your chosen company. Smile Direct Club and SnapCorrect sell kits to help you do just that. However, some people find it tricky to create impressions on their own. Smile Direct Club alleviates this problem by maintaining SmileShops; if you visit a Shop, they’ll take images of your teeth for you for free, so you won’t need to order an impression kit.
- Wear Requirements: For maximum effectiveness, you need to wear traditional daytime aligners for 22 hours each day in order to make your treatment stick. Some busy adults find this wear schedule inconvenient. Smile Direct Club has a solution: Nighttime Clear Aligners. With this treatment option, you’ll only need to wear your aligners for 10 hours per night for a total of 10 months. SnapCorrect doesn’t have a comparable nighttime treatment.
- Refunds and Satisfaction Guarantees: SnapCorrect doesn’t have a strict refund policy, but they do want you to be satisfied. If you’re not pleased with the end results, SnapCorrect will work with you to get you some new aligners to perfect your treatment. Smile Direct Club, on the other hand, has a refund policy and a satisfaction guarantee. Their guarantee is pretty much the same as SnapCorrect’s. For the refund, if you change your mind within 30 days, you can get all of your money back.
SnapCorrect and Smile Direct Club are both good companies, but we prefer Smile Direct Club. They’ve served more than a million customers for good reason: their treatment is solid, and they combine a fair value with their convenient treatment options.
Which SnapCorrect Alternative Should You Choose?
SnapCorrect — and all the other companies we’ve included in this review — are good options. If you’re drawn to one, then trust your gut. But if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, we understand. When you buy at-home aligners, you’re entrusting the future of your smile to the company you choose.
Our top two picks are Byte (#1) and Candid (#2), and both are great for different reasons. Byte wins our pick for best overall value thanks to their HyperByte system, their sheer speed, and their Byte-For-Life guarantee. Candid is an overall great provider. We think their hybrid system combines the best of at-home and in-office options, giving you a convenient treatment with robust oversight.
Common Questions
What does it mean when you have a “bad bite?”
There is no judgment in this term! It is just how orthodontists often refer to malocclusion. Basically, it means that the teeth are not properly aligned. This could mean crowding, gaps, or even the upper and lower teeth not coming together correctly.
How do at-home clear aligners correct tooth placement?
They place pressure on the teeth through their shape. Each aligner changes shape, which alters the pressure. Week by week, your teeth shift a bit more until they reach their ideal positions.
What are at-home clear aligners made from?
Each company might offer slightly different aligner materials. However, all reputable companies will use smooth BPA-free medical-grade plastic.
Are impression kits or 3D scans better?
Better is subjective. For some, impression kits are better because they cannot get to an in-person location or because their choice of company doesn’t offer these scans. For others, scans are best since they leave little room for error and are more comfortable.
What if I mess up my impressions?
In most cases, the company will send you another impression kit free of charge. Keep in mind that some services, like Byte, will walk you through the process over video chat. We also suggest watching video tutorials to help you prepare.
Should I expect my teeth to hurt while in treatment?
Orthodontic treatment shouldn’t be painful, but sometimes when you are correcting alignment, you will experience soreness. This is because of the pressure placed on the teeth and how this impacts the ligaments that hold the teeth in place. Most people report a few days of discomfort with their first aligner, and then having this return for a few hours after each aligner switch.
How can I keep my teeth in alignment after treatment?
You will need to wear retainers to hold your teeth in place. Usually, you start by wearing them all day, but soon enough switch to wearing them just at night. Eventually, you should be able to wear them just a few days a week.
Can I use insurance for mail-order clear aligner treatment?
This depends on the terms your provider sets for your policy and which insurance companies the aligner manufacturer works with. While not all policies cover mail-order aligners, and not all aligner companies accept insurance, it is always worth it to check and see what coverage you have.
Why are mail-order clear aligners so much cheaper than in-office options?
It is easy to assume that lower costs means cutting corners. However, any corners that are cut don’t impact treatment. Essentially, all the office-related costs are taken out of the equation. So rent, office visits, additional staff and treatments, and other elements are not factored into the price, keeping it low.