Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign are an effective way to straighten your teeth. But they can be expensive and cost you $3,000 to $8,000.

Insurance also doesn’t cover these services unless you have orthodontic benefits. Unfortunately, these can also get pricey and cost you up to $200 a month.

At-home clear teeth aligners are affordable alternatives to traditional orthodontics. They can save you thousands of dollars and still help you achieve a straighter smile.

Many brands also offer flexible financing options like monthly payment plans. This lets you split the treatment cost across several months and fit it into your budget.

Why Trust Our Review?

To find the best cheap invisible braces on the market, we:

• Spent 200+ hours researching the most trusted affordable brands
• Scanned 500+ customer reviews for each clear aligner
• Consulted 10+ health experts, including licensed orthodontists
• Talked to 3 industry experts like CEOs of the top clear aligners
• Reviewed over 20+ research papers on clear aligner kits
• Asked 3 of our writers to test different teeth-straightening kits
• Had our in-house dentists fact-check our article for accuracy
• Updated our review every month with the latest information

The 4 Cheapest Invisible Braces of 2024

Choosing an affordable clear aligner isn’t just about cutting costs. You want an option that fits your budgeting approach.

Below are the most affordable teeth aligners we recommend.

	Byte	Motto	ALIGNERCO	NewSmile
Best for	Value	Comprehensive Care	Budget	Affordable Plans
Our rating	4.2 out of 5	4 out of 5	3.7 out of 5	3.9 out of 5
Cost	$1,999 to $2,399	$1,895 to $2,495	$995 to $1,120	$1,595 to $1,695
Monthly payments	$70 to $84 per month	$52 to $68 per month	$77 to $94 per month	$55 to $64
Installment terms	Up to 36 months	Up to 60 months	Up to 12 months	Up to 36 months
Downpayment costs	$0 or $249 to $399	$0	$0 or $335 to $445	$0 or $180 to $190
Accepts insurance	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Accepts HSA/FSA	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

1. Byte

Best Value Overall

Byte is one of few companies with a Lifetime Guarantee. So if your teeth become misaligned after treatment, they can provide new aligners to help you get it back for free.

Byte Costs & Features

• Average Treatment Time: 3 to 6 months
• Recommended For: Correcting mild to moderately crooked teeth
• Accepted Insurance: HSA, FSA, and some dental insurance
• Byte All-Day Aligners: $1,999 or $70/mo. for 36 months ($249 downpayment)
• Byte At-Night Aligners: $2,399 or $84/mo. for 36 months ($399 downpayment)
• Byte Impression Kit: $95 (refunded if you’re not qualified)
• Byte Retainers: Starts at $89 (free first set with your treatment)
• BrightByte® Whitener: Starts at $20 (free with your treatment)
• HyperByte® Device: $699 (free with your treatment)
• Byte Protection Plan: $749 for 5 years’ supply of retainers

What’s included in the cost?

If you opt for Byte’s treatment plans, your kit will include the following:

• Impression kit and a 3D model of your teeth before and after treatment
• Your custom treatment plan from a licensed dentist or orthodontist
• All of your daytime or nighttime aligners depending on your plan
• Free Byte retainers for the first six months after treatment
• The HyperByte® device (may help speed up your treatment)
• Three-in-one foam that whitens teeth and cleans aligners
• Byte for Life™ Guarantee and free shipping to US states

Why we recommend it

• Many customers are happy with the fast delivery of their orders
• Has clear instructions on how to take impressions and use aligners
• Taking impressions is easy and you can get support on your treatment
• Most people who have tried Byte say it isn’t painful or uncomfortable
• Byte effectively straightens teeth based on many user reviews

Why consider other brands

• You may need some dental work before you can use Byte
• You can get ill-fitting aligners if you don’t take accurate impressions
• It may take longer to complete treatment, which adds to the costs
• Customer service may take time to respond or resolve your issues
• May not work for people with more severe teeth misalignment

Sale: Impression Kit for only $17.95

2. Motto

Best Value for Comprehensive Care

A dentist from a local Aspen Dental Clinic will be supervising your entire treatment for 50% cheaper than Invisalign.

Motto Costs & Features

• Average Treatment Time: 6 to 8 months
• Recommended For: Correcting mild to complex cases of crooked teeth
• Accepted Insurance: HSA, FSA, and some dental insurance
• Motto Essential: $1,895 or $52/mo. for 60 months (zero downpayment)
• Motto Plus: $2,195 or $60/mo. for 60 months (zero downpayment)
• Motto Complete: $2,495 or $65/mo. for 60 months (zero downpayment)

What’s included in the cost?

All Motto treatment plans include the following:

• In-person assessment and treatment plan by a licensed dentist
• Scheduled in-office visits at a nearby Aspen Dental Clinic
• Free refinements for up to 30 days after your treatment
• Free teeth whitening and a free retainer to keep your new smile
• Up to 8 free replacement retainers (for Motto Plus users)
• Free virtual check-ins via an app (for Motto Complete users)

Why we recommend it

• Addresses a range of teeth alignment issues, from mild to complex
• Individualized treatments with remote or in-person monitoring
• Professional dental oversight throughout your treatment process
• Easily accessible through 1,040 Aspen Dental locations nationwide
• Manufactured by SureSmile, a reputable provider of clear aligners

Why consider other brands

• You prefer the convenience of at-home clear aligner treatments
• Remote monitoring only included with the Motto Complete package
• Relatively new product with a less established track record

3. ALIGNERCO

Best Budget

ALIGNERCO lets you split payments into monthly installments (with or without a downpayment) if you cannot pay upfront for the total treatment cost.

ALIGNERCO Costs & Features

• Average Treatment Time: 4 to 8 months
• Recommended For: Correcting mild to moderately crooked teeth
• Accepted Insurance: HSA, FSA, and some dental insurance
• SmileAdvantage Aligners: $995 or $77/mo. for 12 months (zero downpayment) or $135/mo. for 6 months ($335 downpayment)
• NightAdvantage Aligners: $1,120 or $94/mo. for 12 months (zero downpayment) or $150/mo. for 6 months ($445 downpayment)
• Impression Kit First Plan: $75 (refunded if you’re not qualified)
• Retainers: $215 (free first set with your treatment)
• Teeth Whitening Kit: $49.99 (free with your treatment)
• Smile Protection Plan: $549 for 8 retainers and 4 years supply

What’s included in the cost?

ALIGNERCO’s teeth straightening plans include the following:

• Impression kit and a projection of your smile before and after treatment
• Your personalized treatment plan from a licensed orthodontist
• All of your daytime or nighttime aligners depending on your plan
• Free ALIGNERCO retainers for the first six months after treatment
• Free teeth whitening set that brightens your smile
• Free shipping to US states

Why we recommend it

• It’s one of the cheapest invisible aligners with flexible monthly payments
• New York clinic offers in-person consultations (you can book online)
• Provides support to ensure you take accurate impressions
• Has an app (AlignerTrack) that will guide you throughout your treatment
• You can access specialists online if you need help or have questions

Why consider other brands

• Some customers say its aligner trays are ill-fitting and uncomfortable
• Retainers can feel cheap and break easily but cost more than competitors
• Adjustment aligners may arrive late and extend your treatment time
• Poor customer service with long waiting times and difficulty getting refunds
• Few have complained of hidden costs and fees they didn’t know about

New Year Sale: $795 for aligners with free aligner cleaner.

4. NewSmile

Best Affordable Plans

NewSmile also lets you schedule a video call with an Impression Specialist who can walk you through taking accurate impressions.

NewSmile Costs & Features

• Average Treatment Time: 4 to 10 months
• Recommended For: Correcting mild to moderately crooked teeth
• Accepted Insurance: HSA, FSA, and some dental insurance
• Fast Track Day Aligners: $1,595 or $55/mo. for 36 months (zero downpayment) or $74/mo. for 36 months ($180 downpayment)
• Night Aligners: $1,695 or $64/mo. for 36 months (zero downpayment) or $78/mo. for 36 months ($190 downpayment)
• NewSmile Impression Kit: $139 (refunded if you’re not qualified)
• New Smile Retainers: $149 (free first set with your treatment)
• Teeth Whitener: $39 (free with your treatment)

What’s included in the cost?

• Impression kit and access to a specialist who will help you get teeth molds
• A 3D image of what your smile may look like after treatment
• Your custom treatment plan from a licensed dentist
• All of your day or night aligners, depending on your selected plan
• Your first set of NewSmile retainers after the treatment
• Teeth whitening pens that give you a brighter smile
• Newsmile Guarantee and free shipping to US states

Why we recommend it

• The cheapest aligners you can buy that actually are good quality
• Has friendly representatives that will answer questions and guide you
• Many users had a great experience with its fast and easy onboarding
• Its clear aligners are discreet and won’t draw attention to your teeth
• NewSmile specialists can monitor your progress remotely with an app

Why consider other brands

• People have complained of delayed orders that may take months to arrive
• Support staff aren’t as helpful or transparent if you encounter issues
• You may find it difficult to cancel your order or request a refund
• Not all customers are satisfied with the quality of its aligners
• Users are worried about the privacy of the photos they send over the app

Use code NewMouthDeal for $100 off Aligners and code NewMouthKit for $20 off impression kit.

Are Cheap Teeth Aligners Safe?

If you choose a trusted brand with mostly positive reviews, daytime aligners are generally safe to use.

They can help correct mild or moderate teeth misalignment, such as:

• Overlapping and crooked teeth (dental crowding)
• Too much spacing between teeth (gapped teeth)
• Twisted or rotated teeth

However, we don’t recommend using night-only aligners because there is currently no evidence that they are safe or effective.

At-home invisible aligners are also not advised for severely misaligned teeth like an overbite, underbite, and open bite.

Do Clear Aligners Cause Side Effects?

When you wear clear aligners for the first time, you may feel sore and uncomfortable and experience changes in your speech.

For instance, you may suddenly find it difficult to pronounce “s” and “z” clearly (lisp) or hear whistling sounds when you talk.

These are normal side effects and usually disappear once you get used to wearing invisible aligners.

What to Consider When Getting Clear Aligners

Choosing the best clear aligner brand isn’t easy if you don’t know what to look for. Here are five things to consider to narrow it down:

1. Level of teeth misalignment

There are two kinds of clear aligners: in-office and at-home. What you’ll need depends on how severe your teeth misalignment or malocclusion is:

• In-office clear aligners like Invisalign and ClearCorrect work on mild, moderate, and severe misalignment. In-office visits to a dentist or orthodontist are required, but you can continue your treatment at home.
• At-home clear aligners such as ALIGNERCO and Byte work on mild and moderate malocclusions. Treatments are done at home and are usually monitored remotely by a dental professional.

If you want to get your teeth straightened, it’s best that you talk to a dentist or orthodontist to find out which treatment option is for you.

2. Treatment costs and your budget

Many people just look at the price tag of clear aligners. But this only covers initial treatment costs. You should also consider other expenses, like:

• The cost of the impression kit (if it isn’t included)
• The cost of retainers needed after treatment
• Other tools and products that will maintain your smile

If it takes longer to straighten your teeth or if your teeth shift back into place after the treatment, you may need more aligners to correct them.

While some companies have guarantees to help cover the cost of additional aligners, others don’t. You’ll have to pay for them yourself.

You must compare these costs across different brands to see which ones are within your budget.

3. Availability of flexible payments

If you can’t pay for the full treatment cost upfront, look for a brand that offers affordable monthly installments so you can fit it into your budget.

Companies that offer zero-interest or low-interest monthly installments and little to no downpayment will help you save more money in the long run.

4. HSA, FSA, and insurance

Most clear aligners are covered by a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA).

Dental insurance policies also cover some brands or are in-network with major health insurance companies.

Find out which of these options are available to you and how much coverage you’re getting for your chosen aligners.

5. Treatment time

Clear aligners can straighten teeth in 3 to 18 months. Average treatment times help you gauge how long you must wait before seeing results.

Go for a brand that can give you results within an allowable time frame.

Remember that the actual time it takes to get straight teeth will depend on how crooked they are and if you wear clear aligners as prescribed.

The fewer misalignments you have, the faster the results.

Should I Get Braces or Affordable Teeth Aligners?

• When to get traditional metal braces: If you have severely crooked teeth, bite issues, and other dental problems that cause jaw misalignment.
• When to get at-home teeth aligners: If you have mild to moderately misaligned teeth and don’t have bite problems.
• When to get in-office teeth aligners: If you have mild to severe teeth misalignment and want a more comprehensive treatment that’s still more affordable than traditional braces.

Which Clear Aligner is Right for You?

• Choose Byte if you want the best value for your money. You’ll get everything you need to have that perfect smile: from teeth whiteners to a guarantee that offers new aligners if your treatment doesn’t work.
• Choose Motto if you want comprehensive care for an affordable price. It can treat more teeth misalignments than other brands of at-home clear aligners.
• Choose ALIGNERCO if you want the most affordable aligners you can get upfront. But because its retainers cost $215, the upkeep for maintaining your straight teeth is going to be expensive.
• Choose NewSmile if you want to split your payment into affordable monthly installments. There are plans with little to no downpayment, making it a budget-friendly option.

The Takeaway

At-home clear aligners are a practical and inexpensive way to straighten your teeth. When picking a brand, you must consider:

• How severe your teeth misalignment is
• The total treatment cost and your budget
• Availability of flexible payments
• If your HSA, FSA, or insurance will cover it
• The time it will take to complete treatment

Remember to discuss your teeth straightening options with a dental expert. They can help you choose an orthodontic treatment based on these factors.

How We Chose the Most Affordable Teeth Aligners

To help you choose the best clear aligner for your budget, we spent 200+ hours researching the top brands based on the following criteria:

• Doctor-directed care – the involvement of dental professionals
• Safe onboarding – how the company qualifies patients
• Treatment process – ease, safety, and effectiveness of the treatment
• Upfront treatment costs – the amount you need to pay upfront
• Insurance eligibility – the types of insurance accepted by a brand
• Affordable monthly plans – how much you have to pay each month
• Value for money – what you get with the amount you’re paying
• Customer support – the level of support provided by a company
• User satisfaction – how satisfied the customers are with the products, services, and their overall experience with a brand
• Guarantees and refunds – offers additional treatments and refunds for dissatisfied customers and unqualified patients

NewMouth Rating System

We ordered the best kits that met our criteria and had in-house writers test them out throughout the duration of their prescribed treatment.

While testing the clear aligners, our team assessed and scored them based on five traits. Each trait was assigned a “weight” so we could calculate their individual rating and weighted average scores on a scale of five.

Here is how we rated the best clear aligners on our list:

Customer Experience

Using artificial intelligence, we gathered and analyzed feedback from hundreds of people who tried our list’s clear aligners.

This helped us determine the users’ experiences with a brand, including:

• Its availability for in-person and/or virtual consultations
• The accessibility of its clear aligners and ease of ordering
• Whether it gives clear instructions for taking dental impressions
• The fit and comfort of its invisible braces when worn

Treatment

We compared the brands’ average treatment times and effectiveness for correcting mild and moderate teeth misalignment.

Our team also examined them for any products or services they provided that would help customers during and after their treatment, such as:

• Access to dental experts who can answer your questions and guide you throughout your treatment
• A dedicated app that reminds users to switch aligners and allows them to conveniently track their progress and contact support
• Regular virtual and/or in-person check-ins with a dental professional who can ensure that your treatment is going well
• Additional dental treatments such as teeth whitening

Pricing and Financing

We explored the total treatment cost of invisible braces, including their upfront prices, flexibility of payment options, eligibility for insurance, and maintenance costs for additional retainers.

Customer Service and After-Sales Support

Our team performed an in-depth investigation of each brand’s customer support when answering queries and resolving issues. We assessed their:

• Availability
• Responsiveness
• Knowledge
• Reliability
• Friendliness

We also checked companies to see if they offered guarantees for clear aligner adjustments, refinements, replacements, or refunds if you’re not qualified or if the treatment doesn’t work for you.

Brand Reputation

With the help of advanced AI algorithms, we were able to sort through hundreds of customer reviews that would indicate the level of trust they had in a clear aligner brand.