Byte vs Smile Direct Club — Which are the Best Home Aligners?

Do you dream of fixing your smile? Maybe you’d like to straighten teeth, close gaps, or correct an overbite?

In the past, solving such problems involved long visits to a dentist or orthodontist. Plus, the use of braces which can be expensive — $3,000 to $10,000. (3)

But now, there’s a cheaper and more convenient option for fixing your teeth — teledentistry. The treatment is usually done 100% from the comfort of your home and replaces fixed braces with clear aligners. It also tends to be quicker than traditional treatments and less visible.

In this review, we’ll be looking at two popular at-home aligner brands: Smile Direct Club and Byte. Both are very popular with influencers on social media, but do they live up to the hype?

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about them and whether they are the right fit for you!

What Is a Home Aligner? 

Aligners are clear, plastic molds that fit over your teeth and gently move them into alignment. Hence the ‘aligner’ part of the name. 

The ‘home’ part refers to how the treatment can be carried out entirely from your home — from taking an impression of your teeth to the delivery of the aligners and the completion of the aligner course.

There’s no need to meet a dentist face to face, although you usually have a dentist following your progress remotely.

Home aligners aren’t necessarily suitable for all teeth conditions. Severe problems may still be best corrected with face-to-face dentistry. 

How Do I Know if I’m a Good Candidate for Home Aligners?

In general terms, if you have mild crookedness, gaps or overbite, home aligners are usually effective in correcting the problem.

However, the only way to know for sure whether or not you are a good candidate for home aligners is to get your teeth assessed by a home aligner company.

With Smile Direct Club and Byte, you can do this by ordering one of their impression kits to your home and sending the results back to them. They’ll then tell you if you are suitable for treatment or not.

With Smile Direct, you also have the option to get your teeth scanned in person by going to one of their Smile shops.

The Best Home Aligners to Use

Smile Direct Club and Byte are two of the best-known aligner brands. Smile Direct Club has been around for longer, being one of the first home aligner companies. 

While Byte is relatively newer — but has quickly gained popularity and positive reviews because of their unique HyperByte device, which shortens treatment times.

What makes remote aligner treatments like those from Byte and Smile Direct Club different from traditional braces is that they are:

• 100% remote — no visits to dentists.
• Lower prices — often half the price of traditional braces.
• Shorter treatment times — months, not years.
• Nighttime-only options — wear your aligners only at night.

Byte vs. Smile Direct Club: Comparison Table 

80% off impression kits from $14.95: Byte

Byte Review

Byte entered the home aligner market in 2019. Founded two years earlier by Scott Cohen and Blake Johnson, Byte soon became one of the leading teledentistry companies, partly due to their innovative HyperByte technology that cuts down treatment time.

How do Byte Aligners Work? 

How Long Do Byte Treatments Take?

For all-day aligners, the average treatment time with Byte is 3-4 months.

For nighttime aligners, the treatment time is longer at 5-6 months as you wear them for less time.

80% off impression kits from $14.95: Byte

Why Choose Byte?

1. The convenience of 100% remote home aligner treatment. Not only does fully remote treatment save you time, but it also saves you the hassle of negotiating traffic and finding parking.
2. One of the fastest average treatment times. If you use their all-day aligners, average Byte treatments are only 3-4 months or 5-6 months if using their nighttime aligners. They achieve this through their patented HyperByte technology which sends micro pulses or HFVs (High-Frequency Vibrations) through your teeth. It also helps increase aligner comfort and is included in every treatment plan.
3. Cheaper than traditional treatments such as braces. On average braces cost around $3,000 – $10,000, compared to $1,895 for Byte’s all-day aligners. (1) 
4. Finance options are available. These plans have a 100% approval rate. The all-day plan involves a $249 down payment and 32 monthly payments of $82 — $2,869 in total. The nighttime plan has a $299 down payment and 32 monthly payments of $99 — $3,467 in total.

Is Byte Better Than Invisalign?

Byte may be better than Invisalign if you’re looking for faster, more affordable teeth straightening or if you like the convenience of doing the treatment from home — although both are well-respected aligner companies. 

Byte’s treatment times are considerably shorter than Invisalign’s, at 3-4 months compared with 12-18 months. Byte is also cheaper, $1,895-$3,467 compared with $3,000-$10,000. 

However, Byte may not be suitable for more complicated teeth alignment cases. You can find this out by taking impressions of your teeth using their impression kit. And if you’re not suitable, they refund the cost, so there’s not much to lose by trying.

80% off impression kits from $14.95: Byte

How Much Does Byte Really Cost? 

Byte costs $1,895 for all-day aligners or $2,295 for nighttime aligners. The price includes everything you need for your treatment, as well as your first set of retainers and teeth whitening.

Additional costs are your first impression kit ($95, which often has special offers) and additional retainers after your first pair, which come included (additional retainers are at $129), with a set of retainers normally needed every 6-12 months.

Does Byte Offer Finance?

Yes. Byte offers finance plans with 100% approval for both all-day and nighttime aligner treatments. 

The all-day plan involves a $249 down payment and 32 monthly payments of $82 (this calculates to a total of $2,873 spread over 2 years, 8 months). 

The nighttime plan has a $299 down payment and 32 monthly payments of $99 (this calculates to a total of $3,467 spread over 2 years, 8 months). 

Does My Insurance Cover Byte Treatments?

If your policy covers dentistry costs, then you may be able to claim some of the cost from your insurer. However you would have to speak to your insurer to confirm your benefits.

Byte Home Aligner Before and After

Byte features some before and after shots from their customers like this one:

80% off impression kits from $14.95: Byte

What Customers Say About Byte

Byte had an average score of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,672 reviewers on Trustpilot. Here are some common things that people had to say about Byte:

• Good explanations and support were given from staff throughout the process.
• The HyperByte device made the treatment very fast.
• Noticeable differences in the straightness of teeth were observed.
• The included teeth whitener worked well.
• More cost-effective than traditional orthodontic treatment.

However, a few reviewers found Byte occasionally slow to respond to emails. But most praised how patient their customer service was with answering their questions. 

These are a few examples of reviews from happy customers:

Do Dentists Recommend Byte?

Byte works with 200+ licensed orthodontists and dentists who would recommend Byte if they find that your case is suitable after analyzing your impressions. They will also help to create your custom aligner plan and monitor your progress throughout your treatment.

Byte is one of the more affordable clear aligner companies as well as one of the fastest in terms of treatment times and has very comprehensive guarantees in its ‘Byte for life’ promise. Couple this with its very high review rating, and it seems Byte is an excellent choice for home aligner treatment.

Smile Direct Club Home Aligner Review

Smile Direct Club is one of the longest-running home aligner companies in the US, having started in 2014. Since then, they have carried out over 1 million treatments.

Smile Direct Club Impression Kit

The Smile Direct Club Impression Kit costs $59 (now on sale for $18) and is mailed to your home. It contains two sets of trays, putty, instructions, and a ‘smile stretcher.’

You use the smile stretcher to position your mouth so that you can take clear pictures of your teeth. You then send these to Smile Direct along with the impressions.

Impression kit reduced to $18: Smile Direct Club

Why Choose Smile Direct Club?

1. 100% remote treatment, but clinic scans are available too. Home treatment saves you the time, hassle, and expense of dentist visits. But if you’re not confident in taking your own teeth impressions, Smile Direct also gives you the choice to have your teeth scanned by trained staff at their shops for free.
2. All-day and nighttime aligner plans are the same price. With many home aligner treatments, you pay a premium for nighttime aligners over all-day aligners, but Smile Direct Club has both options at the same price. This makes Smile Direct Club cheaper than Byte if you want nighttime aligners, even though it’s slightly more expensive than Byte for all-day aligners. Smile Direct Club is more affordable than Invisalign for both options — at $1,950 compared to $3,000 – $10,000.
3. Finance plan available. The finance plan is the same for day and nighttime aligners. And even though Smile Direct Club’s finance plans don’t state that they offer 100% approval, they do say there are no credit checks and forms to fill out.
4. Shorter treatment time than Invisalign. On average, Smile Direct Club’s treatment times are 4-6 months compared to 12-18 months for Invisalign.

How Long Does the Treatment Take?

For all-day aligners, the treatment time is typically 4-6 months. The nighttime treatment is around 10 months.

Impression kit reduced to $18: Smile Direct Club

How Do I Get Started With Smile Direct Club?

How Much Do Smile Direct Club Aligners Cost? 

Smile Direct Club aligners cost $1,950 for both the all-day and nighttime aligners. Teeth whitening is included in all treatments.

Does Smile Direct Club Offer Finance?

Smile Direct Club offers one finance plan for both all-day and nighttime aligners. It consists of a $250 down payment and then $89 a month for 24 months. The total cost – spread over two years is $2,386.

Does My Insurance Cover Smile Direct Club Treatments?

If your insurance covers dental work, then it may cover aligner treatments. However, you’ll have to check your policy or speak to your insurers yourself.

Which is Cheaper, Smile Direct Club or Byte?

If you want all-day aligners, Byte is a little cheaper than Smile Direct Club at $1,895 compared to $1,950. However, if you want nighttime aligners, Smile Direct Club is more affordable at $1,950 compared to $2,295.

Which Monthly Payment Plan Works Out Cheaper Overall?

If you pay monthly rather than upfront, Smile Direct Club is cheaper for all-day and nighttime aligners at $2,386 compared to Byte’s $2,869 for all-day aligners and $3,467 for nighttime aligners.

However it is worth noting that Byte adds value to its package by including the HyperByte device in its pricing. The HyperByte is worth about $400 if purchased separately and is a mouthpiece that you bite onto for 5-10 minutes a day to help your teeth with their alignment.

You use it in addition to the clear aligner treatment), and it significantly cuts down the whole treatment time.

What Customers Say About Smile Direct Club Home Aligners

Smile Direct Club scored an average of 4.8 stars out of 5 from 21,946 reviewers on Trustpilot and Influenster. Many customers were happy with their experience, and these were some common themes:

• The initial impression-taking process was efficient and easy, whether taking impressions at the clinic or at home.  
• Fast improvements were seen — some within three weeks.
• Helpful and professional staff — they even helped replace lost trays.
• Many found it an affordable alternative to traditional braces.

Some reviewers mentioned that they had to wait a while when visiting a Smile Shop to have their teeth scanned, but they were still satisfied when they were seen. 

There were also several customers who mentioned that the aligners could feel a little thick and uncomfortable. So it might be better for those that have smaller adjustments needed so that the treatments cause less discomfort. 

Overall, Smile Direct Club reviewers seem overwhelmingly happy with the service, as shown in some of the positive reviews below: 

Is Smile Direct Club Legit? 

Smile Direct Club is one of the most established home aligner companies in the US. They have a very high rating from a large number of reviewers and have treated over a million people. But, most importantly, the majority of their customers seem very happy with their results.

Which Is Better, Byte or Smile Direct Club?

Byte may be better for you if you want a shorter treatment time because they include the HyperByte device in their pricing. This device may also help with teeth movement if you have more significant teeth straightening needed.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a cheaper deal, then Smile Direct Club’s nighttime aligners or their monthly payment plans may be the best choice for you as they come up slightly cheaper than Byte’s. Although on other plans, – like Byte’s daytime aligners with upfront payment – Byte is slightly cheaper ($55 less) than Smile Direct Club’s equivalent plan.

If the speed of treatment is most important to you, then Byte has the fastest average treatment times — 3-4 months for all-day aligners compared to 4-6 months for Smile Direct Club, and 5-6 months for nighttime aligners compared to Smile Direct Club’s 8-10 months.

Byte also offers more peace of mind with its lifetime guarantee. Smile Direct Club will continue treatment free of charge if your final results do not match the plan’s promise. But this is at their discretion. You also have to inform them of any issues no later than 30 days after the treatment ends.

On the other hand, Byte promises to correct any misalignment (free of charge) if your teeth move any time after your treatment ends. The only criteria are that you complete the initial treatment as instructed and use your retainers consistently after treatment.

Overall, both are excellent choices as they engage qualified orthodontists and dentists to create customized plans and monitor your progress. They also include teeth whitening in the cost of their plans.

Who is Smile Direct Club Best For?

Smile Direct Club is best for mild adjustments and for those looking for more affordable monthly payment plans or nighttime aligners. They also offer in-person teeth scans by their trained staff.

This can also suit people who prefer to speak to a team member in person before beginning their treatment. That way they can ask all the questions they need to before deciding whether to start the plan.

Who is Byte Best For?

Byte is best for people who want the fastest treatment, whether for all-day or nighttime aligners. Their HyperByte device (which comes included in their plans) helps speed up the treatment time and also helps to reduce the discomfort that can be felt during aligner treatments. 

Those who are looking for a more comprehensive guarantee may also prefer Byte as they offer a lifetime guarantee (subject to wearing retainers afterward).

Both Byte and Smile Direct Club offer affordable and reliable home aligner treatments. Whichever company you choose, it’s time you treated yourself to the smile you deserve, all from the comfort of your own home.

Byte FAQs 

Can Byte Fix an Overbite?

Yes, Byte can fix mild cases of overbite in a matter of months. But this is also decided on a case-by-case basis by Byte dentists and orthodontists as some overbites can be quite significant and are not suitable for home aligner treatment. You can order their home impression kit to find out and if you’re not suitable for treatment they’ll refund you the cost of the kit.

Can I Drink Coffee with Byte?

No, Byte recommends that you do not drink coffee or any other liquid except water while wearing your aligners.

Can I Cancel Byte?

Yes, you can cancel a Byte subscription at any time by emailing them or going to subscription settings on your online account.

What Happens If You Don’t Fix an Overbite?

If you don’t fix an overbite, it might be OK left as is, but in some cases, it could lead to other problems, including gum disease, excessive wear, and tooth loss. (2)

Smile Direct Club FAQs 

Can Smile Direct Club ruin your teeth?

Smile Direct Club aligners use BPA-free plastic, and your progress is monitored by qualified dentists and orthodontists so they would not ruin your teeth. However, like all home alignment treatments, there is always a risk that existing or new conditions might arise that may lead to complications.

Do orthodontists recommend Smile Direct Club?

Several orthodontists advise people to think carefully about using home straightening services like Smile Direct Club. However, Smile Direct Club employs over 200 state-registered dentists and orthodontists to oversee all treatments and has performed over a million home aligner treatments. 

Can Smile Direct club fix really bad teeth?

Smile Direct Club can fix mild to moderate conditions, but it may be advisable to ask your dentist before starting treatment if you feel your case may be complicated.

Can I Cancel Smile Direct Club?

Yes, you can cancel your Smile Direct Club by phoning customer services.

What Happens if I Lose My Smile Direct Aligners?

If you lose your Smile Direct Club aligners, you will either be advised to move on to the next set in the plan or be sent a new set for free. Subsequently, lost sets will cost $99.

How soon do you see results with Smile Direct Club?

You normally will see results with Smile Direct Club after 4-6 months of using the all-day aligners and 8-10 months of using the nighttime aligners.

How long does Smile Direct Club take to straighten teeth?

On average Smile Direct takes 4-6 months to straighten teeth if you use the all-day aligners and 8-10 months if you use the nighttime aligners.

Can you wear Smile Direct Club aligners only at night?

Yes, you can choose their nighttime aligner plan where you wear Smile Direct Club’s aligners at night only. Treatment times will be longer as you’re wearing the aligners for fewer hours every day.

Does Smile Direct Club offer teeth whitening?

Yes, teeth whitening is included in the all-day and nighttime aligner plans. Different teeth whitening products can also be bought from the Smile Direct online shop.