---
title: "The 4 Cheapest Clear Aligners (2026)"
url: "https://www.newmouth.com/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/cheapest/"
description: "The four cheapest clear aligners of 2026 ranked by total cost, not headline price. ALIGNERCO is cheapest, SmileSet is the best value, and here is the math."
---

Everything We Recommend

-   SmileSet (Best Value)
-   ALIGNERCO (Cheapest Overall)
-   Smileie (Cheapest Single-Arch Plan)
-   NewSmile (Lowest Monthly Payment)

[Clear aligner treatment](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/cost/) in the United States averages $5,108, with a reported range of roughly $1,800 to $8,1001. At-home brands sell dentist-reviewed treatment for mild cases at a fraction of that. The cheapest one we verified is ALIGNERCO, at roughly $880 all-in. The best value is SmileSet at $1,494 all-in, and this page shows the math behind both calls.

We rank on total ownership cost: treatment price plus impression kit plus your first set of retainers. A low headline price with a $150 kit and a $150 retainer added later is not the cheapest option. Competitor prices were checked on September 3, 2026, and sales change fast, so confirm at checkout.

## How We Define the Cheapest Clear Aligners

The cheapest aligner is the one that costs the least once your teeth are straight and held in place. That is a different number from the homepage banner price. We add three line items together to come up with the total ownership cost:

-   **Treatment price:** the checkout price for the arches you need, dual arch unless a single-arch plan fits your case
-   **Impression kit:** included with some brands, a separate charge with others
-   **First retainer set:** you need retainers after treatment, so we count one set at the brand’s current price.

Financing charges, refinements, and replacement retainers stay out of the headline total, because those vary by person. This is NewMouth’s own comparison method, not a clinical standard. It follows the American Association of Orthodontists’ advice to ask what an “all-inclusive” price covers2.

Beyond cost, NewMouth’s dental experts scored each brand on five things. User experience (30%), treatment process (30%), pricing and financing (20%), customer service (15%), and brand reputation (5%).

## The 4 Cheapest Clear Aligners of 2026

Total ownership cost runs from roughly $880 at ALIGNERCO to $1,494 at SmileSet. All four brands treat mild to moderate crowding and spacing from home, with a licensed dentist reviewing your case and plan. Competitor prices are as of September 3, 2026.

| Clear Aligner Brand | Our Pick | Treatment Price | Impression Kit | First Retainer Set | Total Ownership Cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SmileSet | Best Value | $1,295 (list $1,795, depending on when you buy) | Included | $199 dual arch | $1,494 |
| ALIGNERCO | Cheapest Overall | $725 (list $1,095) | $29.99 | $125 per set | Roughly $880 |
| Smileie | Cheapest Single-Arch Plan | $649 single arch or $849 dual arch (night-time, on sale) | $49.99 | Not verified | Roughly $899 dual arch before retainers |
| NewSmile | Lowest Monthly Payment | $1,095 (list $1,795) | $29 | Not verified | Roughly $1,124 before retainers |

Smileie and NewSmile both say retainers come with treatment, but their price pages do not confirm it. Their totals stop before retainers for that reason. If a set is included, those totals stand; if not, add the retainer price before comparing.

### 1\. SmileSet

##### Best Value

SmileSet costs $1,295 (list $1,795, depending on when you buy), with the impression kit included. Add its $199 dual-arch retainer set and you are at $1,494 all-in. That is roughly $600 more than ALIGNERCO’s $880 total.

SmileSet does not win on price here. We rate it the best value on this list anyway, because of what the extra money buys.

#### SmileSet Highlights

| Available Treatments | All-Day and Nighttime Clear Aligners |
| --- | --- |
| Financing | Shop Pay installments, Affirm, Afterpay, CareCredit, and HSA/FSA at checkout; no APR published before you apply |
| What’s Included | Impression kit, dentist-reviewed treatment plan, two virtual consultations, aligners, case, removal tool, cleaning tablets, and a whitening pen |

#### Why We Like It

-   **A licensed dentist reviews your case and treatment plan,** and two virtual consultations are included, so you are not guessing alone3
-   **Fit guarantee:** if the aligners do not fit, SmileSet sends a new impression kit and adjusts the plan at no charge4
-   **30-day refund window** from the day you receive the aligners, for a full refund5
-   **Complimentary touch-ups during treatment** and one free touch-up within 30 days of finishing, then discounted touch-ups after6
-   **Retainers from your existing file:** once SmileSet has your mold, future retainers and night guards need no new impression3. Former SmileDirectClub customers get retainers from their old file
-   **Kit-first option** for $29.99 lets you see your treatment plan before paying the full price

#### What We Don’t Like

-   Costs roughly $600 more than ALIGNERCO once you add a $199 retainer set
-   Adults only, mild to moderate cases, and the reviewing dentist is often licensed in another state3
-   The 30-day refund covers the aligners, but return shipping is on you

SmileSet also sells nighttime aligners for the same $1,295. We usually suggest daytime wear, because no published study has tested SmileSet’s 10-hour protocol. For mild cases where night-only is the only option, SmileSet is our pick. Our [SmileSet review](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/smileset/) covers the nighttime tradeoff in detail.

### 2\. ALIGNERCO

##### Cheapest Overall

ALIGNERCO’s all-day aligners cost $725 on sale (list $1,095). The kit-first plan adds $29.99. A retainer set adds $125. The total is roughly $880, the lowest we verified, which is why ALIGNERCO keeps the cheapest label.

#### ALIGNERCO Highlights

| Available Treatments | All-Day and NightOnly Clear Aligners |
| --- | --- |
| Night-Only Price | $925 (list $1,295) |
| What’s Included | Impression kit, aligner trays, a teeth whitening set, and the AlignerTrack app for remote monitoring |

#### Why We Like It

-   **Lowest total ownership cost** of any brand we verified
-   **Flexible monthly payments** with a low down payment
-   **In-person consultations** through partner dental offices
-   **AlignerTrack app** guides you through treatment, with specialists available online

#### What We Don’t Like

-   Some customers report trays that fit poorly or feel uncomfortable
-   Retainers cost extra, and some customers say they break easily
-   Refinement aligners sometimes arrive late and extend treatment
-   Customer service complaints include long waits, slow refunds, and unexpected fees

ALIGNERCO’s NightOnly plan costs $925, more than the all-day plan. Night-only wear is for mild cases and takes longer, so we usually suggest daytime wear. Our ALIGNERCO [customer complaint breakdown](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/alignerco/) has the full picture.

### 3\. Smileie

##### Cheapest Single-Arch Plan

Smileie’s single-arch night-time plan costs $649 on sale, the lowest treatment price here. Dual arch is $849. The impression kit is a separate $49.99.

Smileie Pro is a different product with an in-person exam, scans, and X-rays. It runs $999–$1,499 to $1,499 depending on the clinic.

#### Smileie Highlights

| Available Treatments | Day and night aligners, single and dual-arch treatments |
| --- | --- |
| Tiers | Night-time single arch $649 or dual arch $849 on sale; daytime plans priced at checkout; Smileie Pro with in-person exam |
| What’s Included | 3D treatment plan, aligners, teeth whitening kit, retainers (per Smileie), free U.S. shipping; impression kit sold separately |

#### Why We Like It

-   **Choose daytime or nighttime aligners** and single or dual arch
-   **Retainers included with treatment,** according to Smileie, which few brands match
-   **Fully remote treatment** with virtual monitoring
-   **Video consultation** available while you take impressions

#### What We Don’t Like

-   Newer brand with a shorter track record than the others here
-   Not suitable for complex misalignment
-   Adults 18 and over only
-   Free refinements are limited to Smileie Pro

A single-arch plan only makes sense if a dentist agrees one arch is all you need. Straightening one arch when both need work leaves your bite off. Check how Smileie’s [tiers compare](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/smileie/) before choosing one.

### 4\. NewSmile

##### Lowest Monthly Payment

NewSmile’s Fast Track aligners cost $1,095 (list $1,795). The impression kit is $29 extra. Monthly plans start with little or no down payment, which is the draw, so read the financing section below before you sign. It is also the most discreet aligner on this list.

#### NewSmile Highlights

| Available Treatments | Fast Track or Night Aligners ($1,195) |
| --- | --- |
| Monthly Plans | Long-term plans with low or no down payment; check the APR and total before you sign |
| What’s Included | Aligner trays, a set of retainers (per NewSmile), teeth whitening foam, and the NewSmile app for remote monitoring; impression kit sold separately |

#### Why We Like It

-   **Thin, discreet aligners** that do not draw attention
-   **Friendly representatives** who answer questions and guide you
-   **Fast onboarding** and remote monitoring through the NewSmile app

#### What We Don’t Like

-   Customers report delayed orders that take months to arrive
-   Support is less transparent when something goes wrong, and refunds are hard to get
-   Users are worried about the privacy of the photos they send through the app

Delivery delays are the most common complaint in our NewSmile [customer feedback roundup](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/newsmile/).

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

## What to Consider When Getting Clear Aligners

The cheapest aligner is the wrong buy if your case is out of scope or the financing doubles the cost. Check these five things before you order:

### 1\. Level of Teeth Misalignment

[At-home aligners](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/at-home-aligners-safety/) are made for mild to moderate crowding and spacing. A 2025 systematic review found that mild-to-moderate malocclusion is the clearest indication for aligners, while severe skeletal problems and impacted teeth are contraindications7. Cases that need extractions are harder for aligners to control, with weaker root and bite outcomes than braces in a 2026 meta-analysis8.

The American Dental Association opposes direct-to-consumer dentistry. Its reasoning is that moving teeth without a full picture of your oral health risks irreversible damage9. We think a recent exam and cleaning is the minimum before any aligner order.

If a dentist says your bite needs correcting, [Invisalign](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/invisalign-review/) or a dentist-led hybrid like [Candid](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/candid/) is the right lane. Both cost more, and both come with a clinician who sees you in person.

### 2\. Treatment Costs and Your Budget

The treatment price is only the first line item. Add the impression kit if it is not included, plus retainers after treatment and replacements every six to twelve months. [Ordering retainers online](/orthodontics/treatment/retainers/online/) runs $139 to $199 a set at the brands we track. SmileSet’s cost $149 single arch or $199 dual arch, with no new impression once it has your mold.

Refinements matter too. If your teeth do not track to plan, you need more aligners. SmileSet includes touch-ups during treatment, Smileie limits free refinements to its Pro tier, and other brands charge. One paid refinement erases a $200 price difference.

### 3\. Availability of Flexible Payments

A low monthly payment does not mean a low total cost. The APR includes interest plus certain fees, and a small monthly figure often means a longer term10. Compare the APR, fees, down payment, term, and total paid, not the monthly number.

None of the four brands publishes an APR before you apply. Shop Pay, Affirm, Afterpay, and CareCredit each set their own rates. Ask for the total repayment figure before you sign. Only a 0% APR plan costs the same as paying upfront.

### 4\. HSA/FSA and Insurance

Qualifying orthodontic expenses are generally eligible for health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds11,12. IRS rules and your plan’s terms decide the details. SmileSet, for one, accepts HSA and FSA cards at checkout, but check your plan before you count on it.

[Dental insurance](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/insurance/) is a different story. Plans with orthodontic coverage commonly cover both braces and aligners, but every plan differs2. Most at-home brands do not bill insurance directly, so expect to submit for reimbursement yourself.

### 5\. Treatment Time

Treatment time depends on how complex your case is, which tooth movements you need, and how closely you follow the wear schedule. A 2024 systematic review found low-certainty evidence that aligners and braces take a similar amount of time in mild-to-moderate crowding13. Brand estimates of four to eight months apply to simple cases only.

[Nighttime plans](/orthodontics/treatment/clear-aligners/nighttime/) take longer than all-day plans because the trays are in for fewer hours. If a brand’s night-only price is lower, weigh the extra months before you call it a saving.

## Which Clear Aligner Is Right for You?

ALIGNERCO is roughly $600 cheaper all-in, and SmileSet includes more for the money. Pick by which of those matters more to you:

-   **Choose** **ALIGNERCO** **if you want the lowest total cost.** Roughly $880 with the kit and a retainer set counted, on sale pricing.
-   **Choose** **SmileSet** **if you want the best value.** $1,494 all-in buys a dentist-reviewed plan, two virtual consults, a fit guarantee, and a 30-day refund. Future retainers come from your file with no new impression.
-   **Choose** **Smileie** **if a dentist confirms you only need one arch treated.** The $649 single-arch plan is the lowest treatment price here.
-   **Choose** **NewSmile** **if you need the lowest monthly payment,** and check the APR and total before you sign.

At-home aligners are convenient but not right for every case. Talk to a dentist or orthodontist before you order, and get an in-person exam if anything about your bite worries you.

## Why Trust NewMouth

We rank affordable aligners on verified total ownership cost, not the price a brand advertises. Every competitor price on this page was checked against the brand’s own price data on September 3, 2026. Our in-house dentists reviewed the candidacy and treatment-time sections.

### How We Chose the Most Affordable Teeth Aligners

We compared each brand on the following criteria:

-   **Doctor-directed care:** whether a licensed dentist reviews the case and plan
-   **Onboarding:** how the company qualifies patients
-   **Treatment process:** ease, safety, and effectiveness
-   **Total ownership cost:** treatment price plus kit plus first retainer set
-   **Value for money:** what you get for the amount you pay
-   **Customer support and satisfaction:** how the company treats customers, and what customers say back
-   **Guarantees and refunds:** fit guarantees, refund windows, and refinement terms