Clear aligners are a simple and effective way to straighten teeth without braces. Two of the most well-known brands are Smilepath and Byte. Both offer at-home teeth straightening, but they have important differences. In this blog, we’ll compare Smilepath and Byte in terms of key features, pricing, and treatment processes to help you choose the right option.
Smilepath
Smilepath is known for being affordable and offering a fully remote process. Customers can choose all-day aligners or night-only aligners, so you can straighten your teeth during the day or only at night.
Key Points
- Affordable: Prices start at $1,320.
- Two Wear Options: All-day and night-only aligners.
- Remote Treatment: 100% at-home process.
- Fast Results: Teeth straightened in as little as 4-6 months.
- 24/7 Support: Get help anytime with 24/7 support.
If you want a simple, affordable way to straighten your teeth, Smilepath is a great choice. To learn more, visit Smilepath.
Byte
Byte was a popular aligner brand known for its fast treatment time. It used a device called HyperByte, which aimed to speed up teeth movement. Byte offered both all-day and night-only aligners.
Key Points
- Fast Treatment: 3-4 months with all-day aligners.
- HyperByte Device: Speeds up treatment with high-frequency vibrations.
- Remote Treatment: Fully at-home process.
- Two Wear Options: All-day and night-only aligners.
- Lifetime Guarantee: Free refinements if results don’t match the 3D plan.
Although Byte has stopped operating, it’s helpful to understand what the brand offered when it was available.
Treatment Process Comparison
Both Smilepath and Byte offer an easy process for clear aligner treatment, but their methods are slightly different. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how each brand works.
Smilepath Treatment Process
- Get Started From Home: Order an at-home impression kit for $29.99 or visit a partner clinic for a 3D scan.
- View Your 3D Treatment Plan: Smilepath will send you a 3D preview of your new smile.
- Start Treatment: Approve the plan and receive your custom aligners at your doorstep. Track your progress using the Aligner Tracker app.
Why Choose Smilepath?
- 100% at-home process — no need to visit a dentist.
- Night-only aligners let you straighten your teeth at night.
- Track your progress with the Smilepath Aligner Tracker app.
If you prefer a fully remote process, Smilepath is a simple, affordable option. Learn more at Smilepath.
Byte Treatment Process
- Start with an Impression Kit: Order an impression kit for AUD95 and take impressions at home.
- Receive a 3D Treatment Plan: Byte will send you a 3D plan of your future smile.
- Start Treatment: Once approved, Byte sends clear aligners along with the HyperByte device to speed up treatment.
Why Choose Byte?
- Faster treatment — only 3-4 months with all-day aligners.
- HyperByte device helps speed up tooth movement.
- Remote process — no dentist visits required.
Which Brand Has a Simpler Process?
If you want full control from home, Smilepath is the winner. The Aligner Tracker app helps you track your progress, while Byte requires customers to monitor progress manually.
Pricing Comparison
When choosing clear aligners, price is one of the most important factors. While Byte is no longer available, it’s still helpful to compare the costs of Smilepath vs. Byte.
| Brand | All-Day Aligners | Night-Only Aligners | Payment Plan | Impression Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smilepath | $1,320 (all-day) / $1,520 (night) | Available for night use | $73/mo (all-day) / $84/mo (night) | $29.99 (discounted from $75) |
| Byte | AUD2,749 (all-day) / AUD3,399 (night) | Yes, night-only available | AUD54/fortnight (all-day) / AUD66/fortnight (night) | AUD95 for the impression kit |
Smilepath’s Pricing
- One-time payment: $1,320 (all-day) / $1,520 (night-only).
- Payment plans: $73/month for 18 months (all day) / $84/month for 18 months (night-only).
- Impression kit: $29.99 (discounted from $75).
Byte’s Pricing
- One-time payment: AUD2,749 (all-day) / AUD3,399 (night-only).
- Payment plans: AUD54/fortnight (all-day) / AUD66/fortnight (night-only) for 52 months.
- Impression kit: AUD95.
Which Brand is Cheaper?
Smilepath wins on price. It’s one of the most affordable aligner brands in Australia, with prices starting at $1,320. Byte’s aligners started at AUD2,749, making it significantly more expensive. Smilepath also has cheaper impression kits and more flexible payment plans.
Treatment Time and Wear Options
When it comes to how long it takes to straighten teeth, Smilepath and Byte have different treatment times. Both brands offer fast results, but their wear schedules are not the same.
Smilepath Treatment Time
- All-Day Aligners: 4-6 months (22 hours/day).
- Night-Only Aligners: 6-8 months (10 hours/night).
Smilepath gives customers the option to wear aligners at night only, which is perfect for people who want to keep their aligners off during the day. Their treatment time is also shorter than most aligner brands, especially with the 4-6 month timeline for all-day aligners.
Byte Treatment Time
- All-Day Aligners: 3-4 months (22 hours/day).
- Night-Only Aligners: 5-6 months (10 hours/night).
Byte offered one of the fastest treatment times in the industry. The 3-4 month treatment for all-day aligners was possible thanks to the HyperByte device, which used high-frequency vibrations to speed up tooth movement.
Which Brand Offers Faster Treatment?
If you want the fastest treatment, Byte was the winner with 3-4 months for all-day aligners. However, since Byte has stopped operations, Smilepath is the best available option with fast treatment times of 4-6 months. Smilepath also offers night-only aligners, which Byte did as well.
Support and Customer Care
Customer support is important, especially if you’re doing at-home treatment. If you have questions or issues during treatment, support should be quick and easy to access. Here’s how Smilepath and Byte compare in terms of customer care.
Smilepath Support
- 24/7 Support: Get help anytime from Smilepath’s support team.
- Aligner Tracker App: Track treatment progress from your phone.
- Dentist-Reviewed Plans: Licensed dentists review every treatment plan.
Smilepath’s support is one of the best in the industry. The 24/7 customer support allows customers to get help whenever they need it. The Aligner Tracker app makes it easy to track your progress and know when it’s time to switch aligners.
Byte Support
- Remote Check-ins: Customers tracked progress remotely.
- HyperByte Assistance: Support for using the HyperByte device.
- Dentist-Reviewed Plans: Australian dentists reviewed treatment plans.
Byte allowed customers to track their progress remotely, but they didn’t have 24/7 support like Smilepath. Customers used the MyByte app, but it did not have the same tracking features as Smilepath’s Aligner Tracker app.
Which Brand Offers Better Support?
If you want full-time support, Smilepath wins. Their 24/7 support is unmatched, and the Aligner Tracker app makes it easy to stay on schedule. Byte’s support was helpful, but it didn’t have 24/7 availability.
Guarantees and Refunds
When paying for clear aligners, it’s good to know if the brand offers any guarantees. Both Smilepath and Byte had refund policies and guarantees to protect customers, but Byte’s guarantee was more extensive.
Smilepath Guarantee
- Refund for Impression Kit: Get a refund if you’re not eligible for aligners.
- No Smile Guarantee: Smilepath doesn’t guarantee results after treatment.
Smilepath offers refunds for the impression kit if you’re not eligible for aligners. However, if your teeth shift after treatment, Smilepath does not provide free touch-up aligners like other brands.
Byte Guarantee
- Refund for Impression Kit: Get a refund if you’re not eligible for aligners.
- Lifetime Guarantee: Free refinements if your results don’t match the plan.
- Plan Accuracy Guarantee: If the final results don’t match the original 3D treatment plan, Byte will send free aligners to correct it.
Byte’s Lifetime Guarantee was one of the best in the industry. Customers could get free refinements if their teeth moved after treatment. Byte also promised free aligners if the final results didn’t match the 3D treatment plan.
Which Brand Offers Better Guarantees?
Byte was the clear winner in this category. Their lifetime guarantee ensured customers would be satisfied with the results. However, since Byte is no longer operating, Smilepath is the best option currently available.
Which Brand is Best for You?
Choosing between Smilepath and Byte depends on your needs. If you want affordable treatment with flexible wear options, Smilepath is the better choice. If you preferred faster treatment with advanced technology, Byte had an edge, but it is no longer available.
Choose Smilepath If You Want
- Cheaper Prices: Smilepath is one of the most affordable aligner brands in Australia.
- Night-Only Aligners: Wear aligners only at night for 10 hours.
- Fully Remote Treatment: Do everything from home — no need for dentist visits.
- 24/7 Support: Get customer support any time, day or night.
Smilepath is best for people who want an affordable, simple, and flexible experience. The night-only aligners are a great option if you don’t want to wear aligners during the day.
Choose Byte If You Want
- Fast Treatment: Straighten teeth in just 3-4 months.
- HyperByte Device: Use high-frequency vibrations to speed up treatment.
- Lifetime Guarantee: Get free refinements if your teeth shift after treatment.
Byte offered fast treatment, the HyperByte device, and a lifetime guarantee. However, since Byte is no longer in operation, Smilepath is the best alternative.
Final Thoughts
Both Smilepath and Byte were great options for clear aligner treatment in Australia. If you want affordability, flexible wear options, and 24/7 support, Smilepath is the clear winner. Smilepath’s all-day and night-only aligners let you straighten your teeth your way.
While Byte had faster treatment times with the HyperByte device, it is no longer in operation. If you want fast, affordable, and flexible treatment, Smilepath is your best choice.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to straighten teeth with Smilepath?
Smilepath’s all-day aligners take 4-6 months, while night-only aligners take 6-8 months.
2. Which brand is cheaper, Smilepath or Byte?
Smilepath is cheaper, with aligners starting at $1,320. Byte’s prices started at AUD2,749.
3. Does Smilepath offer night-only aligners?
Yes, Smilepath offers night-only aligners, which are worn for 10 hours at night.
4. Do Smilepath and Byte offer refunds?
Yes, both brands offer refunds on impression kits if you’re not eligible for treatment. Byte also offered a lifetime guarantee, but it is no longer operating.