Smileie currently has the stronger value proposition on paper for dual-arch daytime treatment: $699 with two retainer sets included versus ALIGNERCO at $725 before separately verifying retainer cost. ALIGNERCO is an older remote-aligner brand, but its current policy lists a $250 approved refinement fee. Smileie's main weakness is mixed public evidence around tracking/refinement problems; its strongest differentiator is the optional $1,499 Pro pathway with in-person exam, scans/X-rays and unlimited refinements.
ALIGNERCO vs Smileie: quick comparison
| Factor | ALIGNERCO | Smileie |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised price | $725 all-day / $925 night | From $549 |
| Impression kit | $29.99 | $49.99 |
| Retainers | Verify at checkout | From $210 for 2 sets (new-customer pricing page) |
| Clinical oversight claim | ALIGNERCO says every plan is reviewed by a U.S.-licensed dentist or orthodontist. | Smileie says each plan is reviewed by a licensed U.S. orthodontist and progress photos are uploaded during remote treatment; it also advertises scan locations and a Pro/in-person option. |
| Wear schedule | All-Day: 22 hours/day. NightOnly: 10 hours/day. | Day: 20–22 hours/day. Night: 8–10 hours/night. |
| Treatment timing | Company advertises 4–6 months all-day and 6–8 months NightOnly. | Varies by case and plan; verify the individual treatment plan. |
| Refinement policy | ALIGNERCO currently states that an approved post-treatment refinement costs $250 and must generally be requested within 2–3 weeks after treatment completion. | Smileie says clinically appropriate refinements may be provided when teeth do not track as planned and treatment instructions were followed. |
| Refund policy | Orders can generally be cancelled within 5 days subject to the current terms. If ALIGNERCO determines you are not a candidate, it says it will refund the treatment purchase subject to applicable kit/transaction terms. Manufactured aligners are not returnable. | Refund before treatment-plan approval is generally available less the impression-kit cost; no refunds after treatment-plan approval/production. Full refund if the orthodontic team determines the customer is not a suitable candidate. |
| Dental Verdicts score | 71/100 | 80/100 |
Which is cheaper?
For a fair two-arch comparison, Smileie's current Day-Time dual-arch plan is $699, only $26 below ALIGNERCO's $725 All-Day price—but Smileie's current pricing page says two retainer sets and whitening are included. The $549 Smileie headline is single arch and should not be compared directly with a two-arch package.
Which has the stronger published consumer policy?
Smileie's standard remote refund rights become restrictive after the 3D plan is approved, while ALIGNERCO also limits returns once processing/manufacturing advances. ALIGNERCO explicitly lists a $250 refinement fee. Smileie markets free refinement under its satisfaction language when clinically appropriate, and its Pro tier includes unlimited refinements.
Which has the stronger care/oversight proposition?
Both say U.S.-licensed dental professionals review treatment. Smileie currently offers a materially stronger optional care model through Smileie Pro: in-person exam, professional scans and X-rays plus remote monitoring. For pure mail-in treatment, the distinction is narrower and should be verified case by case.
Smileie's published pricing has become more granular than many competitor comparison articles: single vs dual arch, daytime vs nighttime, mail-in vs scan-based, plus Pro. Any article that says simply 'Smileie costs $549' is incomplete.
How the Dental Verdicts score works
ALIGNERCO currently scores 71/100; Smileie scores 80/100. The score weighs clinical safeguards, total ownership cost, policy quality, support evidence, public user sentiment, convenience and company transparency.
Official sources
Compare the current price, refund/remake terms, what is included, and the total cost after retainers or replacements. Details can change, so confirm the offer on the provider's site before checkout.
How Dental Verdicts compares products →