Candid and Byte have a lot in common. Both companies offer convenient clear aligner treatment, and both are more affordable than traditional options like Invisalign and braces. But when you dig a bit deeper, there are some major differences between these companies that aren’t so apparent on the surface.
We’re here to help you decipher these differences and determine the features that are most important to you. In this comparison review, we’ll take you on an in-depth tour of Candid’s hybrid in-person/at-home care and Byte’s completely remote service, providing all the information you need to choose the best clear aligner treatment for you.
Table of Contents
Overview & Recommendation: Byte Wins
Two Great Companies, but Byte Gets Our Vote.
If you ask us, both Candid and Byte provide exceptional treatment quality. Candid incorporates hands-on care from a dentist to provide a great option, but in our opinion, Byte wins the race. Why? Two reasons:
- More Affordable: Like other at-home aligner treatments, Byte has drastically reduced the cost of clear aligners by eliminating office visits. As a result, their entire treatment costs $1,999 (or $2,399 for Byte At-Night). Candid, on the other hand, costs $3,500 or more — depending on your dentist’s rates — since you’re paying for in-person care plus robust remote monitoring throughout the process.
- The HyperByte Device: Byte says their high-frequency vibration device, the HyperByte, may help provide a more comfortable aligner fit and even encourage faster dental shifts for some customers. Byte includes the HyperByte in the cost of every treatment plan.
Is Byte Right for You?
Your ideal clear aligner treatment depends largely on your unique condition, goals, and budget. But we think Byte is a great option for most people with mild-to-moderate misalignments. They scored 4.3/5 overall based on our five review criteria (scope of treatment, affordability, convenience, appearance, and customer support) — a higher rating than any other provider.
Special Offer: Save 80% off your impression kit + $100 of your treatment + free BrightByte Pro whitening
Company Backgrounds
Even though they just hit the market in 2017, Candid has experienced a rapid ascent in the home aligner industry. Their old at-home treatment transformed thousands of smiles, and they’ve continued to show their dedication to quality in developing their hybrid CandidPro model. By backing every clear aligner plan with hands-on care from a local dentist, we think Candid has developed a treatment with robust and consistent oversight.
Much like Candid, Byte burst onto the scene and immediately started turning heads. Co-founded by a dentist who has crafted some of Hollywood’s most famous smiles, they’ve sought ways to bring that A-list service to everyone. Byte quickly made a name for themselves by implementing bold new technology like the HyperByte and Smile Science, and today, they’ve joined Candid among the industry’s largest and most established companies.
Each company has charted their own course, offering customers different enticing advantages. Yet they’ve both prioritized customer support, helping approved patients get the specific results they’re after.
Our Review Methodology
Smile Prep’s reviews are prepared and presented from the perspective of a well-informed consumer. Our starting point for all of our reviews is a careful survey of a company’s marketing claims and available third party customer reviews. We rely on the accuracy of company claims and do not independently verify them. Our reviews use this information to help our readers get information about the available options in a centralized location. You can learn more about our review process by checking out our publishing principles.
Scope of Treatment Comparison
We think Candid and Byte are great aligner systems, and they’ve helped many people achieve their dream smiles. However, for them to work for you, your case needs to fall within their scope of treatment. While there is significant overlap between the two companies, in the end, Candid offers a wider treatment scope than Byte thanks to its hybrid approach.
Candid Treatment Scope
Byte Treatment Scope
- Treats cosmetic issues and mild-to-moderate bite concerns.
- Can alter the position of all teeth, including molars.
- Requires virtual check-ins using the ScanBox every 14 days.
- Treats mild-to-moderate cosmetic concerns.
- Not designed to move the molars.
- Monthly photo check-ins are suggested but not required.
What Candid and Byte Can Treat
Candid does not directly state what their aligners can treat. However, their partner dentists do. Based on a look at multiple dental practice websites, Candid aligners can typically address the following concerns:
- Mild-to-moderate crowding
- Snaggletooth
- Mild-to-moderate spacing
- Mild-to-moderate overbite or overjet
- Underbite
- Crossbite
According to Byte’s website, their aligners can treat:
- Mild-to-moderate crowding
- Mild-to-moderate spacing
- Some cases of overbite
- Some midline misalignment cases
Most at-home aligner companies say they can’t move the molars or they focus on the front 6–8 teeth. Byte is no exception, though there are limited cases where they can move other teeth. In most situations, they cannot move the molars, and their aligners might not even fully cover them.
As a hybrid option, Candid has the ability to move all the teeth, molars included. It can even expand the arch when necessary. This is due to Candid’s ability to incorporate things like engagers, bite ramps, and pontics, plus their planning software accounts for IPR (interproximal reduction) — the removal of a small amount of enamel to make room between the teeth. None of this is an option with Byte.
What Candid and Byte Customers Say
Candid customers have shared their experiences with us, but most of these are from before they pivoted to hybrid care. Most reviews we’ve received are related to crowding, but reviews for overbite treatment come in second, which suggests Candid can take on slightly more complex cases. As more people use the hybrid system, we anticipate getting additional reviews that accurately reflect how robust the system can be.
Of the customers who have sent us their Byte experiences, most had crowding, spacing, and dental overbites. Some reported more complex issues, like crossbites and underbites, but these aren’t as common — likely because they often involve jaw misalignments, which Byte can’t address. Notably, people who used Byte for simpler cases tended to give four- and five-star reviews at a higher rate than people who used the system for more complex issues.
Clinical Oversight
Traditional orthodontic treatment requires frequent office visits — sometimes as often as every four weeks. Remote and hybrid aligners can’t match the robust oversight of in-office aligners but usually offer or require virtual check-ins that monitor your progress and aim to catch any problems early.
Every 14 days, you use Candid’s app and ScanBox to upload detailed photos of your smile, and Candid’s AI will analyze them. If it thinks something isn’t quite right, your dentist will get an alert so they can offer you feedback, request additional monitoring, or even set up an in-person check-up.
Byte isn’t quite as thorough. They suggest you upload monthly photos to the My Byte app, but only require it for cases they think absolutely need the oversight. Still, you can choose to upload photos regularly if it will give you more confidence in the process.
Quality of Materials
Candid makes their aligners from Zendura tri-layer FLX plastic, which Zendura claims retains 50+% more orthodontic force over time than some other materials, a claim that this study supports.
In late 2020, Byte was acquired by Dentsply Sirona. Byte doesn’t disclose the specific plastic they use, but the materials and resources of an established, respected company are behind them, giving us confidence in their materials.
Affordability Comparison
One of the first things many adults check when considering clear aligners is their budget. Candid’s hybrid treatment is more affordable than more comprehensive in-office options like Invisalign, but it’s quite a bit more expensive than Byte. The sticker price isn’t the only thing to consider, though. You should also look at what that price includes and how the company makes it more accessible.
Candid Affordability
Byte Affordability
- $3,500+ price, depending on your dentist’s location.
- Price includes office visits, plus the CandidMonitoring service and equipment.
- Charges $99 for retainers after treatment.
- You can enroll in a financing plan through your dentist’s office or third-party companies.
- $1,999 sticker price.
- Includes aftercare retainers in the initial cost.
- The impression kit is $95.
- Financing requires a down payment and soft credit check.
Sticker Price
This is the number that most potential customers evaluate when making a decision. Byte charges $1,999 (or $2,399 if you choose the Byte At Night plan), which is much cheaper than in-office options, but pretty average for completely at-home clear aligners. That price includes a set of aftercare retainers, but not the impression kit, so you’ll have to purchase it separately for $95.
Since Candid treatment involves in-person care and the ongoing expertise of a local dentist, their price is often $3,500 or more. The exact price, however, depends on your dentist’s location and rates. There’s no impression kit necessary because your dentist will take teeth scans to start your treatment, but you’ll still need to pay $99 for aftercare retainers.
Payment Plan Options
As you think about cost, you should also consider how you will finance your treatment. You should be able to enroll in a financing plan for either option, but they have very different procedures.
Byte offers a $70/month, 36-month financing plan (BytePay), which requires a $249 down payment and a soft credit check. If you choose Byte At-Night treatment instead, you’ll make a $299 down payment followed by $84/month.
You won’t be paying Candid directly for your treatment — you’ll be paying your dentist. The good news is that many dental offices offer payment plans, or can at least recommend a good third-party financing option. If you’re interested in financing your Candid aligners, discuss your options with your dentist.
Financing plans typically include interest, so you’ll pay a little more overall than if you simply paid the full amount up front.
Extras
These are the bonus items you’ll receive along with your aligners, retainers, and whitening, little perks that can make your treatment process smoother. Both companies include free whitening to accompany your aligners, so you can brighten your smile while you straighten your teeth.
Byte will include their HyperByte device, which you’ll use daily. As we mentioned, they also include one set of aftercare retainers, which typically go for $129.
If you want to save money on retainers, the Byte Protection Plan provides five years’ worth for $749. Instead of placing individual orders twice per year, Byte will ship your replacements automatically. You’ll get ten sets in total, so you’ll pay around $75 per set instead of $129.
Candid doesn’t have anything like HyperByte, but their price covers your office visits plus their CandidMonitoring service and equipment. They don’t have a protection plan either, although your dentist might have a similar retainer plan or subscription.
In the end, we think both companies offer strong value, especially when compared to Invisalign or braces, which will typically set you back $5,000 or more.
Convenience Comparison
Being able to complete part or all of your treatment from home is convenient no matter which company you choose, but we think Candid and Byte go the extra mile to ensure an even more convenient customer experience. Candid may be more streamlined than Invisalign and other treatments that incorporate in-person care, but in our opinion, Byte’s fully remote model is slightly more convenient.
Candid Convenience
Byte Convenience
- Has a network of 800+ dentist partners who will help you kick off your treatment during an office visit.
- Candid says their average treatment plan is 8.5 months.
- Does not offer a nighttime-only option, only the full-time, 22+ hour/day schedule.
- Allows you to use aligners and whitening products simultaneously.
- No physical locations that offer teeth scans, so you’ll need to use an impression kit.
- Byte claims their average treatment plan length is 4–5 months.
- Offers a nighttime-only option that requires aligner use for only ten hours per day.
- Allows you to use aligners and whitening products simultaneously.
Getting Started
To get started with any clear aligner treatment, you need to submit images of your teeth. The difference here is how you take those images.
Byte requires every customer to create molds of their teeth using an impression kit. You can complete this kit entirely from home, but it can be difficult if you’ve never made impressions of your teeth before. If you nail them on the first try, it’s a pretty convenient process. If you don’t, you might need to order additional kits — something that has frustrated some customers.
The first step for Candid is scheduling an office visit with one of their network providers. They have 800+ partnering dentists nationwide who will provide an initial consultation, scan your teeth, take X-rays, and kick off your Candid treatment. While it might mean taking a couple of hours off work, this in-person appointment ensures that Candid gets professionally captured dental images and lets you meet face-to-face with the dentist who will be involved throughout the process.
After that, you’ll upload photos of your teeth to the CandidApp every 14 days. While these check-ins add another item to your to-do list, they also allow your dentist and Candid’s team to head off complications before they become serious, which could be more convenient in the long run.
The only potential issue with Candid’s model is that it’s only available to people who live near one of their 800+ dentist partners. They’re working to expand that network, but for now, if you can’t find one of their dentists nearby, you’ll need to look into other options.
Treatment Time
One of the biggest advantages at-home aligner services have over fully in-person options is efficiency. Even a hybrid model like Candid is often faster than Invisalign’s average 12–24-month treatment time. They say their treatment lasts 8.5 months on average, while Byte claims an average treatment plan length of just 4–5 months.
Nighttime-Only Option?
Think about your life with aligners, wearing them 22+ hours per day, only removing them to eat and drink, switching to a new set every week. Sound reasonable? Great! But if you don’t think you could work this commitment into your schedule, a nighttime-only option could be the right move for you.
On the Byte At-Night plan, you’ll wear each set of aligners for ten hours per day instead of the usual 22, and switch to the next set after two weeks instead of one. The company says this extends their average treatment plan to around 5–6 months, but it’s nice to have a flexible option if you don’t think an all-day schedule will work for you.
Like comprehensive in-office aligners, Candid is intended solely for all-day treatment. There may be a small amount of leeway here, but your dentist will most likely require you to wear your Candid aligners for at least 22 hours/day, removing them only to eat, drink, and brush.
Appearance Comparison
Clear aligners are, by nature, less visible than traditional braces. Any company you choose will provide a great-looking option without a metal bracket in sight. That said, each home aligner brand has their own ideas of what looks best, and each customer has their own aesthetic preferences.
Based on our research and the customer reviews we examined, Candid and Byte are both highly discreet options.
Candid Appearance
Byte Appearance
- Uses a frosted, textured plastic.
- Cuts their aligners straight across the top.
- May incorporate attachments.
- Reasonably stain-resistant.
- Uses a smooth, translucent, shiny plastic.
- Cuts their aligners straight across the top.
- Doesn’t incorporate attachments.
- Reasonably stain-resistant.
Aligner Material
There are two schools of thought concerning aligner material. The first is that translucent, smooth aligners are less visible and the second is that frosted-appearing aligners look more natural.
We tend to agree with the second. Your teeth are porous, which gives them a matte surface, so we think textured aligners like Candid’s more closely match your natural tooth appearance. Smooth, clear aligners can be reflective and look artificially shiny.
But again, appearance is a pretty subjective category, and some customers actually prefer smooth, shiny aligners like Byte’s for how they can make a smile “gleam.” Consider your priorities and aesthetic preferences as you make your decision.
And, of course, if you’d rather not wear your aligners at all to work, school, or other daytime activities, you might be drawn to Byte’s nighttime-only treatment.
Aligner Cut
Aligners cut straight across the top can have better force transfer than ones trimmed to match your gum line (or “scalloped”), according to a 2022 study. However, we think straight-cut aligners are also slightly more visible, since they overlap your gums. Candid and Byte both use a straight cut for their aligners, so they might be a little more noticeable than their scalloped competitors.
Stain Resistance
All clear aligners are susceptible to some stains, so we would not recommend drinking colored beverages while wearing them.
Patient Experience Comparison
You never want to imagine something going wrong with your treatment, but if it does, you’ll likely appreciate having a responsive, caring support team at your back. We think both Candid and Byte are dedicated to cultivating a quality patient experience from start to finish.
Neither one can quite replicate Invisalign and ClearCorrect’s comprehensive in-person support, but we think Candid’s in-person care, combined with their robust remote monitoring, is the next best thing.
Candid Patient Experience
Byte Patient Experience
- Offers numerous support platforms, including video chat and their mobile app, in addition to your dentist’s office.
- Has received excellent customer reviews.
- Provides check-ins every 14 days via their CandidMonitoring service.
- Your dentist can potentially provide assistance if you’re not satisfied with your results.
- Offers standard communication avenues and will respond on social media as well.
- Provides each customer with a personal Byte advisor to answer questions.
- Receives consistently positive customer reviews.
- The Byte for Life Guarantee ensures your smile forever.
Support Options
Candid’s patient support is two-fold. Your dentist will provide the treatment, and you’ll also have access to the Candid remote care team, who can answer your questions and bring your dentist into the loop if necessary.
CandidMonitoring gives your dentist and Candid’s team the chance to review photos of your teeth every 14 days and address any issues as they arise. If anything comes up between check-ins, we think the most convenient way to contact their team is via live chat on the CandidApp. However, service representatives are also available by phone, chat, and email every day (including weekends) from 9am–7pm.
Byte’s representatives are available from 8am to 6pm (Pacific time), seven days a week. They’re also incredibly responsive on social media, often replying to inquiries on social media platforms within 24 hours. If you choose to complete their recommended monthly check-ins, you can do so via the My Byte app. The app also lets you get notifications for each aligner change, track your HyperByte usage, and chat with customer support, serving as a hub for all your treatment information and reminders.
Responsiveness & Helpfulness
We scoured the internet for genuine reviews of these companies and discovered that most customers report positive experiences with both Byte and Candid’s support teams.
Having a local dentist’s office in the mix throughout your Candid treatment will give you a resource that knows you and your teeth personally. Plus, Candid’s remote team has prioritized patient experience and appears to be very responsive on all channels, and they emphasize transparency about their treatment procedures. We’ve encountered very few complaints about their support.
Aside from the typical customer support avenues and hours, Byte assigns each customer a personal advisor who can help you get started and help you determine which plan is right for you. They’ve received some complaints about long wait times and unresponsive customer support, but most of their customer feedback is still positive.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Candid leaves refund policies up to each individual dentist. If you’re deemed ineligible for treatment, you might receive a refund for what you’ve paid so far, but it’s ultimately up to your dentist.
But what if you’re a few months into your aligner plan and dissatisfied with your progress? Contact your dentist. The benefit of having a local dentist in the loop is that they can potentially bring you back to the office for another examination and come up with an appropriate solution.
Byte doesn’t offer refunds after you’ve begun treatment, but their dentists and orthodontists will work with you to readjust your teeth if necessary. And once you’ve got the smile you’re after, they help you keep it forever. Their Byte for Life Guarantee means that the company will craft new aligners to realign your teeth if they shift at any point down the road, even years after you’ve completed treatment. To maintain your eligibility, however, you need to purchase a new set of retainers once a year and wear them as directed.
What Are Customers Saying?
When we review a company like Byte or Candid, we start by digging through online user reviews to understand the common issues customers face, and how the company handles them. Here’s how these two options stack up.
Byte
Generally, Byte users express positivity and satisfaction with their Byte experience. They often say they chose Byte because they appreciated the treatment’s efficiency, and liked that the HyperByte device could potentially eliminate some of the discomfort associated with wearing clear aligners.
A few customers, however, have noted that Byte’s aligners didn’t straighten their teeth as much as they’d expected, and they had to seek refinements. Others were pleased with their results, but were frustrated by some back and forth with customer support. These cases seem to be the exception rather than the rule, but they’re definitely something to consider as you research various aligners.
In the cases where something goes wrong, it seems like Byte worked to resolve the issue. So you can be confident that if you experience any issues during treatment, their support team will have your back.
For a realistic look at the customer experience, check out the unbiased Byte reviews we’ve gathered from users at various stages of the treatment process. Or, check out some of the video reviews our readers have submitted below!
Candid
The CandidPro model is so new that online reviews are virtually non-existent, so it’s difficult to form a view of the typical patient experience. That said, Candid’s fully remote option long inspired rave reviews, which speaks to the quality of their results and support.
Candid has numerous honest and straightforward online reviewers who don’t appear to be sponsored by the company. The general sentiment from these reviews is that patients feel satisfied and valued.
Most had very few issues with their clear aligners and expressed excitement about starting and continuing their treatment. In cases where something went wrong, Candid took care of it efficiently and inspired patient satisfaction in the outcome.
In addition to the unbiased Candid reviews we’ve collected from our readers, we encourage you to check out the video reviews below to get an unbiased look at what real patients have to say. (Keep in mind that these are reviews of Candid’s old fully remote service, not the new CandidPro hybrid model).
Which Clear Aligner Should You Choose?
We think Candid and Byte both offer convenient clear aligner treatment and excellent customer support. Still, we recommend Byte for most users because of their affordability and superior convenience.
Choose Byte if You Are:
Looking for an excellent overall value, innovative technology incorporated into your treatment, and the option to only wear your aligners at night.
Choose Candid if You Are:
Seeking the reassurance that comes from in-person care, paired with the ease of at-home treatment.
We Recommend Byte For Most Readers
Candid and Byte both offer a convenient and affordable alternative to visiting your dental provider for Invisalign treatment. Still, we recommend Byte for most users because we think they offer superior convenience and we appreciate their lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started with Byte or Candid?
To start your Byte treatment, purchase and submit an impression kit. You’ll create molds of your top and bottom arches using a special putty, then mail back the impressions. Every Candid patient begins their treatment by visiting one of their 800+ network dentists, who will provide an initial consultation and teeth scans. This dentist remains involved throughout the entire process.
What are customers saying about Byte and Candid?
Byte customers rave about everything from customer service to their results. It seems like Byte’s individualized customer service model promotes a great overall experience. But Candid’s customers often love their experiences too, expressing satisfaction with their pricing and final results.
How do I know which option is right for me?
We recommend looking at five things: scope of treatment, affordability, convenience, appearance, and customer friendliness. It’s all about finding the one that fits with your priorities, timeline, and budget.
What is the cheapest home aligner company?
AlignerCo. At just $995, their price beats every competitor we reviewed by a few hundred dollars, and sometimes they run promotions that drop it even lower. And if you can’t pay that up front, you can jump on a financing plan, regardless of your credit score. Check out our complete AlignerCo review for more info, or find other great-value options in our guide to the most affordable home aligners.
Will home aligners work for me?
It depends on your condition. Since home aligners don’t require office visits and in-person oversight, they can’t treat severe conditions like most jaw misalignments. If you have a mild or moderate case of crowding or spacing, you’re probably a good fit, though.
How do Byte and Candid compare to Invisalign?
Both companies use a series of clear aligners to shift your teeth. The main difference is that Invisalign requires you to attend office visits around every 4–10 weeks for your entire treatment. Candid provides office visits to begin and end treatment and remote oversight throughout, while Byte doesn’t require any in-person care. Take a look at our Byte vs. Invisalign and Candid vs. Invisalign guides for a deeper analysis.
How long does treatment take?
Most at-home clear aligner companies advertise an average treatment plan of about six months. Your timeline could be shorter or longer, though, depending on your condition’s severity and how consistently you wear your aligners. Byte claims their average treatment plan length is 4–5 months.
What other companies should I consider?
AlignerCo, SmileDirectClub, and NewSmile are all worth a look. Each one has its own advantages. AlignerCo offers the industry’s lowest prices, SmileDirectClub has the most experience and brand power, and we think NewSmile is another great value. Read through our guide to the top five home aligner companies for more on each option.
How much do home aligners cost?
$1,000–2,300, depending on which company you choose. AlignerCo, for example, has cut out the bells and whistles to provide treatment at just $995, while Byte and SmileDirectClub are a bit more. Candid’s hybrid model often costs $3,500+, which is still slightly less than the average costs of Invisalign or braces.
Does insurance cover home aligners?
Sometimes, but not often. Many insurance providers don’t cover cosmetic treatments, which can include home aligners. If your plan includes orthodontic benefits, though, you might receive partial reimbursement. The only way to know for sure is to contact your provider directly.
Are home aligners safe?
At-home clear aligner treatment plans are always designed and/or approved by a licensed dentist or orthodontist — as long as you’re buying from a legitimate clear aligner service.
The main concern regarding the safety of fully-remote clear aligner treatment is the lack of face-to-face care. Since you won’t be seeing a dentist in-person during treatment, you won’t receive the same level of support that you’d get with traditional in-office aligners like Invisalign or ClearCorrect. That said, a recent NIH-funded survey found the majority of at-home aligner customers were satisfied with their results, and only 6.6% experienced side effects necessitating a visit to their local dentist.
Read our guide to safe home teeth straightening treatment for more information.
Do home aligners hurt?
When you switch to a new aligner set every two weeks, you might experience some discomfort for the first day or two, but after that, you’ll hardly notice them.
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