Invisalign vs braces: cost compared – which is cheaper? (2026)
Fixed metal braces are usually the cheapest way to straighten teeth – from £1,100 – while Invisalign typically costs £3,000, with the ranges overlapping a lot. The right choice isn’t just about price, though: it’s about how visible you’re willing to be, how complex your case is, and whether you’d rather have something you can take out or something that just gets on with the job. Here’s the honest comparison, with live prices.
| Metric | Invisalign | Fixed Metal Braces |
|---|---|---|
| From | £950 | £1,100 |
| Typical | £3,000 | £2,800 |
| Range | £950–£5,950 | £1,100–£5,995 |
| Clinics pricing it | 268 | 43 |
| Links | Compare clinics | Compare clinics |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
The real difference
Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners you swap every week or two – barely visible, and you take them out to eat and brush. Fixed braces (metal or tooth-coloured ceramic) are bonded to your teeth for the whole treatment and do the work for you, with no discipline required. Fixed braces can move teeth in ways aligners struggle with, which is why dentists still reach for them on tricky cases – but they’re more visible and can feel less comfortable at first.
At a glance
| Feature | Invisalign | Fixed braces |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Mid-to-higher | Metal cheapest, ceramic similar |
| Look | Near-invisible | Visible (metal) or subtle (ceramic) |
| Removable | Yes - out to eat and brush | No - fixed on |
| Best for | Mild to moderate cases | All cases, including complex |
| Willpower needed | Yes - 20-22 hrs a day | No - it's always working |
| Comfort | Smooth plastic | Can rub at first |
| Cleaning | Easy, brush as normal | More care around brackets |
So which is actually cheaper?
Fixed metal braces are almost always the lowest-cost option, typically £1,100–£5,995. Tooth-coloured ceramic braces cost a bit more for the discretion, typically £1,500–£6,995, which puts them in similar territory to Invisalign (£950–£5,950). Lingual braces (hidden behind the teeth) are the most expensive of all. So the cheapest route is metal braces; Invisalign vs ceramic braces is often a closer call on price than people assume – compare the two you’re actually choosing between live above.
Does where you live change the price?
Yes – the same treatment can vary by well over a thousand pounds between clinics. The cheapest city we track for Invisalign is Norwich (from £950). Compare providers near you:
| City | From | Typical | Clinics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,200 | £2,997 | 44 | Compare → |
| Birmingham | £999 | £3,050 | 20 | Compare → |
| Manchester | £995 | £2,990 | 18 | Compare → |
| Glasgow | £1,750 | £3,000 | 13 | Compare → |
| Liverpool | £1,700 | £3,200 | 13 | Compare → |
| Edinburgh | £1,730 | £2,865 | 12 | Compare → |
| Bristol | £1,250 | £3,000 | 11 | Compare → |
| Leicester | £1,240 | £2,875 | 10 | Compare → |
| Ipswich | £1,800 | £2,700 | 9 | Compare → |
| Milton Keynes | £1,495 | £2,000 | 9 | Compare → |
| Cambridge | £1,700 | £3,105 | 8 | Compare → |
| Norwich | £950 | £2,850 | 8 | Compare → |
| Southampton | £1,695 | £2,522.50 | 8 | Compare → |
| Cardiff | £1,500 | £2,800 | 7 | Compare → |
| Coventry | £1,500 | £1,500 | 7 | Compare → |
| Leeds | £2,047 | £2,995 | 7 | Compare → |
| Plymouth | £2,500 | £3,500 | 7 | Compare → |
| Nottingham | £1,050 | £3,500 | 6 | Compare → |
| Reading | £1,495 | £2,975 | 6 | Compare → |
| Sheffield | £1,800 | £3,000 | 6 | Compare → |
| Bournemouth | £1,300 | £2,400 | 5 | Compare → |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | £2,000 | £3,000 | 5 | Compare → |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £2,500 | £3,000 | 5 | Compare → |
| Swansea | £1,750 | £2,500 | 5 | Compare → |
| Luton | £2,450 | £3,750 | 4 | Compare → |
| Wolverhampton | £2,500 | £3,147.50 | 4 | Compare → |
| Derby | £3,500 | £3,500 | 3 | Compare → |
| Hull | £1,950 | £2,400 | 3 | Compare → |
| Oxford | £2,400 | £3,750 | 3 | Compare → |
| Portsmouth | £4,100 | £4,207.50 | 2 | Compare → |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
Are they available on the NHS?
For adults, almost never – both Invisalign and adult braces are considered cosmetic and are private. NHS orthodontics is mainly for under-18s who meet a clinical need, and uses traditional metal braces rather than clear aligners.
Which should you choose?
Invisalign suits you if you want to straighten discreetly, you have a mild-to-moderate case, and you’ll genuinely wear the aligners 20-22 hours a day. Fixed braces suit you if you want the lowest cost (metal), your case is complex, or you’d rather not rely on willpower – the braces are always working. If it’s ceramic braces vs Invisalign purely on looks, that’s where price is closest, so let comfort and your dentist’s advice decide.
Spreading the cost
Almost every clinic offers 0% finance over the length of treatment for both options, so the headline figure usually becomes a manageable monthly payment. Always check it’s genuinely 0% APR and confirm the total repayable – and that refinements and retainers (the bits people forget) are included in the quote.
How to avoid overpaying
- Compare the two you’re actually choosing between – metal braces vs Invisalign, or ceramic vs Invisalign – not a headline “from” price.
- Check what’s included: consultation, scans, refinements and retainers.
- Confirm the Invisalign package covers your full case (a cheap “lite” plan may not).
- Ask about 0% finance and the total repayable.
- Compare a few providers – for Invisalign alone, the gap between cheapest and dearest we track is £5,000.
Frequently asked questions
Is Invisalign more expensive than braces?
Usually more than fixed metal braces (the cheapest option), but similar to tooth-coloured ceramic braces. Compare the live prices above for the two you’re deciding between.
Are braces or Invisalign better for complex cases?
Fixed braces generally handle complex movements better, which is why they’re often recommended – and can even be cheaper – for tricky cases. Invisalign is best for mild-to-moderate needs.
Which is faster, Invisalign or braces?
It depends on the case more than the method – both typically take around 12 to 24 months. Invisalign only works while you’re wearing it, so results rely on you keeping the aligners in.
Can I get either on the NHS as an adult?
Rarely – NHS orthodontics is mainly for under-18s with a clinical need and uses metal braces. Adult treatment is almost always private.
Ready to compare? See live Invisalign prices and metal braces prices by clinic, read the full Invisalign and braces cost guides, or browse all UK clinics.
