# Braces Bands vs Smile Journey

The clearest difference is rating: Braces Bands at 4.5 against Smile Journey's 3.0. Braces Bands also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Smile Journey's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Braces Bands sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Smile Journey sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Braces Bands holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.

Braces Bands ships an update every 11 days, Smile Journey every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Braces Bands | Smile Journey |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braces-bands-braces-timer/id6748251609/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-journey-aligner-tracker/id6758919309/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 97 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kimgrowth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1803895830) | [APPS FOR DENTISTS, MCHJ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1808002601) |

## What reviewers say

### Braces Bands

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braces-bands-braces-timer/id6748251609)

This app helps you build a consistent habit of wearing your orthodontic rubber bands. Track your wear time, set daily goals, and receive reminders to ensure you stay on track with your treatment. Easily log your progress and make consistent advancements in your braces journey.

**Highlights:** Wear timer with single tap logging, Daily wear calendar visualization, Re-wear reminders for missed sessions, Customizable daily goals and alerts, Edit past wear time entries, Home widget for quick access (Premium)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $6.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


### Smile Journey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-journey-aligner-tracker/id6758919309)

Track your clear aligner treatment progress with photo documentation and wear time logging. Features include reminders, treatment timelines, and notes. Optional premium features offer cloud sync, time-lapses, and comparison tools.

**Highlights:** Guided progress photos, Daily wear time tracking, Treatment timeline, Notes and reminders, Weekly check-ins, iCloud sync and backup (Premium), Cinematic time-lapse (Premium)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Braces Bands free?

Braces Bands is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Smile Journey free?

Smile Journey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Braces Bands or Smile Journey?

Braces Bands is rated higher. Braces Bands averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Smile Journey averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Braces Bands or Smile Journey have ads?

Braces Bands shows ads; Smile Journey does not.

### Which is updated more often, Braces Bands or Smile Journey?

Braces Bands ships an update every 11 days, and Smile Journey every 2 months. Most recently, Braces Bands was updated on October 30, 2026 and Smile Journey on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*