Water Conditioner vs. Water Softener: What Is the Difference?
Understanding the real difference between salt-free conditioners and salt-based softeners.
Different technology, different results
A water softener (salt-based, ion exchange) removes calcium and magnesium ions from water, replacing them with sodium ions. The water is measurably soft. A water conditioner (salt-free, TAC/template assisted crystallization) does not remove minerals. It changes their structure so they cannot form scale. The water still tests as "hard" and still contains all original minerals.
What conditioners can and cannot do
Can: Prevent scale buildup in pipes and appliances (70-90% effective per independent studies). Cannot: Make water feel soft, improve soap lathering, prevent spotting on glass, help with dry skin and hair from hard water. If your primary concerns are fixtures and appliances, a conditioner works. If you want the feel of soft water, you need a softener.
When to choose each
Conditioner: 60-180 PPM hardness, scale prevention is the main goal, prefer zero maintenance, no drain access. Softener: 120+ PPM, want soft-feeling water, have skin/hair issues, want maximum appliance protection. See our detailed comparison.