diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 24e370caee..bebf6c3f5a 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ TAGS
 .idea/*
 .idea_modules
 .DS_Store
+.vscode
 .sbtrc
 *.sublime-project
 *.sublime-workspace
diff --git a/binCompatTest/src/main/scala/catsBC/MimaExceptions.scala b/binCompatTest/src/main/scala/catsBC/MimaExceptions.scala
index 91bcae72be..ad17ec0eca 100644
--- a/binCompatTest/src/main/scala/catsBC/MimaExceptions.scala
+++ b/binCompatTest/src/main/scala/catsBC/MimaExceptions.scala
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@ object MimaExceptions {
     Either.catchOnly[NumberFormatException] { "foo".toInt },
     (1.validNel[String], 2.validNel[String], 3.validNel[String]) mapN (_ + _ + _),
     (1.asRight[String], 2.asRight[String], 3.asRight[String]) parMapN (_ + _ + _),
-    InjectK.catsReflexiveInjectKInstance[Option]
+    InjectK.catsReflexiveInjectKInstance[Option],
+    (
+      cats.Bimonad[cats.data.NonEmptyChain],
+      cats.NonEmptyTraverse[cats.data.NonEmptyChain],
+      cats.SemigroupK[cats.data.NonEmptyChain]
+    )
   )
 }
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala-2.12/cats/compat/Vector.scala b/core/src/main/scala-2.12/cats/compat/Vector.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..31917aa3bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/scala-2.12/cats/compat/Vector.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+package cats.compat
+
+private[cats] object Vector {
+  def zipWith[A, B, C](fa: Vector[A], fb: Vector[B])(f: (A, B) => C): Vector[C] =
+    (fa, fb).zipped.map(f)
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/compat/Vector.scala b/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/compat/Vector.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e3f0f5e223
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/compat/Vector.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+package cats.compat
+
+private[cats] object Vector {
+  def zipWith[A, B, C](fa: Vector[A], fb: Vector[B])(f: (A, B) => C): Vector[C] =
+    fa.lazyZip(fb).map(f)
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/data/NonEmptyLazyList.scala b/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/data/NonEmptyLazyList.scala
index 2cbed1312d..6f11f312f7 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/data/NonEmptyLazyList.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/data/NonEmptyLazyList.scala
@@ -330,9 +330,11 @@ class NonEmptyLazyListOps[A](private val value: NonEmptyLazyList[A]) extends Any
 
 sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyLazyListInstances extends NonEmptyLazyListInstances1 {
 
-  implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyLazyList
-    : Bimonad[NonEmptyLazyList] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyLazyList] with SemigroupK[NonEmptyLazyList] =
-    new AbstractNonEmptyInstances[LazyList, NonEmptyLazyList] {
+  implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyLazyList: Bimonad[NonEmptyLazyList]
+    with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyLazyList]
+    with SemigroupK[NonEmptyLazyList]
+    with Align[NonEmptyLazyList] =
+    new AbstractNonEmptyInstances[LazyList, NonEmptyLazyList] with Align[NonEmptyLazyList] {
 
       def extract[A](fa: NonEmptyLazyList[A]): A = fa.head
 
@@ -353,6 +355,17 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyLazyListInstances extends NonEmptyLa
         Eval.defer(fa.reduceRightTo(a => Eval.now(f(a))) { (a, b) =>
           Eval.defer(g(a, b))
         })
+
+      private val alignInstance = Align[LazyList].asInstanceOf[Align[NonEmptyLazyList]]
+
+      def functor: Functor[NonEmptyLazyList] = alignInstance.functor
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: NonEmptyLazyList[A], fb: NonEmptyLazyList[B]): NonEmptyLazyList[Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignInstance.align(fa, fb)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: NonEmptyLazyList[A],
+                                      fb: NonEmptyLazyList[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): NonEmptyLazyList[C] =
+        alignInstance.alignWith(fa, fb)(f)
     }
 
   implicit def catsDataOrderForNonEmptyLazyList[A: Order]: Order[NonEmptyLazyList[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/instances/lazyList.scala b/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/instances/lazyList.scala
index 9e9c344a92..bf570f606a 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/instances/lazyList.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala-2.13+/cats/instances/lazyList.scala
@@ -3,14 +3,20 @@ package instances
 
 import cats.kernel
 import cats.syntax.show._
+import cats.data.Ior
 import cats.data.ZipLazyList
 
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 
 trait LazyListInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.LazyListInstances {
+
   implicit val catsStdInstancesForLazyList
-    : Traverse[LazyList] with Alternative[LazyList] with Monad[LazyList] with CoflatMap[LazyList] =
-    new Traverse[LazyList] with Alternative[LazyList] with Monad[LazyList] with CoflatMap[LazyList] {
+    : Traverse[LazyList] with Alternative[LazyList] with Monad[LazyList] with CoflatMap[LazyList] with Align[LazyList] =
+    new Traverse[LazyList]
+      with Alternative[LazyList]
+      with Monad[LazyList]
+      with CoflatMap[LazyList]
+      with Align[LazyList] {
 
       def empty[A]: LazyList[A] = LazyList.empty
 
@@ -123,6 +129,28 @@ trait LazyListInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.LazyListInstances {
 
       override def collectFirstSome[A, B](fa: LazyList[A])(f: A => Option[B]): Option[B] =
         fa.collectFirst(Function.unlift(f))
+
+      def functor: Functor[LazyList] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: LazyList[A], fb: LazyList[B]): LazyList[Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: LazyList[A], fb: LazyList[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): LazyList[C] = {
+
+        val alignIterator = new Iterator[C] {
+          val iterA = fa.iterator
+          val iterB = fb.iterator
+          def hasNext: Boolean = iterA.hasNext || iterB.hasNext
+          def next(): C =
+            f(
+              if (iterA.hasNext && iterB.hasNext) Ior.both(iterA.next(), iterB.next())
+              else if (iterA.hasNext) Ior.left(iterA.next())
+              else Ior.right(iterB.next())
+            )
+        }
+
+        LazyList.from(alignIterator)
+      }
     }
 
   implicit def catsStdShowForLazyList[A: Show]: Show[LazyList[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/Align.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/Align.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..801d15a65c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/Align.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+package cats
+
+import simulacrum.typeclass
+
+import cats.data.Ior
+
+/**
+ * `Align` supports zipping together structures with different shapes,
+ * holding the results from either or both structures in an `Ior`.
+ *
+ * Must obey the laws in cats.laws.AlignLaws
+ */
+@typeclass trait Align[F[_]] {
+
+  def functor: Functor[F]
+
+  /**
+   * Pairs elements of two structures along the union of their shapes, using `Ior` to hold the results.
+   *
+   * Example:
+   * {{{
+   * scala> import cats.implicits._
+   * scala> import cats.data.Ior
+   * scala> Align[List].align(List(1, 2), List(10, 11, 12))
+   * res0: List[Ior[Int, Int]] = List(Both(1,10), Both(2,11), Right(12))
+   * }}}
+   */
+  def align[A, B](fa: F[A], fb: F[B]): F[Ior[A, B]]
+
+  /**
+   * Combines elements similarly to `align`, using the provided function to compute the results.
+   *
+   * Example:
+   * {{{
+   * scala> import cats.implicits._
+   * scala> Align[List].alignWith(List(1, 2), List(10, 11, 12))(_.mergeLeft)
+   * res0: List[Int] = List(1, 2, 12)
+   * }}}
+   */
+  def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: F[A], fb: F[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): F[C] =
+    functor.map(align(fa, fb))(f)
+
+  /**
+   * Align two structures with the same element, combining results according to their semigroup instances.
+   *
+   * Example:
+   * {{{
+   * scala> import cats.implicits._
+   * scala> Align[List].alignCombine(List(1, 2), List(10, 11, 12))
+   * res0: List[Int] = List(11, 13, 12)
+   * }}}
+   */
+  def alignCombine[A: Semigroup](fa1: F[A], fa2: F[A]): F[A] =
+    alignWith(fa1, fa2)(_.merge)
+
+  /**
+   * Same as `align`, but forgets from the type that one of the two elements must be present.
+   *
+   * Example:
+   * {{{
+   * scala> import cats.implicits._
+   * scala> Align[List].padZip(List(1, 2), List(10))
+   * res0: List[(Option[Int], Option[Int])] = List((Some(1),Some(10)), (Some(2),None))
+   * }}}
+   */
+  def padZip[A, B](fa: F[A], fb: F[B]): F[(Option[A], Option[B])] =
+    alignWith(fa, fb)(_.pad)
+
+  /**
+   * Same as `alignWith`, but forgets from the type that one of the two elements must be present.
+   *
+   * Example:
+   * {{{
+   * scala> import cats.implicits._
+   * scala> Align[List].padZipWith(List(1, 2), List(10, 11, 12))(_ |+| _)
+   * res0: List[Option[Int]] = List(Some(11), Some(13), Some(12))
+   * }}}
+   */
+  def padZipWith[A, B, C](fa: F[A], fb: F[B])(f: (Option[A], Option[B]) => C): F[C] =
+    alignWith(fa, fb) { ior =>
+      val (oa, ob) = ior.pad
+      f(oa, ob)
+    }
+}
+
+object Align {
+  def semigroup[F[_], A](implicit F: Align[F], A: Semigroup[A]): Semigroup[F[A]] = new Semigroup[F[A]] {
+    def combine(x: F[A], y: F[A]): F[A] = Align[F].alignCombine(x, y)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/Apply.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/Apply.scala
index f618cd8df9..3a43f93a43 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/Apply.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/Apply.scala
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cats
 
 import simulacrum.typeclass
 import simulacrum.noop
+import cats.data.Ior
 
 /**
  * Weaker version of Applicative[F]; has apply but not pure.
@@ -225,6 +226,11 @@ object Apply {
    */
   def semigroup[F[_], A](implicit f: Apply[F], sg: Semigroup[A]): Semigroup[F[A]] =
     new ApplySemigroup[F, A](f, sg)
+
+  def align[F[_]: Apply]: Align[F] = new Align[F] {
+    def align[A, B](fa: F[A], fb: F[B]): F[Ior[A, B]] = Apply[F].map2(fa, fb)(Ior.both)
+    def functor: Functor[F] = Apply[F]
+  }
 }
 
 private[cats] class ApplySemigroup[F[_], A](f: Apply[F], sg: Semigroup[A]) extends Semigroup[F[A]] {
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/SemigroupK.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/SemigroupK.scala
index f3ca1b5965..4aba7ba023 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/SemigroupK.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/SemigroupK.scala
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package cats
 
 import simulacrum.typeclass
+import cats.data.Ior
 
 /**
  * SemigroupK is a universal semigroup which operates on kinds.
@@ -68,3 +69,11 @@ import simulacrum.typeclass
       val F = self
     }
 }
+
+object SemigroupK {
+  def align[F[_]: SemigroupK: Functor]: Align[F] = new Align[F] {
+    def align[A, B](fa: F[A], fb: F[B]): F[Ior[A, B]] =
+      SemigroupK[F].combineK(Functor[F].map(fa)(Ior.left), Functor[F].map(fb)(Ior.right))
+    def functor: Functor[F] = Functor[F]
+  }
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/AbstractNonEmptyInstances.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/AbstractNonEmptyInstances.scala
index 57a65ecf42..2641a4f364 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/AbstractNonEmptyInstances.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/AbstractNonEmptyInstances.scala
@@ -77,5 +77,4 @@ abstract private[data] class AbstractNonEmptyInstances[F[_], NonEmptyF[_]](impli
 
   override def collectFirstSome[A, B](fa: NonEmptyF[A])(f: A => Option[B]): Option[B] =
     traverseInstance.collectFirstSome(fa)(f)
-
 }
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Chain.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Chain.scala
index 7a9cacf0c0..05a90cbc36 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Chain.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Chain.scala
@@ -681,8 +681,8 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class ChainInstances extends ChainInstances1 {
   }
 
   implicit val catsDataInstancesForChain
-    : Traverse[Chain] with Alternative[Chain] with Monad[Chain] with CoflatMap[Chain] =
-    new Traverse[Chain] with Alternative[Chain] with Monad[Chain] with CoflatMap[Chain] {
+    : Traverse[Chain] with Alternative[Chain] with Monad[Chain] with CoflatMap[Chain] with Align[Chain] =
+    new Traverse[Chain] with Alternative[Chain] with Monad[Chain] with CoflatMap[Chain] with Align[Chain] {
       def foldLeft[A, B](fa: Chain[A], b: B)(f: (B, A) => B): B =
         fa.foldLeft(b)(f)
       def foldRight[A, B](fa: Chain[A], lb: Eval[B])(f: (A, Eval[B]) => Eval[B]): Eval[B] =
@@ -743,6 +743,27 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class ChainInstances extends ChainInstances1 {
       }
 
       override def get[A](fa: Chain[A])(idx: Long): Option[A] = fa.get(idx)
+
+      def functor: Functor[Chain] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: Chain[A], fb: Chain[B]): Chain[Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: Chain[A], fb: Chain[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): Chain[C] = {
+        val iterA = fa.iterator
+        val iterB = fb.iterator
+
+        var result: Chain[C] = Chain.empty
+
+        while (iterA.hasNext || iterB.hasNext) {
+          val ior =
+            if (iterA.hasNext && iterB.hasNext) Ior.both(iterA.next(), iterB.next())
+            else if (iterA.hasNext) Ior.left(iterA.next())
+            else Ior.right(iterB.next())
+          result = result :+ f(ior)
+        }
+        result
+      }
     }
 
   implicit def catsDataShowForChain[A](implicit A: Show[A]): Show[Chain[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Const.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Const.scala
index 90a637b116..c8e1e6aba4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Const.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Const.scala
@@ -74,6 +74,12 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class ConstInstances extends ConstInstances0 {
       x.compare(y)
   }
 
+  implicit def catsDataAlignForConst[A: Semigroup]: Align[Const[A, *]] = new Align[Const[A, *]] {
+    def align[B, C](fa: Const[A, B], fb: Const[A, C]): Const[A, Ior[B, C]] =
+      Const(Semigroup[A].combine(fa.getConst, fb.getConst))
+    def functor: Functor[Const[A, *]] = catsDataFunctorForConst
+  }
+
   implicit def catsDataShowForConst[A: Show, B]: Show[Const[A, B]] = new Show[Const[A, B]] {
     def show(f: Const[A, B]): String = f.show
   }
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyChain.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyChain.scala
index fc4ed37435..45d5dbf4db 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyChain.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyChain.scala
@@ -418,9 +418,11 @@ class NonEmptyChainOps[A](private val value: NonEmptyChain[A]) extends AnyVal {
 
 sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyChainInstances extends NonEmptyChainInstances1 {
 
-  implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyChain
-    : SemigroupK[NonEmptyChain] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyChain] with Bimonad[NonEmptyChain] =
-    new AbstractNonEmptyInstances[Chain, NonEmptyChain] {
+  implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyChain: SemigroupK[NonEmptyChain]
+    with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyChain]
+    with Bimonad[NonEmptyChain]
+    with Align[NonEmptyChain] =
+    new AbstractNonEmptyInstances[Chain, NonEmptyChain] with Align[NonEmptyChain] {
       def extract[A](fa: NonEmptyChain[A]): A = fa.head
 
       def nonEmptyTraverse[G[_]: Apply, A, B](fa: NonEmptyChain[A])(f: A => G[B]): G[NonEmptyChain[B]] =
@@ -451,6 +453,16 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyChainInstances extends NonEmptyChain
 
       override def get[A](fa: NonEmptyChain[A])(idx: Long): Option[A] =
         if (idx == 0) Some(fa.head) else fa.tail.get(idx - 1)
+
+      private val alignInstance = Align[Chain].asInstanceOf[Align[NonEmptyChain]]
+
+      def functor: Functor[NonEmptyChain] = alignInstance.functor
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: NonEmptyChain[A], fb: NonEmptyChain[B]): NonEmptyChain[Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignInstance.align(fa, fb)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: NonEmptyChain[A], fb: NonEmptyChain[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): NonEmptyChain[C] =
+        alignInstance.alignWith(fa, fb)(f)
     }
 
   implicit def catsDataOrderForNonEmptyChain[A: Order]: Order[NonEmptyChain[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyList.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyList.scala
index 43fb0c7390..9bea4dc4d4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyList.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyList.scala
@@ -510,11 +510,12 @@ object NonEmptyList extends NonEmptyListInstances {
 sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyListInstances extends NonEmptyListInstances0 {
 
   implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyList
-    : SemigroupK[NonEmptyList] with Bimonad[NonEmptyList] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyList] =
+    : SemigroupK[NonEmptyList] with Bimonad[NonEmptyList] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyList] with Align[NonEmptyList] =
     new NonEmptyReducible[NonEmptyList, List]
       with SemigroupK[NonEmptyList]
       with Bimonad[NonEmptyList]
-      with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyList] {
+      with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyList]
+      with Align[NonEmptyList] {
 
       def combineK[A](a: NonEmptyList[A], b: NonEmptyList[A]): NonEmptyList[A] =
         a.concatNel(b)
@@ -619,6 +620,25 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyListInstances extends NonEmptyListIn
 
       override def get[A](fa: NonEmptyList[A])(idx: Long): Option[A] =
         if (idx == 0) Some(fa.head) else Foldable[List].get(fa.tail)(idx - 1)
+
+      def functor: Functor[NonEmptyList] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: NonEmptyList[A], fb: NonEmptyList[B]): NonEmptyList[Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: NonEmptyList[A], fb: NonEmptyList[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): NonEmptyList[C] = {
+
+        @tailrec
+        def go(as: List[A], bs: List[B], acc: List[C]): List[C] = (as, bs) match {
+          case (Nil, Nil)         => acc
+          case (Nil, y :: ys)     => go(Nil, ys, f(Ior.right(y)) :: acc)
+          case (x :: xs, Nil)     => go(xs, Nil, f(Ior.left(x)) :: acc)
+          case (x :: xs, y :: ys) => go(xs, ys, f(Ior.both(x, y)) :: acc)
+        }
+
+        NonEmptyList(f(Ior.both(fa.head, fb.head)), go(fa.tail, fb.tail, Nil).reverse)
+      }
+
     }
 
   implicit def catsDataShowForNonEmptyList[A](implicit A: Show[A]): Show[NonEmptyList[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyMapImpl.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyMapImpl.scala
index 3195c88694..abd52b4aa4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyMapImpl.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyMapImpl.scala
@@ -268,8 +268,8 @@ sealed class NonEmptyMapOps[K, A](val value: NonEmptyMap[K, A]) {
 sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyMapInstances extends NonEmptyMapInstances0 {
 
   implicit def catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyMap[K: Order]
-    : SemigroupK[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] =
-    new SemigroupK[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] {
+    : SemigroupK[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] with Align[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] =
+    new SemigroupK[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] with Align[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] {
 
       override def map[A, B](fa: NonEmptyMap[K, A])(f: A => B): NonEmptyMap[K, B] =
         fa.map(f)
@@ -316,6 +316,11 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyMapInstances extends NonEmptyMapInst
 
       override def toNonEmptyList[A](fa: NonEmptyMap[K, A]): NonEmptyList[A] =
         NonEmptyList(fa.head._2, fa.tail.toList.map(_._2))
+
+      def functor: Functor[NonEmptyMap[K, *]] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: NonEmptyMap[K, A], fb: NonEmptyMap[K, B]): NonEmptyMap[K, Ior[A, B]] =
+        NonEmptyMap.fromMapUnsafe(Align[SortedMap[K, *]].align(fa.toSortedMap, fb.toSortedMap))
     }
 
   implicit def catsDataHashForNonEmptyMap[K: Hash: Order, A: Hash]: Hash[NonEmptyMap[K, A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyVector.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyVector.scala
index 606d477ec4..07f2324f75 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyVector.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/NonEmptyVector.scala
@@ -238,12 +238,15 @@ final class NonEmptyVector[+A] private (val toVector: Vector[A]) extends AnyVal
 @suppressUnusedImportWarningForScalaVersionSpecific
 sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyVectorInstances {
 
-  implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyVector
-    : SemigroupK[NonEmptyVector] with Bimonad[NonEmptyVector] with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyVector] =
+  implicit val catsDataInstancesForNonEmptyVector: SemigroupK[NonEmptyVector]
+    with Bimonad[NonEmptyVector]
+    with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyVector]
+    with Align[NonEmptyVector] =
     new NonEmptyReducible[NonEmptyVector, Vector]
       with SemigroupK[NonEmptyVector]
       with Bimonad[NonEmptyVector]
-      with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyVector] {
+      with NonEmptyTraverse[NonEmptyVector]
+      with Align[NonEmptyVector] {
 
       def combineK[A](a: NonEmptyVector[A], b: NonEmptyVector[A]): NonEmptyVector[A] =
         a.concatNev(b)
@@ -360,6 +363,15 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class NonEmptyVectorInstances {
 
       override def toNonEmptyList[A](fa: NonEmptyVector[A]): NonEmptyList[A] =
         NonEmptyList(fa.head, fa.tail.toList)
+
+      def functor: Functor[NonEmptyVector] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: NonEmptyVector[A], fb: NonEmptyVector[B]): NonEmptyVector[Ior[A, B]] =
+        NonEmptyVector.fromVectorUnsafe(Align[Vector].align(fa.toVector, fb.toVector))
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: NonEmptyVector[A],
+                                      fb: NonEmptyVector[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): NonEmptyVector[C] =
+        NonEmptyVector.fromVectorUnsafe(Align[Vector].alignWith(fa.toVector, fb.toVector)(f))
     }
 
   implicit def catsDataEqForNonEmptyVector[A](implicit A: Eq[A]): Eq[NonEmptyVector[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala
index 442ddd9806..26931c1840 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala
@@ -835,6 +835,27 @@ sealed abstract private[data] class ValidatedInstances extends ValidatedInstance
       }
     }
 
+  implicit def catsDataAlignForValidated[E: Semigroup]: Align[Validated[E, *]] =
+    new Align[Validated[E, *]] {
+      def functor: Functor[Validated[E, *]] = catsDataTraverseFunctorForValidated
+      def align[A, B](fa: Validated[E, A], fb: Validated[E, B]): Validated[E, Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: Validated[E, A], fb: Validated[E, B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): Validated[E, C] =
+        fa match {
+          case Invalid(e) =>
+            fb match {
+              case Invalid(e2) => Invalid(Semigroup[E].combine(e, e2))
+              case Valid(b)    => Valid(f(Ior.right(b)))
+            }
+          case Valid(a) =>
+            fb match {
+              case Invalid(e) => Valid(f(Ior.left(a)))
+              case Valid(b)   => Valid(f(Ior.both(a, b)))
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
   implicit def catsDataMonoidForValidated[A, B](implicit A: Semigroup[A], B: Monoid[B]): Monoid[Validated[A, B]] =
     new Monoid[Validated[A, B]] {
       def empty: Validated[A, B] = Valid(B.empty)
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/either.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/either.scala
index ff2025a146..18ba15f413 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/either.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/either.scala
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import cats.syntax.EitherUtil
 import cats.syntax.either._
 
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
+import cats.data.Ior
 
 trait EitherInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.EitherInstances {
   implicit val catsStdBitraverseForEither: Bitraverse[Either] =
@@ -33,8 +34,9 @@ trait EitherInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.EitherInstances {
     }
 
   // scalastyle:off method.length
-  implicit def catsStdInstancesForEither[A]: MonadError[Either[A, *], A] with Traverse[Either[A, *]] =
-    new MonadError[Either[A, *], A] with Traverse[Either[A, *]] {
+  implicit def catsStdInstancesForEither[A]
+    : MonadError[Either[A, *], A] with Traverse[Either[A, *]] with Align[Either[A, *]] =
+    new MonadError[Either[A, *], A] with Traverse[Either[A, *]] with Align[Either[A, *]] {
       def pure[B](b: B): Either[A, B] = Right(b)
 
       def flatMap[B, C](fa: Either[A, B])(f: B => Either[A, C]): Either[A, C] =
@@ -142,6 +144,25 @@ trait EitherInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.EitherInstances {
 
       override def isEmpty[B](fab: Either[A, B]): Boolean =
         fab.isLeft
+
+      def functor: Functor[Either[A, *]] = this
+
+      def align[B, C](fa: Either[A, B], fb: Either[A, C]): Either[A, Ior[B, C]] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[B, C, D](fb: Either[A, B], fc: Either[A, C])(f: Ior[B, C] => D): Either[A, D] = fb match {
+        case left @ Left(a) =>
+          fc match {
+            case Left(_)  => left.rightCast[D]
+            case Right(c) => Right(f(Ior.right(c)))
+          }
+        case Right(b) =>
+          fc match {
+            case Left(a)  => Right(f(Ior.left(b)))
+            case Right(c) => Right(f(Ior.both(b, c)))
+          }
+      }
+
     }
   // scalastyle:on method.length
 
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/list.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/list.scala
index d93cadfafe..0e7fcde6cd 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/list.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/list.scala
@@ -7,10 +7,13 @@ import cats.syntax.show._
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import scala.collection.mutable.ListBuffer
 
+import cats.data.Ior
+
 trait ListInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.ListInstances {
 
-  implicit val catsStdInstancesForList: Traverse[List] with Alternative[List] with Monad[List] with CoflatMap[List] =
-    new Traverse[List] with Alternative[List] with Monad[List] with CoflatMap[List] {
+  implicit val catsStdInstancesForList
+    : Traverse[List] with Alternative[List] with Monad[List] with CoflatMap[List] with Align[List] =
+    new Traverse[List] with Alternative[List] with Monad[List] with CoflatMap[List] with Align[List] {
       def empty[A]: List[A] = Nil
 
       def combineK[A](x: List[A], y: List[A]): List[A] = x ++ y
@@ -75,6 +78,22 @@ trait ListInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.ListInstances {
           G.map2Eval(f(a), lglb)(_ :: _)
         }.value
 
+      def functor: Functor[List] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: List[A], fb: List[B]): List[A Ior B] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: List[A], fb: List[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): List[C] = {
+        @tailrec def loop(buf: ListBuffer[C], as: List[A], bs: List[B]): List[C] =
+          (as, bs) match {
+            case (a :: atail, b :: btail) => loop(buf += f(Ior.Both(a, b)), atail, btail)
+            case (Nil, Nil)               => buf.toList
+            case (arest, Nil)             => (buf ++= arest.map(a => f(Ior.left(a)))).toList
+            case (Nil, brest)             => (buf ++= brest.map(b => f(Ior.right(b)))).toList
+          }
+        loop(ListBuffer.empty[C], fa, fb)
+      }
+
       override def mapWithIndex[A, B](fa: List[A])(f: (A, Int) => B): List[B] =
         fa.iterator.zipWithIndex.map(ai => f(ai._1, ai._2)).toList
 
@@ -143,7 +162,6 @@ trait ListInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.ListInstances {
 
       override def collectFirstSome[A, B](fa: List[A])(f: A => Option[B]): Option[B] =
         fa.collectFirst(Function.unlift(f))
-
     }
 
   implicit def catsStdShowForList[A: Show]: Show[List[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/map.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/map.scala
index a0524a88b0..4cfacff041 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/map.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/map.scala
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import cats.kernel.CommutativeMonoid
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import cats.arrow.Compose
 
+import cats.data.Ior
+
 trait MapInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.MapInstances {
 
   implicit def catsStdShowForMap[A, B](implicit showA: Show[A], showB: Show[B]): Show[Map[A, B]] =
@@ -17,8 +19,8 @@ trait MapInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.MapInstances {
     }
 
   // scalastyle:off method.length
-  implicit def catsStdInstancesForMap[K]: UnorderedTraverse[Map[K, *]] with FlatMap[Map[K, *]] =
-    new UnorderedTraverse[Map[K, *]] with FlatMap[Map[K, *]] {
+  implicit def catsStdInstancesForMap[K]: UnorderedTraverse[Map[K, *]] with FlatMap[Map[K, *]] with Align[Map[K, *]] =
+    new UnorderedTraverse[Map[K, *]] with FlatMap[Map[K, *]] with Align[Map[K, *]] {
 
       def unorderedTraverse[G[_], A, B](
         fa: Map[K, A]
@@ -88,6 +90,26 @@ trait MapInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.MapInstances {
 
       override def exists[A](fa: Map[K, A])(p: A => Boolean): Boolean = fa.exists(pair => p(pair._2))
 
+      def functor: Functor[Map[K, *]] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: Map[K, A], fb: Map[K, B]): Map[K, A Ior B] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: Map[K, A], fb: Map[K, B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): Map[K, C] = {
+        val keys = fa.keySet ++ fb.keySet
+        val builder = Map.newBuilder[K, C]
+        builder.sizeHint(keys.size)
+        keys
+          .foldLeft(builder) { (builder, k) =>
+            (fa.get(k), fb.get(k)) match {
+              case (Some(a), Some(b)) => builder += k -> f(Ior.both(a, b))
+              case (Some(a), None)    => builder += k -> f(Ior.left(a))
+              case (None, Some(b))    => builder += k -> f(Ior.right(b))
+              case (None, None)       => ??? // should not happen
+            }
+          }
+          .result()
+      }
     }
   // scalastyle:on method.length
 
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/option.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/option.scala
index 2de68b1ed0..cc4961103e 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/option.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/option.scala
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cats
 package instances
 
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
+import cats.data.Ior
 
 trait OptionInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.OptionInstances {
 
@@ -9,12 +10,14 @@ trait OptionInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.OptionInstances {
     with MonadError[Option, Unit]
     with Alternative[Option]
     with CommutativeMonad[Option]
-    with CoflatMap[Option] =
+    with CoflatMap[Option]
+    with Align[Option] =
     new Traverse[Option]
       with MonadError[Option, Unit]
       with Alternative[Option]
       with CommutativeMonad[Option]
-      with CoflatMap[Option] {
+      with CoflatMap[Option]
+      with Align[Option] {
 
       def empty[A]: Option[A] = None
 
@@ -119,6 +122,19 @@ trait OptionInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.OptionInstances {
       override def collectFirst[A, B](fa: Option[A])(pf: PartialFunction[A, B]): Option[B] = fa.collectFirst(pf)
 
       override def collectFirstSome[A, B](fa: Option[A])(f: A => Option[B]): Option[B] = fa.flatMap(f)
+
+      def functor: Functor[Option] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: Option[A], fb: Option[B]): Option[A Ior B] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: Option[A], fb: Option[B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): Option[C] =
+        (fa, fb) match {
+          case (None, None)       => None
+          case (Some(a), None)    => Some(f(Ior.left(a)))
+          case (None, Some(b))    => Some(f(Ior.right(b)))
+          case (Some(a), Some(b)) => Some(f(Ior.both(a, b)))
+        }
     }
 
   implicit def catsStdShowForOption[A](implicit A: Show[A]): Show[Option[A]] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/sortedMap.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/sortedMap.scala
index 4ac4721cfb..76b23e638e 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/sortedMap.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/sortedMap.scala
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ import cats.kernel._
 
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import scala.collection.immutable.SortedMap
+import cats.Align
+import cats.Functor
+import cats.data.Ior
 
 trait SortedMapInstances extends SortedMapInstances2 {
 
@@ -25,8 +28,9 @@ trait SortedMapInstances extends SortedMapInstances2 {
     }
 
   // scalastyle:off method.length
-  implicit def catsStdInstancesForSortedMap[K: Order]: Traverse[SortedMap[K, *]] with FlatMap[SortedMap[K, *]] =
-    new Traverse[SortedMap[K, *]] with FlatMap[SortedMap[K, *]] {
+  implicit def catsStdInstancesForSortedMap[K: Order]
+    : Traverse[SortedMap[K, *]] with FlatMap[SortedMap[K, *]] with Align[SortedMap[K, *]] =
+    new Traverse[SortedMap[K, *]] with FlatMap[SortedMap[K, *]] with Align[SortedMap[K, *]] {
 
       implicit val orderingK: Ordering[K] = Order[K].toOrdering
 
@@ -109,6 +113,27 @@ trait SortedMapInstances extends SortedMapInstances2 {
 
       override def collectFirstSome[A, B](fa: SortedMap[K, A])(f: A => Option[B]): Option[B] =
         collectFirst(fa)(Function.unlift(f))
+
+      def functor: Functor[SortedMap[K, *]] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: SortedMap[K, A], fb: SortedMap[K, B]): SortedMap[K, Ior[A, B]] =
+        alignWith(fa, fb)(identity)
+
+      override def alignWith[A, B, C](fa: SortedMap[K, A], fb: SortedMap[K, B])(f: Ior[A, B] => C): SortedMap[K, C] = {
+        val keys = fa.keySet ++ fb.keySet
+        val builder = SortedMap.newBuilder[K, C]
+        builder.sizeHint(keys.size)
+        keys
+          .foldLeft(builder) { (builder, k) =>
+            (fa.get(k), fb.get(k)) match {
+              case (Some(a), Some(b)) => builder += k -> f(Ior.both(a, b))
+              case (Some(a), None)    => builder += k -> f(Ior.left(a))
+              case (None, Some(b))    => builder += k -> f(Ior.right(b))
+              case (None, None)       => ??? // should not happen
+            }
+          }
+          .result()
+      }
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/vector.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/vector.scala
index 107efceca8..6f29488f8d 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/vector.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/instances/vector.scala
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ import cats.syntax.show._
 import scala.annotation.tailrec
 import scala.collection.+:
 import scala.collection.immutable.VectorBuilder
+import cats.data.Ior
 
 trait VectorInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.VectorInstances {
   implicit val catsStdInstancesForVector
-    : Traverse[Vector] with Monad[Vector] with Alternative[Vector] with CoflatMap[Vector] =
-    new Traverse[Vector] with Monad[Vector] with Alternative[Vector] with CoflatMap[Vector] {
+    : Traverse[Vector] with Monad[Vector] with Alternative[Vector] with CoflatMap[Vector] with Align[Vector] =
+    new Traverse[Vector] with Monad[Vector] with Alternative[Vector] with CoflatMap[Vector] with Align[Vector] {
 
       def empty[A]: Vector[A] = Vector.empty[A]
 
@@ -110,6 +111,17 @@ trait VectorInstances extends cats.kernel.instances.VectorInstances {
 
       override def algebra[A]: Monoid[Vector[A]] = new kernel.instances.VectorMonoid[A]
 
+      def functor: Functor[Vector] = this
+
+      def align[A, B](fa: Vector[A], fb: Vector[B]): Vector[A Ior B] = {
+        val aLarger = fa.size >= fb.size
+        if (aLarger) {
+          cats.compat.Vector.zipWith(fa, fb)(Ior.both) ++ fa.drop(fb.size).map(Ior.left)
+        } else {
+          cats.compat.Vector.zipWith(fa, fb)(Ior.both) ++ fb.drop(fa.size).map(Ior.right)
+        }
+      }
+
       override def collectFirst[A, B](fa: Vector[A])(pf: PartialFunction[A, B]): Option[B] = fa.collectFirst(pf)
 
       override def collectFirstSome[A, B](fa: Vector[A])(f: A => Option[B]): Option[B] =
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/align.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/align.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bd41650f42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/align.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+package cats
+package syntax
+
+trait AlignSyntax extends Align.ToAlignOps
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/all.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/all.scala
index 2b19d210e9..e93083fe37 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/all.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/all.scala
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ abstract class AllSyntaxBinCompat
 
 trait AllSyntax
     extends AlternativeSyntax
+    with AlignSyntax
     with ApplicativeSyntax
     with ApplicativeErrorSyntax
     with ApplySyntax
diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/package.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/package.scala
index a6aa644a67..595573dce4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/package.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/syntax/package.scala
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package cats
 
 package object syntax {
+  object align extends AlignSyntax
   object all extends AllSyntaxBinCompat
   object alternative extends AlternativeSyntax
   object applicative extends ApplicativeSyntax
diff --git a/laws/src/main/scala/cats/laws/AlignLaws.scala b/laws/src/main/scala/cats/laws/AlignLaws.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..590a11fb79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/laws/src/main/scala/cats/laws/AlignLaws.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package cats
+package laws
+
+import cats.syntax.align._
+import cats.syntax.functor._
+
+import cats.data.Ior
+import cats.data.Ior.{Both, Left, Right}
+
+/**
+ * Laws that must be obeyed by any `Align`.
+ */
+trait AlignLaws[F[_]] {
+  implicit def F: Align[F]
+
+  implicit val functor: Functor[F] = F.functor
+
+  def alignAssociativity[A, B, C](fa: F[A], fb: F[B], fc: F[C]): IsEq[F[Ior[Ior[A, B], C]]] =
+    fa.align(fb).align(fc) <-> fa.align(fb.align(fc)).map(assoc)
+
+  def alignHomomorphism[A, B, C, D](fa: F[A], fb: F[B], f: A => C, g: B => D): IsEq[F[Ior[C, D]]] =
+    fa.map(f).align(fb.map(g)) <-> fa.align(fb).map(_.bimap(f, g))
+
+  def alignWithConsistent[A, B, C](fa: F[A], fb: F[B], f: A Ior B => C): IsEq[F[C]] =
+    fa.alignWith(fb)(f) <-> fa.align(fb).map(f)
+
+  private def assoc[A, B, C](x: Ior[A, Ior[B, C]]): Ior[Ior[A, B], C] = x match {
+    case Left(a) => Left(Left(a))
+    case Right(bc) =>
+      bc match {
+        case Left(b)    => Left(Right(b))
+        case Right(c)   => Right(c)
+        case Both(b, c) => Both(Right(b), c)
+      }
+    case Both(a, bc) =>
+      bc match {
+        case Left(b)    => Left(Both(a, b))
+        case Right(c)   => Both(Left(a), c)
+        case Both(b, c) => Both(Both(a, b), c)
+      }
+  }
+}
+
+object AlignLaws {
+  def apply[F[_]](implicit ev: Align[F]): AlignLaws[F] =
+    new AlignLaws[F] { def F: Align[F] = ev }
+}
diff --git a/laws/src/main/scala/cats/laws/discipline/AlignTests.scala b/laws/src/main/scala/cats/laws/discipline/AlignTests.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8d35bb3acf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/laws/src/main/scala/cats/laws/discipline/AlignTests.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package cats
+package laws
+package discipline
+
+import org.scalacheck.{Arbitrary, Cogen, Prop}
+import Prop._
+
+import cats.data.Ior
+import org.typelevel.discipline.Laws
+
+trait AlignTests[F[_]] extends Laws {
+  def laws: AlignLaws[F]
+
+  def align[A: Arbitrary, B: Arbitrary, C: Arbitrary, D: Arbitrary](
+    implicit ArbFA: Arbitrary[F[A]],
+    ArbFB: Arbitrary[F[B]],
+    ArbFC: Arbitrary[F[C]],
+    ArbFAtoB: Arbitrary[A => C],
+    ArbFBtoC: Arbitrary[B => D],
+    ArbIorABtoC: Arbitrary[A Ior B => C],
+    CogenA: Cogen[A],
+    CogenB: Cogen[B],
+    CogenC: Cogen[C],
+    EqFA: Eq[F[A]],
+    EqFB: Eq[F[B]],
+    EqFC: Eq[F[C]],
+    EqFIorAA: Eq[F[A Ior A]],
+    EqFIorAB: Eq[F[A Ior B]],
+    EqFIorCD: Eq[F[C Ior D]],
+    EqFAssoc: Eq[F[Ior[Ior[A, B], C]]]
+  ): RuleSet =
+    new DefaultRuleSet(name = "align",
+                       parent = None,
+                       "align associativity" -> forAll(laws.alignAssociativity[A, B, C] _),
+                       "align homomorphism" -> forAll { (fa: F[A], fb: F[B], f: A => C, g: B => D) =>
+                         laws.alignHomomorphism[A, B, C, D](fa, fb, f, g)
+                       },
+                       "alignWith consistent" -> forAll { (fa: F[A], fb: F[B], f: A Ior B => C) =>
+                         laws.alignWithConsistent[A, B, C](fa, fb, f)
+                       })
+}
+
+object AlignTests {
+  def apply[F[_]: Align]: AlignTests[F] =
+    new AlignTests[F] { def laws: AlignLaws[F] = AlignLaws[F] }
+}
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/LazyListSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/LazyListSuite.scala
index b8d56f6f10..3da64533d3 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/LazyListSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/LazyListSuite.scala
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cats
 package tests
 
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   AlternativeTests,
   CoflatMapTests,
   CommutativeApplyTests,
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ class LazyListSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("LazyList[Int]", TraverseFilterTests[LazyList].traverseFilter[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("TraverseFilter[LazyList]", SerializableTests.serializable(TraverseFilter[LazyList]))
 
+  checkAll("LazyList[Int]", AlignTests[LazyList].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[LazyList]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[LazyList]))
+
   // Can't test applicative laws as they don't terminate
   checkAll("ZipLazyList[Int]", CommutativeApplyTests[ZipLazyList].apply[Int, Int, Int])
 
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/NonEmptyLazyListSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/NonEmptyLazyListSuite.scala
index 26edbf10cd..2468af0aa3 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/NonEmptyLazyListSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala-2.13+/cats/tests/NonEmptyLazyListSuite.scala
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ package tests
 
 import cats.data.NonEmptyLazyList
 import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{EqTests, HashTests, OrderTests, PartialOrderTests, SemigroupTests}
-import cats.laws.discipline.{BimonadTests, NonEmptyTraverseTests, SemigroupKTests, SerializableTests}
+import cats.laws.discipline.{AlignTests, BimonadTests, NonEmptyTraverseTests, SemigroupKTests, SerializableTests}
 import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
 
 class NonEmptyLazyListSuite extends CatsSuite {
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ class NonEmptyLazyListSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("NonEmptyLazyList[Int]", OrderTests[NonEmptyLazyList[Int]].order)
   checkAll("Order[NonEmptyLazyList[Int]", SerializableTests.serializable(Order[NonEmptyLazyList[Int]]))
 
+  checkAll("NonEmptyLazyList[Int]", AlignTests[NonEmptyLazyList].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[NonEmptyLazyList]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[NonEmptyLazyList]))
+
   test("show") {
     Show[NonEmptyLazyList[Int]].show(NonEmptyLazyList(1, 2, 3)) should ===("NonEmptyLazyList(1, ?)")
   }
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/AlignSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/AlignSuite.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..167bc0e760
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/AlignSuite.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+package cats.tests
+
+import cats.Align
+import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.SemigroupTests
+
+class AlignSuite extends CatsSuite {
+  {
+    val optionSemigroup = Align.semigroup[Option, Int]
+    checkAll("Align[Option].semigroup", SemigroupTests[Option[Int]](optionSemigroup).semigroup)
+
+    val listSemigroup = Align.semigroup[List, String]
+    checkAll("Align[List].semigroup", SemigroupTests[List[String]](listSemigroup).semigroup)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ApplicativeSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ApplicativeSuite.scala
index e500697cfb..d85e050038 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ApplicativeSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ApplicativeSuite.scala
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{MonoidTests, SemigroupTests}
 import cats.data.{Const, Validated}
 import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
 import cats.laws.discipline.CoflatMapTests
+import cats.laws.discipline.AlignTests
 
 class ApplicativeSuite extends CatsSuite {
 
@@ -59,6 +60,15 @@ class ApplicativeSuite extends CatsSuite {
 
     implicit val constCoflatMap = Applicative.coflatMap[Const[String, *]]
     checkAll("Applicative[Const].coflatMap", CoflatMapTests[Const[String, *]].coflatMap[String, String, String])
+
+    implicit val listwrapperAlign = Apply.align[ListWrapper]
+    checkAll("Apply[ListWrapper].align", AlignTests[ListWrapper].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+
+    implicit val validatedAlign = Apply.align[Validated[String, *]]
+    checkAll("Apply[Validated].align", AlignTests[Validated[String, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+
+    implicit val constAlign = Apply.align[Const[String, *]]
+    checkAll("Apply[Const].align", AlignTests[Const[String, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ChainSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ChainSuite.scala
index ea7de72845..8b77eb6832 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ChainSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ChainSuite.scala
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import cats.data.Chain
 import cats.data.Chain.==:
 import cats.data.Chain.`:==`
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   AlternativeTests,
   CoflatMapTests,
   MonadTests,
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ class ChainSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("Chain[Int]", OrderTests[Chain[Int]].order)
   checkAll("Order[Chain]", SerializableTests.serializable(Order[Chain[Int]]))
 
+  checkAll("Chain[Int]", AlignTests[Chain].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[Chain]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[Chain]))
+
   checkAll("Chain[Int]", TraverseFilterTests[Chain].traverseFilter[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("TraverseFilter[Chain]", SerializableTests.serializable(TraverseFilter[Chain]))
 
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ConstSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ConstSuite.scala
index d7e5477ce9..4427328259 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ConstSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ConstSuite.scala
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ class ConstSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("Const[String, Int]", TraverseFilterTests[Const[String, *]].traverseFilter[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("TraverseFilter[Const[String, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(TraverseFilter[Const[String, *]]))
 
+  checkAll("Const[String, Int]", AlignTests[Const[String, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[Const[String, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[Const[String, *]]))
+
   // Get Apply[Const[C : Semigroup, *]], not Applicative[Const[C : Monoid, *]]
   {
     implicit def nonEmptyListSemigroup[A]: Semigroup[NonEmptyList[A]] = SemigroupK[NonEmptyList].algebra
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/EitherSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/EitherSuite.scala
index 3544434b71..3d6007516d 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/EitherSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/EitherSuite.scala
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import cats.data.{EitherT, NonEmptyChain, NonEmptyList, NonEmptySet, Validated}
 import cats.laws.discipline._
 import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{EqTests, MonoidTests, OrderTests, PartialOrderTests, SemigroupTests}
 import org.scalatest.funsuite.AnyFunSuiteLike
+import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
 
 import scala.util.Try
 
@@ -17,6 +18,9 @@ class EitherSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("Either[Int, Int]", SemigroupalTests[Either[Int, *]].semigroupal[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("Semigroupal[Either[Int, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(Semigroupal[Either[Int, *]]))
 
+  checkAll("Either[Int, Int]", AlignTests[Either[Int, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[Either[Int, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[Either[Int, *]]))
+
   implicit val eq0 = EitherT.catsDataEqForEitherT[Either[Int, *], Int, Int]
 
   checkAll("Either[Int, Int]", MonadErrorTests[Either[Int, *], Int].monadError[Int, Int, Int])
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ListSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ListSuite.scala
index 6dce75d59d..9befc591b2 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ListSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ListSuite.scala
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package tests
 
 import cats.data.{NonEmptyList, ZipList}
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   AlternativeTests,
   CoflatMapTests,
   CommutativeApplyTests,
@@ -35,6 +36,9 @@ class ListSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("List[Int]", TraverseFilterTests[List].traverseFilter[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("TraverseFilter[List]", SerializableTests.serializable(TraverseFilter[List]))
 
+  checkAll("List[Int]", AlignTests[List].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[List]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[List]))
+
   checkAll("ZipList[Int]", CommutativeApplyTests[ZipList].commutativeApply[Int, Int, Int])
 
   test("nel => list => nel returns original nel")(
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/MapSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/MapSuite.scala
index bddf9b5805..5dcf86acfc 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/MapSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/MapSuite.scala
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cats
 package tests
 
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   ComposeTests,
   FlatMapTests,
   FunctorFilterTests,
@@ -35,6 +36,9 @@ class MapSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("Map[Int, Int]", MonoidKTests[Map[Int, *]].monoidK[Int])
   checkAll("MonoidK[Map[Int, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(MonoidK[Map[Int, *]]))
 
+  checkAll("Map[Int, Int]", AlignTests[Map[Int, ?]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[Map]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[Map[Int, ?]]))
+
   test("show isn't empty and is formatted as expected") {
     forAll { (map: Map[Int, String]) =>
       map.show.nonEmpty should ===(true)
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyChainSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyChainSuite.scala
index 2d76aa261b..2107825c12 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyChainSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyChainSuite.scala
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ package tests
 
 import cats.data.{Chain, NonEmptyChain}
 import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{EqTests, OrderTests, PartialOrderTests, SemigroupTests}
-import cats.laws.discipline.{BimonadTests, NonEmptyTraverseTests, SemigroupKTests, SerializableTests}
+import cats.laws.discipline.{AlignTests, BimonadTests, NonEmptyTraverseTests, SemigroupKTests, SerializableTests}
 import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
 
 class NonEmptyChainSuite extends CatsSuite {
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ class NonEmptyChainSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("NonEmptyChain[Int]", OrderTests[NonEmptyChain[Int]].order)
   checkAll("Order[NonEmptyChain[Int]", SerializableTests.serializable(Order[NonEmptyChain[Int]]))
 
+  checkAll("NonEmptyChain[Int]", AlignTests[NonEmptyChain].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[NonEmptyChain]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[NonEmptyChain]))
+
   {
     implicit val partialOrder = ListWrapper.partialOrder[Int]
     checkAll("NonEmptyChain[ListWrapper[Int]]", PartialOrderTests[NonEmptyChain[ListWrapper[Int]]].partialOrder)
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyListSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyListSuite.scala
index b26c6ba674..acfbd5d937 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyListSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyListSuite.scala
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import cats.data.{NonEmptyList, NonEmptyMap, NonEmptySet, NonEmptyVector}
 import cats.data.NonEmptyList.ZipNonEmptyList
 import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   BimonadTests,
   CommutativeApplyTests,
   NonEmptyTraverseTests,
@@ -43,6 +44,9 @@ class NonEmptyListSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("NonEmptyList[ListWrapper[Int]]", EqTests[NonEmptyList[ListWrapper[Int]]].eqv)
   checkAll("Eq[NonEmptyList[ListWrapper[Int]]]", SerializableTests.serializable(Eq[NonEmptyList[ListWrapper[Int]]]))
 
+  checkAll("NonEmptyList[Int]", AlignTests[NonEmptyList].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[NonEmptyList]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[NonEmptyList]))
+
   checkAll("ZipNonEmptyList[Int]", CommutativeApplyTests[ZipNonEmptyList].commutativeApply[Int, Int, Int])
 
   {
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyMapSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyMapSuite.scala
index 2b61a76f02..13be37b594 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyMapSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyMapSuite.scala
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ package tests
 import cats.laws.discipline._
 import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
 import cats.data._
-import cats.kernel.laws.discipline._
+import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{SerializableTests => _, _}
 
 import scala.collection.immutable.SortedMap
 
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ class NonEmptyMapSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("NonEmptyMap[String, Int]", EqTests[NonEmptyMap[String, Int]].eqv)
   checkAll("NonEmptyMap[String, Int]", HashTests[NonEmptyMap[String, Int]].hash)
 
+  checkAll("NonEmptyMap[String, Int]", AlignTests[NonEmptyMap[String, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[NonEmptyMap]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[NonEmptyMap[String, *]]))
+
   test("Show is not empty and is formatted as expected") {
     forAll { (nem: NonEmptyMap[String, Int]) =>
       nem.show.nonEmpty should ===(true)
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyVectorSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyVectorSuite.scala
index 226c809dd0..056aaa69cc 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyVectorSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/NonEmptyVectorSuite.scala
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{EqTests, SemigroupTests}
 
 import cats.data.NonEmptyVector
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   BimonadTests,
   CommutativeApplyTests,
   FoldableTests,
@@ -44,6 +45,9 @@ class NonEmptyVectorSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("NonEmptyVector[Int]", FoldableTests[NonEmptyVector].foldable[Int, Int])
   checkAll("Foldable[NonEmptyVector]", SerializableTests.serializable(Foldable[NonEmptyVector]))
 
+  checkAll("NonEmptyVector[Int]", AlignTests[NonEmptyVector].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[NonEmptyVector]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[NonEmptyVector]))
+
   checkAll("ZipNonEmptyVector[Int]", CommutativeApplyTests[ZipNonEmptyVector].commutativeApply[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("CommutativeApply[ZipNonEmptyVector]", SerializableTests.serializable(CommutativeApply[ZipNonEmptyVector]))
 
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SemigroupKSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SemigroupKSuite.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fa30726f57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SemigroupKSuite.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+package cats.tests
+
+import cats.SemigroupK
+import cats.data.{Chain, Validated}
+import cats.laws.discipline.AlignTests
+import cats.laws.discipline.arbitrary._
+
+class SemigroupKSuite extends CatsSuite {
+  {
+    implicit val listwrapperSemigroupK = ListWrapper.alternative
+    implicit val listwrapperAlign = SemigroupK.align[ListWrapper]
+    checkAll("SemigroupK[ListWrapper].align", AlignTests[ListWrapper].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+
+    implicit val validatedAlign = SemigroupK.align[Validated[String, *]]
+    checkAll("SemigroupK[Validated].align", AlignTests[Validated[String, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+
+    implicit val chainAlign = SemigroupK.align[Chain]
+    checkAll("SemigroupK[Chain].align", AlignTests[Chain].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SortedMapSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SortedMapSuite.scala
index 3fa21a142b..be93029f9f 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SortedMapSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SortedMapSuite.scala
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ package tests
 import cats.kernel.CommutativeMonoid
 import cats.kernel.laws.discipline.{CommutativeMonoidTests, HashTests, MonoidTests}
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   FlatMapTests,
   MonoidKTests,
   SemigroupalTests,
@@ -31,6 +32,9 @@ class SortedMapSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("SortedMap[Int, Int]", TraverseFilterTests[SortedMap[Int, *]].traverseFilter[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("TraverseFilter[SortedMap[Int, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(TraverseFilter[SortedMap[Int, *]]))
 
+  checkAll("SortedMap[Int, Int]", AlignTests[SortedMap[Int, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[SortedMap[Int, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[SortedMap[Int, *]]))
+
   test("show isn't empty and is formatted as expected") {
     forAll { (map: SortedMap[Int, String]) =>
       map.show.nonEmpty should ===(true)
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SyntaxSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SyntaxSuite.scala
index 5374ea4af5..f2d20fa70a 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SyntaxSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/SyntaxSuite.scala
@@ -428,6 +428,23 @@ object SyntaxSuite
     val grouped: SortedMap[B, NonEmptySet[A]] = set.groupByNes(f)
   }
 
+  def testAlign[F[_]: Align, A, B, C]: Unit = {
+    import cats.data.Ior
+    val fa = mock[F[A]]
+    val fb = mock[F[B]]
+    val f = mock[A Ior B => C]
+    val f2 = mock[(Option[A], Option[B]) => C]
+
+    val fab = fa.align(fb)
+    val fc = fa.alignWith(fb)(f)
+
+    val padZipped = fa.padZip(fb)
+    val padZippedWith = fa.padZipWith(fb)(f2)
+
+    implicit val sa = mock[Semigroup[A]]
+    val fa2 = fa.alignCombine(fa)
+  }
+
   def testNonEmptyList[A, B: Order]: Unit = {
     val f = mock[A => B]
     val list = mock[List[A]]
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ValidatedSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ValidatedSuite.scala
index a7bc31cb29..1a27de9dda 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ValidatedSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/ValidatedSuite.scala
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ class ValidatedSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("CommutativeApplicative[Validated[Int, *]]",
            SerializableTests.serializable(CommutativeApplicative[Validated[Int, *]]))
 
+  checkAll("Validated[Int, Int]", AlignTests[Validated[Int, *]].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[Validated[Int, *]]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[Validated[Int, *]]))
+
   {
     implicit val L = ListWrapper.semigroup[String]
     checkAll("Validated[ListWrapper[String], *]", SemigroupKTests[Validated[ListWrapper[String], *]].semigroupK[Int])
diff --git a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/VectorSuite.scala b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/VectorSuite.scala
index 89cd47b60e..51289748d7 100644
--- a/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/VectorSuite.scala
+++ b/tests/src/test/scala/cats/tests/VectorSuite.scala
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package tests
 
 import cats.data.{NonEmptyVector, ZipVector}
 import cats.laws.discipline.{
+  AlignTests,
   AlternativeTests,
   CoflatMapTests,
   CommutativeApplyTests,
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ class VectorSuite extends CatsSuite {
   checkAll("Vector[Int]", TraverseFilterTests[Vector].traverseFilter[Int, Int, Int])
   checkAll("TraverseFilter[Vector]", SerializableTests.serializable(TraverseFilter[Vector]))
 
+  checkAll("Vector[Int]", AlignTests[Vector].align[Int, Int, Int, Int])
+  checkAll("Align[Vector]", SerializableTests.serializable(Align[Vector]))
+
   checkAll("ZipVector[Int]", CommutativeApplyTests[ZipVector].commutativeApply[Int, Int, Int])
 
   test("show") {