BI SmartLINK vs CBP Home
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BI SmartLINK
This app provides a suite of tools for individuals under community supervision. It enhances case management with features like appointment calendaring and connects users to vital community resources to support successful program completion.
- Secure communications tools
- Appointment calendaring
- Community resource connection
- Case management enhancement
- Program completion support
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BI SmartLINK is a suite of software and secure communications tools designed to be placed on a smartphone owned by a person under community supervision. The application enhances supervision and case management capabilities and increases the potential for successful program completion by providing valuable services such as calendaring appointments and connecting the client to community resources. Disclaimer: "Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life."
CBP Home
This app offers a free, safe, and supportive way for eligible individuals to voluntarily return to their home countries. It provides financial assistance, departure support, and timely travel arrangements for a respectful departure process.
- Voluntary self-departure submission
- Financial assistance for return
- Departure ticket booking
- Travel documentation assistance
- Timely departure arrangements
- Respectful departure process
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The CBP Home mobile app is intended for use by aliens illegally in the United States to submit their intent to depart. Using the CBP Home app is FREE and provides a safe, orderly, and supportive alternative for eligible aliens to voluntarily return to their home countries. This program prioritizes assistance and flexibility, ensuring a respectful and dignified departure process without arrest, detention, or restraints. Key Benefits: • Financial Assistance: Eligible individuals who register for voluntary self-departure through the CBP Home app may receive financial assistance to support their return. An exit bonus will be provided upon confirmation of departure from the United States. • Departure Assistance: The U. S. Government will assist with booking tickets and/or obtaining necessary travel documentation. • Timely Departure Arrangements: Individuals requesting assistance will have their departure facilitated in a timely manner. To ensure a smooth process, please provide accurate contact information and promptly respond to any outreach attempts. CBP Home provides a pathway for a voluntary, supported, and respectful return to your home country.
Screenshots
Verdict
BI SmartLINK and CBP Home both sit at 2.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 24% of CBP Home's written reviews are positive against 11% of BI SmartLINK's. CBP Home also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). BI SmartLINK's advantage is ratings volume (718 vs 128). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.8 for BI SmartLINK against 2.8 for CBP Home. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BI SmartLINK has 718 ratings behind it against 128, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 11% of BI SmartLINK's written reviews are positive against 24% of CBP Home's.
BI SmartLINK ships an update every 5 weeks, CBP Home every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BI SmartLINK | CBP Home |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (718 ratings) — better | 2.8 (128 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 10.7% of reviews | 23.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 718 — better | 128 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 158 MB | 172 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BI Incorporated | US Customs and Border Protection |
Customer experience
BI SmartLINK
CBP Home
User reviews
BI SmartLINK
From 718 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Monitoring feature is better than ankle monitor
- 🚀 App works well when it functions properly
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and malfunctions
- 🔒 Security concerns with potential hacking
- 👎 Inconvenient and stigmatizing design of monitoring device
- 🔋 Monitoring device requires frequent replacement
CBP Home
From 128 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Innovative features
Room to improve
- 🐛 App crashes
- 🔍 Concerns about privacy and surveillance
- 👎 Poorly implemented
Bugs and requests
BI SmartLINK
Reported bugs
3 issues- App not opening or logging in
- Issues with camera and photo capture
- Inconsistent app behavior and functionality
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to upload documents and photos directly from library
- Improved biometric login and face recognition
- More reliable notification system
- Better user interface and usability
CBP Home
Reported bugs
2 issues- Camera not loading properly
- Registration process issues
Requested features
2 requests- Improve app stability and reliability
- Prioritize voluntary exit over forced deportation
In-app purchases
BI SmartLINK
No in-app purchases
CBP Home
No in-app purchases
