Comparison

MyStart Plus vs apiALARM

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MyStart Plus

Control your vehicle remotely from anywhere in the world. Manage door locks, start or stop the engine, and track its location. Requires specific hardware installation and an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Remote engine start/stop
  • Keyless entry
  • Trunk release
  • Motorized liftgate control
  • Security system arm/disarm
  • GPS location tracking
  • Push notifications
Features
Read full description

MyStart Plus™ ------- HARDWARE PURCHASE REQUIRED FOR USAGE ------- 
 MyStart Plus™ is the fastest, easiest, most versatile and complete telematics system utilizing a smartphone solution to stay connected with your vehicle from anywhere in the world. Using the MyStart Plus™ app, you can control your vehicle doors (Lock/Unlock), remote start or Stop your engine and even find your current vehicle’s location. PROFESSIONNAL INSTALLATION REQUIRED In order to use MyStart Plus™ on your vehicle, a MyStart Plus™ device and compatible remote starter must be installed onto your vehicle. To find an authorized MyStart Plus™ retailer, visit https://mystartplus.com/find-a-dealer.html INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED In order to use the MyStart Plus™ App, it will require a connection to the internet via cellular or WiFi. OPERATING NETWORK 900 MHz wireless network. The system is being operated using the Otodata Wireless Network, which currently covers a a vast territory in Quebec and Ontario. You will be surprised by how fast the system works compared to traditional remote key fob or cellular based car starters. KEY FEATURES • Remote start engine • Remote shutdown engine • Keyless entry access • Trunk release • Open/Close motorized liftgate (if equipped) • Factory or Aftermarket Security system Arming/Disarming • Up to 4 Customizable auxiliary functions • GPS position* • Push notifications for remote starter trouble codes • Push notifications for security alerts • Low battery condition alerts • Current vehicle status, Battery level • Vehicle image selection • PIN Code feature to prevent unauthorized access to the application control screen • Multiple vehicles and users. • 900 MHz wireless network. The system is being operated using the Otodata Wireless Network, which currently covers a a vast territory in Quebec and Ontario.
 *GPS5040 Unit is required for GPS location. REMOTE STARTER COMPATIBILITY MyStart Plus™ is currently compatible with the following brands of remote starter and/or security systems: ADS • iDatastart HCx • iDatastart BMx • iDatastart BZx • iDatastart VWx • ADS-AL-CA • AKX / OEM ASTROSTART • AF-D600 (adapter required) AUTOSTART • ASD200 • ASD600 COMPUSTAR • CM-7XXX • CM-6XXX • CM-900 • FT-xxx-DC • FT-DC2 • FT-DC3 DIRECTED • DBALL 2 • DB3 • 4X10 • 5X10 • DS4+ FORTIN • Evo-All • Evo-One POLARSTART • PRS-13 • PRS-16 STANDALONE MODE • A GPS-5040 unit can be used as a standalone device only to get GPS locate functions. For more details on which product is compatible with MyStart Plus™, visit https://mystartplus.com/find-a-dealer.html 
 APP OWNER’S GUIDE Please consult the "Help section" inside our App for a detailed Owners Guide. SUPPORT URL https://mystartplus.com/support/ © COPYRIGHT © Copyright MyStart Plus™   2020 Automobility Distribution Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About

apiALARM

Manage your home or business security, locks, lights, and video cameras from a single application. Receive intelligent alerts, view live video feeds, and automate daily routines for comprehensive protection against crime, fire, and environmental hazards.

Highlights
  • Remote property control
  • Intelligent alerts & live video
  • Automate security routines
  • Control locks and lights
  • Two-way audio via doorbell camera
  • Manage multiple business locations
  • Respond to alarm events
Features
Read full description

Keep your home or business connected, protected and one step ahead with a.p.i. ALARM'S mobile app. Connect your security, locks, lights, video cameras and more through a single app that protects you from crime, fire, carbon monoxide and even water damage. One app for your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch makes it easy to: * Remotely control your entire property * Know what’s going on with intelligent alerts and live video feeds * Automate your daily security routine and other repetitive tasks apiALARM is fully supported on your Apple Watch. So, accessing your system is as easy as checking the time. Note: apiALARM requires a compatible system and an interactive a.p.i. ALARM service plan. Feature availability varies based on system, equipment and specific service plan. Visit apialarm.com for more information. Some of apiALARM’s Home Features: * Control your security panel, locks and lights from anywhere * Receive customizable alerts when people arrive and leave or when there’s unexpected activity * Watch live and recorded video from your cameras * Talk to visitors through your doorbell camera and unlock your door Some of apiALARM’s Business Features: * Arm/disarm your security panel across multiple locations * Receive alerts if a location opens late or an employee access a restricted area * Video alerts based on specific types of activity * Automate lights, locks and thermostats * Track and manage access to multiple locations * Buzz open access controlled doors * Respond to alarm events and alert emergency personnel

Screenshots

MyStart Plus4 screens
apiALARM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: apiALARM at 4.7 against MyStart Plus's 1.0. apiALARM also leads on ratings volume (15 vs 1) and review sentiment (28% vs 16%). MyStart Plus's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

apiALARM holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: apiALARM has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of MyStart Plus's written reviews are positive against 28% of apiALARM's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MyStart Plus versus apiALARM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMyStart PlusapiALARM
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.7 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.1% of reviews27.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings115 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS9.3 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size148 MB375 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAutomobility Distributiona.p.i. ALARM Inc.

Customer experience

MyStart Plus

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive16.1%
Neutral9.7%
Negative74.2%

apiALARM

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive27.8%
Neutral2.8%
Negative69.4%

In-app purchases

None

MyStart Plus

No in-app purchases

None

apiALARM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MyStart Plus free?
MyStart Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is apiALARM free?
apiALARM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MyStart Plus or apiALARM?
apiALARM is rated higher. MyStart Plus averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while apiALARM averages 4.7 from 15 ratings.
Do MyStart Plus or apiALARM have ads?
Neither MyStart Plus nor apiALARM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MyStart Plus or apiALARM?
MyStart Plus ships an update every 2 months, and apiALARM every 2 months. Most recently, MyStart Plus was updated on November 6, 2026 and apiALARM on November 4, 2026.

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