Comparison

DIY SMART KEY vs SmartKey Box

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

Head to head
About

DIY SMART KEY

Transform your traditional remote control systems into smartphone-controlled ones. This app allows you to manage car alarms, motorcycle alarms, home security, and door automation systems directly from your phone via a Bluetooth module.

Highlights
  • Smartphone control for alarms and door automation
  • Supports automotive, motorcycle, and home systems
  • Automatic locking/unlocking based on proximity
  • Compatible with various fixed and learning code systems
  • Bluetooth pairing with I-KEY module
  • Code learning from original remotes
Read full description

The DIY SMART KEY(model# I-KEY, hereby is also called I-KEY module) is designed to upgrade the traditional remote control system into Smartphone control system. Its applicable range is not only for the automotive aftermarket alarm or keyless system, but also for motorcycle alarm system, home alarm system and door automations. The DIY SMART KEY will give you fingertip control over all the identical features of your installed devices(see applicable systems) and for even more convenience, add an I-KEY module to your car or motorcycle alarm system, your car or motorcycle will unlock when it detects your approaching and lock again automatically when you walk away. The applicable systems to add an I-KEY module are as following: For most brands of keyless entry system For aftermarket add-on car alarm system: (1) Hopping code system produced by Micca Auto (2) Most brands of car alarm system coded as following For motorcycle alarm system: (1) Hopping code system produced by Micca Auto (2) Most brands of motorcycle alarm system coded as following For home alarm system coded as following For door automations coded as following More specifically, please see the compatible encoder and frequency of your installed systems as bellows: Encoder: Fixed code: PT2240, PT2260, etc Learning code: EV1527, EV527, etc Factory code: Hopping code of Micca system(By default) Frequency: Range from 300MHz to 868MHz How do you get start with the DIY SMART KEY for a Smartphone control of your device? Just follow these simple steps: Download the free DIY SMART KEY app Pairing the I-KEY module with your Smartphone by Bluetooth with the DIY SMART KEY app Finish code learning of your original remote control to the I-KEY module Put the I-KEY module near to the main unit of your installed systems Start using your DIY SMART KEY FAQs: -If my remote control is for the original factory keyless entry system, can I add an I-KEY module? -Yes, but before that you need to install our upgrade car alarm system model#KE700 and then you could add the I-KEY module to upgrade your original remote control into DIY SMART KEY control. 2. –How long is the connecting distance of the DIY SMART KEY to the device? -The distance is within 30m. 3. –Can I pair the I-KEY module with different devices at the same time? -We’re sorry that for the moment one I-KEY module could only be paired with one device. 4. –Can I add various devices in the same DIY SMART KEY app? - The DIY SMART KEY app can be added with various devices pairing by different I-KEY modules, but the devices couldn’t be used at the same time, you could only choose to control one device. 5. –If there are 2 smart phones in my family, is it possible to connect with the same I-KEY module of our vehicle by 2 smart phones? -Yes, an I-KEY module could be paired at the same with different smart phones, but it can only be controlled by one smart phone in the same time, for example, if one smart phone is connected, the other one won’t be available.

About

SmartKey Box

Control your car's locks, trunk, and panic functions directly from your smartphone. This app connects via Bluetooth to a smart key box, offering a convenient and customizable way to manage vehicle access with various gesture controls.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth connectivity to smart key box
  • Remote lock/unlock vehicle
  • Trunk open function
  • Panic alarm activation
  • Customizable gesture controls (single-click, double-click, press-and-hold)
  • Multiple style options
Features
Read full description

This is a dedicated app developed by Xhorse for car owners, connecting via Bluetooth to Smart Key Box, Bluetooth Digital Smart Key, etc. It allows easy access to Lock/Unlock, Trunk, and Panic functions via your smartphone, offering a user-friendly, convenient experience. Additionally, the app provides multiple styles to suit different preferences, supporting single-click, double-click, and press-and-hold actions.

Screenshots

DIY SMART KEY4 screens
SmartKey Box4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SmartKey Box at fortnightly against DIY SMART KEY's monthly. DIY SMART KEY's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 10.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DIY SMART KEY ships an update monthly, SmartKey Box fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
DIY SMART KEY versus SmartKey Box: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDIY SMART KEYSmartKey Box
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better10.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB181 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer师松 梁Shenzhen XHorse Electronics Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

DIY SMART KEY

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

SmartKey Box

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DIY SMART KEY

No in-app purchases

None

SmartKey Box

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DIY SMART KEY free?
DIY SMART KEY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartKey Box free?
SmartKey Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DIY SMART KEY or SmartKey Box have ads?
Neither DIY SMART KEY nor SmartKey Box shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DIY SMART KEY or SmartKey Box?
DIY SMART KEY ships an update monthly, and SmartKey Box fortnightly. Most recently, DIY SMART KEY was updated on September 30, 2026 and SmartKey Box on October 3, 2026.

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