Comparison

Smart Start Client Portal vs NorthMain

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

Head to head
About

Smart Start Client Portal

Manage your alcohol monitoring account conveniently from your phone. Make payments, purchase unlock codes, find service centers, and update your profile. New users can enroll and prepare for installation appointments.

Highlights
  • Make payments
  • Purchase unlock codes
  • Find service centers
  • Manage auto payments
  • Upload documents
  • Schedule installations
  • View payment history
Read full description

Smart Start now offers a convenient, easy-to-use app that allows you to create or manage your alcohol monitoring account directly from your phone! Make a payment, purchase an unlock code, find a service center nearby, or even become a Smart Start client in minutes. Whether you use the Ignition Interlock Device or the SMART Mobile device, you can manage your account right from the app. Existing Clients Stay in control of all of your accounts from anywhere! With the full range of account management tools, the Smart Start Client Portal makes it easy to stay on top of your alcohol monitoring account and your continued success with your device. •Make a payment •Add or delete payment methods •View payment history •Purchase an unlock code •Manage auto payment •Add a note to your account •Upload documents to your account •Update account/profile information •Receive account notifications •Manage communication preferences (newsletters, special offers, updates, etc.) •Add additional accounts (Ignition Interlock, SMART Mobile) New Clients Not a Smart Start client? The Client Portal app makes it easy to enroll and can even save you time at your installation appointment! Using the app, you can schedule an installation appointment, fill out any required forms, upload any required documents, and even review the training material all before your appointment! •Select a date and time for the installation •Pick a convenient installation location •Set up installation appointment reminders via email, text or phone •Upload required documents •Watch helpful training videos

About

NorthMain

Access and monitor your bond case details and status changes in real-time. View bond lists, specific bond information, and receive instant notifications. The app facilitates communication with the bail bond company and allows for check-ins via photo.

Highlights
  • View bond case list
  • Access specific bond details
  • Direct contact with office
  • Photo check-in functionality
  • Instant push notifications
  • Facilitates client-company communication
Features
Read full description

The application was created to ensure that our clients have constant access to their bond case details and are aware of any changes that occur on their status. From the application users are able to: View the list of their bonds View the details of each specific bond Contact the office right from the application and get instant help or advice if needed Check in from the phone taking a picture of themselves Get instant push notifications from the bail bond company We tend to facilitate communication between our clients and company as much as possible. Now our users can always be aware of the latest events occurred and be sure that we are always here to help.

Screenshots

Smart Start Client Portal4 screens
NorthMain2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NorthMain at 100% against Smart Start Client Portal's 20%. NorthMain also leads on rating (3.2 vs 2.0) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Smart Start Client Portal's advantage is ratings volume (114 vs 11). 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

NorthMain holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Start Client Portal has 114 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Smart Start Client Portal's written reviews are positive against 100% of NorthMain's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart Start Client Portal ships an update every 6 weeks, NorthMain every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Smart Start Client Portal versus NorthMain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart Start Client PortalNorthMain
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (114 ratings)3.2 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings114 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size138 MB35 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperSmart Start, IncThomas Stith II

Customer experience

Smart Start Client Portal

All ratings113 ratings
Positive21.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative73.5%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

NorthMain

All ratings11 ratings
Positive45.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Smart Start Client Portal

No in-app purchases

None

NorthMain

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smart Start Client Portal free?
Smart Start Client Portal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NorthMain free?
NorthMain is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Smart Start Client Portal or NorthMain?
NorthMain is rated higher. Smart Start Client Portal averages 2.0 out of 5 from 114 ratings, while NorthMain averages 3.2 from 11 ratings.
Do Smart Start Client Portal or NorthMain have ads?
Neither Smart Start Client Portal nor NorthMain shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart Start Client Portal or NorthMain?
Smart Start Client Portal ships an update every 6 weeks, and NorthMain every 2 months. Most recently, Smart Start Client Portal was updated on October 26, 2026 and NorthMain on October 24, 2026.

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