# Smart Start Client Portal vs NorthMain

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Start Client Portal | NorthMain |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (114 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-start-client-portal/id1365215627/reviews) | **[3.2 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northmain/id1436284843/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **114** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 138 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Smart Start, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/477200373) | [Thomas Stith II](https://appshunter.io/developer/1436284842) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Start Client Portal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-start-client-portal/id1365215627)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### NorthMain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northmain/id1436284843)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*