Comparison

THINKWARE CONNECTED vs DirectLoader

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

Head to head
About

THINKWARE CONNECTED

This app connects to compatible dash cams, offering real-time vehicle monitoring and alerts. It provides features like remote live view, impact notifications with video playback, and vehicle location tracking. Users can also review driving history and update dash cam firmware remotely.

Highlights
  • Remote Live View
  • Real-time Parking Impact Video
  • Real-time Vehicle Location
  • Captured Image of Most Recent Parking
  • Vehicle Status Monitoring
  • Driving History Review
  • Remote Firmware Updates
Features
Read full description

*This app is only compatible with THINKWARE dash cams. A smarter connected experience with 4G LTE Connectivity. THINKWARE CONNECTED, our newly updated and improved mobile app, offers a wide range of smart features. Now you can truly communicate with your vehicle in real-time seamlessly. Receive impact notifications, play videos (strong impact crash in continuous recording mode, parking impact), view captured image of most recent parking, and monitor your vehicle status and driving history on your mobile. FEATURES : ■ REMOTE LIVE VIEW Remotely view your vehicle in both Continuous Mode and Parking Mode. Click on Live View button on your smartphone app to view a real-time video of your vehicle. ■ REAL-TIME PARKING IMPACT VIDEO In parking mode, you can immediately detect an impact with the dash cam. Receive impact notification and play video of impact on your smartphone with Smart Remote feature. Upon user consent, a 20 seconds Full-HD video (10 seconds before and after the incident) is uploaded on the server. ■ REAL-TIME VEHICLE LOCATION You can check the real-time location of the vehicle in Continuous Mode and Parking Mode. ■ CAPTURED IMAGE OF MOST RECENT PARKING When your vehicle is parked, check the location of your vehicle and its surroundings. On your smartphone, you can receive a Full-HD image of your front camera including the location of your parked vehicle. ■ VEHICLE STATUS Monitor your vehicle’s status to check whether your vehicle is parked or operating on the road. Check your vehicle battery voltage and remotely turn off the dash cam when the battery voltage is low. ■ DRIVING HISTORY View your driving history including data such as date, time, distance, route and driving behavior. ■ REMOTE FIRMWARE DATA UPDATE Update your dash cam remotely to enhance your dash cam’s features, maintain optimal operation and increase stability. Conveniently upgrade your firmware and speed cam data to the latest version on your smartphone. ■ SEND EMERGENCY MESSAGE In case of emergency situations, register the contact details of your family, friend or associate. A SOS message will be transmitted to your emergency contact in the event of a strong impact crash or when the driver presses the SOS button on the dash cam to urgently request for help. ■ DOWNLOAD AND SHARE THE EVENT LOCATION AND RECORDED VIDEO You can download the impact video to your smartphone and share the video with the accident location. ■ FLEET MANAGEMENT SERVICE Connect your dash cam with fleet management for efficient vehicle operation. Supports features such as location check, route monitoring, and driving behavior analysis. ■ SERVICE EXTENSION Once you have used up the initial 5 years of service, you can continue enjoying the service by purchasing an additional plan. We provide flexible options so you can extend your use without interruption. Supported Models: U3000 / U1000 PLUS / Q1000 / Q850 / T700 ■ Basic & Premium PLANS Two new plans are available for new LTE dashcams. The Basic plan covers essential features with the option to extend the service, while the Premium plan offers advanced functions and enhanced specs with monthly or yearly plans to match your usage patterns. Supported Models: U3000PRO ※ To use this service, allow the following permissions. ▶ Required permissions - Storage: Used to download impact videos and parking images of your vehicle - Location: Used to find your location and your parking location, as well as to receive weather information - Phone: Used to identify your purchase, provide support for your purchased product, and provide emergency contact when you have an accident. Your phone number will be collected, encrypted, and securely stored on our server. * You can use this service even if you do not allow optional permissions. * Continuous background use of GPS will drain the battery faster.

About

DirectLoader

This app allows authorized installers to wirelessly flash and program select remote start and security systems. It provides access to vehicle wiring databases, installation guides, and technical updates for DIRECTED by VOXX products.

Highlights
  • Wireless flashing for DS4/DS4+ modules
  • Wired/Wireless flashing for DBALL2, DB3, DS3/DS3+ modules
  • Wired/Wireless 'Bitwriter' programming
  • DirectWire vehicle wiring database access
  • Installation guides and technical news
  • SmartStart activation
Features
Read full description

DirectLoader App – Wirelessly flash and program select DIRECTED by VOXX Remote Start & Security systems. “For Installers, By Installers” At DIRECTECHS, our motto is “For Installers, By Installers.” We are committed to supporting installation technicians with our decades of technical experience, unrivaled passion, and dedication to the industry. Note: This app is intended for use only by authorized DIRECTED by VOXX Dealers and Distributors. Login credentials are required to access DIRECTECHS resources, which include the DirectWire vehicle wiring and information database, installation guides, online training, tech tips, and much more. With the DirectLoader APP, along with the DLOADER4, you can flash and program our analog and digital products, including many legacy products, along with mobile access to the following features and functions: • Wirelessly flash DS4/DS4+ modules (DLOADER4 not required) • Wired/Wireless flashing for DBALL2, DB3, DS3/DS3+ modules (DLOADER4 required) • Wired/Wireless ‘Bitwriter’ programming for supported analog systems (DLOADER4 required) • DirectWire Access • Installation Guides • Technical News Alerts and ‘Vehicles Added’ updates • DIRECTED by VOXX SmartStart Activation

Screenshots

THINKWARE CONNECTED4 screens
DirectLoader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DirectLoader at 3.4 against THINKWARE CONNECTED's 2.4. DirectLoader also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and review sentiment (50% vs 15%). THINKWARE CONNECTED's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume and ads 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. THINKWARE CONNECTED sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. DirectLoader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DirectLoader holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of THINKWARE CONNECTED's written reviews are positive against 50% of DirectLoader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

THINKWARE CONNECTED ships an update fortnightly, DirectLoader every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
THINKWARE CONNECTED versus DirectLoader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTHINKWARE CONNECTEDDirectLoader
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (5 ratings)3.4 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.1% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings55
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB23 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperTHINKWARE SYSTEMS CORPORATIONVOXX Electronics Corp

Customer experience

THINKWARE CONNECTED

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive15.1%
Neutral5.7%
Negative79.2%

DirectLoader

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

THINKWARE CONNECTED

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App does not connect
  • Barcode scanning is blurry or doesn't work
  • Serial number entry fails
  • Cannot register device
  • App disconnects after a few minutes
Show 8 more
  • Cannot connect to car hotspot
  • Server-side errors during account creation
  • App disconnects after 5 seconds
  • Login issues (won't let user in)
  • Camera not accessible even when connected to WiFi
  • Live view metered but not sending footage
  • Camera doesn't auto-connect to home network
  • App crashes or shows error messages

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add dark mode
  • Request live view
  • Show battery percentage
  • Add radar health check
  • Improve app connectivity
Show 3 more
  • Make app more intuitive
  • Provide comprehensive tutorials
  • Reconcile and optimize app mess

DirectLoader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

THINKWARE CONNECTED

One-time10
  • LTE BASIC (1 Month)$3.49
  • LTE PREMIUM (1 Month)$6.90
  • LTE EXTENDED (1 Month)$6.90
Show 7 more
  • Wi-Fi EXTENDED (1 Month)$6.90
  • LTE PREMIUM (1 Month)$8.90
  • LTE BASIC (1 Year)$34.99
  • LTE PREMIUM (1 Year)$69.00
  • LTE EXTENDED (1 Year)$69.00
  • Wi-Fi EXTENDED (1 Year)$69.00
  • LTE PREMIUM (1 Year)$89.00
None

DirectLoader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is THINKWARE CONNECTED free?
THINKWARE CONNECTED is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DirectLoader free?
DirectLoader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, THINKWARE CONNECTED or DirectLoader?
DirectLoader is rated higher. THINKWARE CONNECTED averages 2.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while DirectLoader averages 3.4 from 5 ratings.
Do THINKWARE CONNECTED or DirectLoader have ads?
Neither THINKWARE CONNECTED nor DirectLoader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, THINKWARE CONNECTED or DirectLoader?
THINKWARE CONNECTED ships an update fortnightly, and DirectLoader every 3 months. Most recently, THINKWARE CONNECTED was updated on September 23, 2026 and DirectLoader on September 24, 2026.

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