Comparison

SmartKey Box vs Autel Link

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

Head to head
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.

About

Autel Link

Manage your automotive smart key and fitness data with this companion app. It allows for easy vehicle key programming, tracks workouts, monitors health metrics, and syncs with a compatible smartwatch.

Highlights
  • Vehicle key programming
  • Workout data tracking
  • Health monitoring (heart rate, SpO2, sleep)
  • Smartwatch app management
  • VIN purchase for expanded support
Features
Read full description

Autel Link is a management app for the OTOFIX WATCH, which is primarily used to activate vehicle key function of the watch. The OTOFIX WATCH is a programmable smart watch that integrates the functions of an automotive smart key and a smart watch. With Autel Link, you can duplicate the functions of your existing automotive smart key to control your vehicle on the OTOFIX WATCH or via the app. 1. Easy programming: adding your 3rd vehicle key easily Autel Link with VCI provides easy programming for your OTOFIX WATCH, supporting 80% of mainstream smart key-equipped models. 2. Workout records: recording your workout data In combination with the OTOFIX WATCH, Autel Link accurately records your workout data such as trajectory, distance and pace. 3. Health management: monitoring your heart rate, SpO2, sleep, etc. With OTOFIX WATCH data access, Autel Link renders your real-time health data such as heart rate, SpO2, sleep, etc. 4. Connection with OTOFIX WATCH: acting as your watch manager After pairing with the OTOFIX WATCH, Autel Link allows management of the apps on the watch such as Face Gallery, Alarm, Contacts, Weather and Vehicle Key. 5. VIN purchase: increasing the number of VINs Autel Link provides VIN purchase, allowing you to increase the number of VINs supported by your OTOFIX WATCH.

Screenshots

SmartKey Box4 screens
Autel Link4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SmartKey Box at 5.0 against Autel Link's 2.7. SmartKey Box also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10). Autel Link's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Autel Link sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. SmartKey Box asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmartKey Box holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartKey Box ships an update fortnightly, Autel Link every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and August 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SmartKey Box versus Autel Link: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartKey BoxAutel Link
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better2.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.010.0
Further details — not scored
Size181 MB151 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShenzhen XHorse Electronics Co., Ltd.Autel Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

SmartKey Box

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

Autel Link

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative80.0%

In-app purchases

None

SmartKey Box

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Autel Link

One-time6
  • 1VIN$13.99
  • 1VIN2 variants$14.99
  • 3VIN$36.99
Show 3 more
  • 3VIN2 variants$39.99
  • 5VIN$54.99
  • 5VIN3 variants$59.99

Questions

Is SmartKey Box free?
SmartKey Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Autel Link free?
Autel Link is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SmartKey Box or Autel Link?
SmartKey Box is rated higher. SmartKey Box averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Autel Link averages 2.7 from 3 ratings.
Do SmartKey Box or Autel Link have ads?
Neither SmartKey Box nor Autel Link shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartKey Box or Autel Link?
SmartKey Box ships an update fortnightly, and Autel Link every 3 weeks. Most recently, SmartKey Box was updated on September 16, 2026 and Autel Link on August 18, 2026.

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