# Directed SmartStart vs MyCar Controls

The clearest difference is monetization model: MyCar Controls at free against Directed SmartStart's free with in-app purchases. MyCar Controls also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (33% vs 22%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.7 for Directed SmartStart against 2.8 for MyCar Controls. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 123 and 117 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 22% of Directed SmartStart's written reviews are positive against 33% of MyCar Controls's.

Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, MyCar Controls monthly. Both last shipped on September 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Directed SmartStart | MyCar Controls |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (123 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612/reviews) | **[2.8 (117 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mycar-controls/id1126511815/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **123** | 117 |
| Positive reviews | 22.0% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 179 MB | 118 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **9.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Directed](https://appshunter.io/developer/329155615) | [Distribution Automobilite Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1126478871) |

## What reviewers say

### Directed SmartStart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612)

Control your car remotely from your smartphone or smartwatch. Start, lock, unlock, and locate your vehicle, with advanced features like real-time status and safety notifications. Includes roadside assistance access.

**Highlights:** Remote start, lock, unlock, Vehicle location tracking, Real-time vehicle status, Safety notifications (speeding, geofencing), Trunk release and panic button, Roadside assistance access, Apple Watch control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great
- 🔒 Robust security features
- 💡 Convenient remote start
- 🗺️ Useful GPS tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable connectivity
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- ⚠️ Inconsistent performance
- 🕰️ Slow response times

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Geofencing not working
- Remote start failures
- Incorrect vehicle status

**Requested features**

- Siri/Shortcuts integration
- Improved status indicators
- Scheduled remote start
- Multilingual support


### MyCar Controls

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mycar-controls/id1126511815)

This app allows you to remotely control your vehicle's functions, including starting and stopping the engine, locking and unlocking doors, and locating your car. It requires specific hardware to be installed in your vehicle and an internet connection for operation.

**Highlights:** Remote engine start/stop, Remote door lock/unlock, Vehicle GPS location, Trunk release, Motorized liftgate control, Security system arming/disarming, Customizable auxiliary functions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great
- 🔒 Secure remote access
- 💡 Useful features like GPS location and battery status

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- 🔋 Unreliable in cold weather
- 🤯 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after recent update
- Subscription renewal problems
- Inconsistent remote start functionality

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch app integration
- Siri/Shortcuts support
- Customizable app interface


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Directed SmartStart free?

Directed SmartStart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MyCar Controls free?

MyCar Controls is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Directed SmartStart or MyCar Controls?

MyCar Controls is rated higher. Directed SmartStart averages 2.7 out of 5 from 123 ratings, while MyCar Controls averages 2.8 from 117 ratings.

### Do Directed SmartStart or MyCar Controls have ads?

Neither Directed SmartStart nor MyCar Controls shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Directed SmartStart or MyCar Controls?

Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, and MyCar Controls monthly. Most recently, Directed SmartStart was updated on September 15, 2026 and MyCar Controls on September 15, 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.*