Comparison

Directed SmartStart vs MyStart Plus

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

Head to head
About

Directed SmartStart

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
Read full description

Start, locate and control your car from virtually anywhere with your iPhone or Apple watch! "Making the cloud-connected car a reality" - Edmunds.com "Without a doubt, one of the coolest apps I've ever seen" - GIZMODO With the release of its all-new 5th generation Directed SmartStart app, connecting with and controlling your vehicle is easier than ever – including real time status via the updated dashboards, and control via your Apple watch! - Add a Directed SmartStart GPS module to the Directed remote start or security system in your car so you can start, lock and unlock your car from virtually anywhere. You can also locate your car, share its location with your friends or family, and get safety notifications if your Directed SmartStart-protected car is speeding or goes where it's not supposed to go. - For the ultimate connected car experience, install a complete Directed SmartStart Digital System and you’ll also get engine runtime and real time status on your choice of app dashboard. Get notified if your vehicle sets a diagnostic code, or check your fuel, battery, or odometer right in the app! - All 4G LTE GPS modules come with a free 30-day GPS trial so you can check out the cool features right away, and there’s even an option for a year of free Basic service. Step up to Secure service to get 2-way control confirmations or add GPS or Small Fleet & Family for the ultimate in car control and monitoring along with extended warranty and theft protection. The sleek, modern dashboards of Directed SmartStart 5.3 mobile app give you fingertip control over the following features of your installed Viper remote start or security/remote start system: - Lock/arm - Unlock/disarm - Remote car starter - Trunk release - Panic - Aux channels Follow these three simple steps to get Directed SmartStart: 1) Download the free Directed SmartStart app 2) Get a SmartStart system installed in your vehicle 3) Set up your account, and start using your SmartStart system Directed SmartStart also includes Directed Motor Club, providing convenient 24/7 access to our nationwide roadside assistance network. Just press a button in the app to get connected for towing due to breakdown or accidents, or assistance with a dead battery or flat tire. Member roadside assistance is free with Secure or higher level service plans and pre-registration. Even if you don’t sign up, you can use the guest program for the same great service at a fixed cost. Latest features: - Real time status on your favorite dashboard! Check the remote start runtime or whether your doors are locked and more instantly just by opening the app! (digital systems only) - Monitor the battery, odometer, and fuel level in the extended Status page (requires a digital system, some features may not be supported on all vehicles) - Convenient widget for one-touch command execution without needing to open the app first - Start, lock, unlock or locate your car using your Apple watch, or send other commands - Receive alert notifications on your phone and Apple watch - Four user-selectable dashboards and launch page settings – now you can customize the app for the way you use it - Modern dashboard "swipe up to start" feature eliminates accidental remote start commands - Map page integrates GPS and SmartPark features seamlessly – locate your vehicle, or track down where you parked - Manage notifications: Each user can select how they want to receive alerts or other notifications. Choose from push alerts with custom sound effects, email, or SMS (SMS alerts may not be available outside North America)

About

MyStart Plus

Control your vehicle remotely from anywhere in the world. Manage door locks, start or stop the engine, and track its location. Requires specific hardware installation and an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Remote engine start/stop
  • Keyless entry
  • Trunk release
  • Motorized liftgate control
  • Security system arm/disarm
  • GPS location tracking
  • Push notifications
Features
Read full description

MyStart Plus™ ------- HARDWARE PURCHASE REQUIRED FOR USAGE ------- 
 MyStart Plus™ is the fastest, easiest, most versatile and complete telematics system utilizing a smartphone solution to stay connected with your vehicle from anywhere in the world. Using the MyStart Plus™ app, you can control your vehicle doors (Lock/Unlock), remote start or Stop your engine and even find your current vehicle’s location. PROFESSIONNAL INSTALLATION REQUIRED In order to use MyStart Plus™ on your vehicle, a MyStart Plus™ device and compatible remote starter must be installed onto your vehicle. To find an authorized MyStart Plus™ retailer, visit https://mystartplus.com/find-a-dealer.html INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED In order to use the MyStart Plus™ App, it will require a connection to the internet via cellular or WiFi. OPERATING NETWORK 900 MHz wireless network. The system is being operated using the Otodata Wireless Network, which currently covers a a vast territory in Quebec and Ontario. You will be surprised by how fast the system works compared to traditional remote key fob or cellular based car starters. KEY FEATURES • Remote start engine • Remote shutdown engine • Keyless entry access • Trunk release • Open/Close motorized liftgate (if equipped) • Factory or Aftermarket Security system Arming/Disarming • Up to 4 Customizable auxiliary functions • GPS position* • Push notifications for remote starter trouble codes • Push notifications for security alerts • Low battery condition alerts • Current vehicle status, Battery level • Vehicle image selection • PIN Code feature to prevent unauthorized access to the application control screen • Multiple vehicles and users. • 900 MHz wireless network. The system is being operated using the Otodata Wireless Network, which currently covers a a vast territory in Quebec and Ontario.
 *GPS5040 Unit is required for GPS location. REMOTE STARTER COMPATIBILITY MyStart Plus™ is currently compatible with the following brands of remote starter and/or security systems: ADS • iDatastart HCx • iDatastart BMx • iDatastart BZx • iDatastart VWx • ADS-AL-CA • AKX / OEM ASTROSTART • AF-D600 (adapter required) AUTOSTART • ASD200 • ASD600 COMPUSTAR • CM-7XXX • CM-6XXX • CM-900 • FT-xxx-DC • FT-DC2 • FT-DC3 DIRECTED • DBALL 2 • DB3 • 4X10 • 5X10 • DS4+ FORTIN • Evo-All • Evo-One POLARSTART • PRS-13 • PRS-16 STANDALONE MODE • A GPS-5040 unit can be used as a standalone device only to get GPS locate functions. For more details on which product is compatible with MyStart Plus™, visit https://mystartplus.com/find-a-dealer.html 
 APP OWNER’S GUIDE Please consult the "Help section" inside our App for a detailed Owners Guide. SUPPORT URL https://mystartplus.com/support/ © COPYRIGHT © Copyright MyStart Plus™   2020 Automobility Distribution Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Screenshots

Directed SmartStart4 screens
MyStart Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Directed SmartStart at 2.7 against MyStart Plus's 1.0. Directed SmartStart also leads on ratings volume (123 vs 1). MyStart Plus's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 14.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Directed SmartStart holds the better App Store score, 2.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Directed SmartStart has 123 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Directed SmartStart's written reviews are positive against 16% of MyStart Plus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, MyStart Plus every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Directed SmartStart versus MyStart Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDirected SmartStartMyStart Plus
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (123 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews22.0% of reviews — better16.1% of reviews
Number of ratings123 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS14.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size179 MB148 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperDirectedDistribution Automobilite Inc

Customer experience

Directed SmartStart

All ratings123 ratings
Positive39.0%
Neutral10.6%
Negative50.4%
Written reviews132 reviews
Positive22.0%
Neutral11.4%
Negative66.7%

MyStart Plus

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive16.1%
Neutral9.7%
Negative74.2%

Bugs and requests

Directed SmartStart

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Geofencing not working
  • Remote start failures
  • Incorrect vehicle status

Requested features

4 requests
  • Siri/Shortcuts integration
  • Improved status indicators
  • Scheduled remote start
  • Multilingual support

MyStart Plus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Directed SmartStart

No in-app purchases

None

MyStart Plus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Directed SmartStart free?
Directed SmartStart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MyStart Plus free?
MyStart Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Directed SmartStart or MyStart Plus?
Directed SmartStart is rated higher. Directed SmartStart averages 2.7 out of 5 from 123 ratings, while MyStart Plus averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Directed SmartStart or MyStart Plus have ads?
Neither Directed SmartStart nor MyStart Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Directed SmartStart or MyStart Plus?
Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, and MyStart Plus every 2 months. Most recently, Directed SmartStart was updated on September 15, 2026 and MyStart Plus on June 10, 2026.

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