Comparison

Directed SmartStart vs Linkr Mobile

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

Linkr Mobile

Control your vehicle remotely with this app, offering lock, unlock, start, and stop functions. It also allows for system programming and firmware updates for compatible devices. Share vehicle access securely with authorized users.

Highlights
  • Remote vehicle control (lock, unlock, start, stop)
  • System programming menus
  • Firmware updates
  • Secure user sharing
  • Bluetooth direct communication
  • Cabin temperature display
Features
Read full description

NOTE: Compatible LINKR-MBT module AND compatible remote start required - Excalibur 70 series or CrimeStopper G6 series are recommended for full functionality. Vehicle control available with other remote start models. visit https://www.linkrmobile.com for more information LINKR-MBT is the latest edition to Omega’s family of telematics products. It provides no-contract, off-grid, and secure vehicle control with up to 300ft range along with a full suite of remote start configuration tools. Access all user & system configuration menus, and firmware updates from your iOS device with the free companion app, LINKR MOBILE. CONTROL – Lock, unlock, start, stop, trunk pop, and more. Status shows you whether the system is locked or unlocked, Bluetooth signal strength, and even the vehicle’s cabin temp (compatible remote start required). Direct Bluetooth communication ensures control is always available even if cell signal or internet is not! Ideal for hikers, joggers, campers, watersports, and anyone who does not want to have their vehicle keys on them. PROGRAM – No more counting chirps, button presses, or light flashes! System programming menus ensure no-mistake programming and lightning fast access to all system settings while the system is installed and fully functional in the vehicle. UPDATE – Compatible remote start systems can be flashed with any firmware updates while installed in the vehicle. The days of removing a unit flash on a computer are over! SHARING – Easily and securely share vehicle control with anyone you like by simply adding them to your ‘authorized users’ list. They will only be granted control capabilities like door lock, unlock, & remote start. Only the system owner can access system settings and firmware updates. QUICK INSTALL TEST MODE – Installers can control and configure the remote start during installation with quick test mode. As soon as Bluetooth connection is broken, the LINKR-MBT will disappear from the app making it ready for its new owner.

Screenshots

Directed SmartStart4 screens
Linkr Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Linkr Mobile at 4.3 against Directed SmartStart's 2.7. Linkr Mobile also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 22%) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Directed SmartStart's advantage is ratings volume (123 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Linkr Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Directed SmartStart has 123 ratings behind it against 3, 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 50% of Linkr Mobile's.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Directed SmartStart versus Linkr Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDirected SmartStartLinkr Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (123 ratings)4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings123 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.012.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size179 MB9 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDirectedOmega Research & Development Technologies, Inc.

Customer experience

Directed SmartStart

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

Linkr Mobile

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Linkr Mobile

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Directed SmartStart

No in-app purchases

None

Linkr Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Directed SmartStart free?
Directed SmartStart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Linkr Mobile free?
Linkr Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Directed SmartStart or Linkr Mobile?
Linkr Mobile is rated higher. Directed SmartStart averages 2.7 out of 5 from 123 ratings, while Linkr Mobile averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Directed SmartStart or Linkr Mobile have ads?
Neither Directed SmartStart nor Linkr Mobile shows ads.

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