Directed SmartStart vs 034SPI
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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)
034SPI
This app allows users to flash their car's ECU/TCU, change fuel maps, and configure live data displays. It also provides diagnostic tools like reading and clearing DTC codes. Compatible with Dynamic+ ECU/TCU tunes and the Dynamic+ End User Flashing Dongle.
- Flash ECU/TCU tunes
- Change fuel octane/transmission files
- Configure live data displays
- High-speed data logging
- Read & clear DTC codes
- Perform adaptations/recalibrations
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Designed for use on iPhone/iOS as well as Apple Silicon-equipped laptops (M1, M2, M3), 034SPI allows you to easily flash your car, change fuel maps, configure live data displays, record and submit data logs to 034Motorsport's Tuning Support team, and utilize diagnostic support tools such as DTC/CEL code read/clear and more! Available now for use with any Dynamic+ ECU or TCU tune and the latest Dynamic+ End User Flashing Dongle (May 2023 & Newer)! Full App Features: Complete Any ECU Or TCU Tune flash Quickly Flash Different Fuel Octane Or Transmission Files Flash ECU/TCU Using Mobile Device's Internet Connection Enhanced Flashing Protocol Protections For Increased Flashing Stability User-Configurable Live Data Displays Dozens Of Defined Variables Available Multiple Display Types Available for Live Dt High-Speed Data Logging Of Pre-Defined Variables Easy Upload Of Logs To 034Motorsport Server Data Log Analysis Services Available Free Of Charge Read & Clear DTCs On ECU & TCU View Emissions Monitor Statuses Perform Adaptations/Recalibrations* Throttle Body Adaptation Fuel Tank Drain *Available for limited platforms, coverage expanding regularly
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: 034SPI at 4.2 against Directed SmartStart's 2.7. 034SPI also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 22%) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
034SPI holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 123 and 42 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Directed SmartStart's written reviews are positive against 53% of 034SPI's.
Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, 034SPI every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Directed SmartStart | 034SPI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (123 ratings) | 4.2 (42 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.0% of reviews | 52.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 123 — better | 42 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 12.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 179 MB | 124 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Directed | 034motorsport Industries, LLC |
Customer experience
Directed SmartStart
034SPI
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
034SPI
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Directed SmartStart
No in-app purchases
034SPI
No in-app purchases









