Comparison

Directed SmartStart vs Linkr LTX

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 LTX

This telematics system connects you to your vehicle, allowing remote control of features like starting the engine, locking doors, and locating your car. It offers advanced features such as real-time status monitoring, customizable alerts, and trip tracking for enhanced vehicle management and security.

Highlights
  • Remote start/shutdown
  • Door lock/unlock
  • GPS location tracking
  • Real-time vehicle status
  • Customizable alerts
  • Trip tracking
  • Bluetooth local control
Features
Read full description

# LINKR™ LTX — Control Your Car from Virtually Anywhere **THE FUTURE OF VEHICLE CONNECTIVITY** LINKR™ LTX is the fastest, easiest, and most complete telematics system designed to keep you connected with your vehicle from anywhere in the world. Start your engine remotely, check vehicle status, or locate it in busy parking lots. **REQUIREMENTS** - Hardware purchase and professional installation required - Compatible LINKR™ LTX device with supported remote-starter system - Active internet connection via cellular or Wi-Fi - Find authorized resellers at: http://caralarm.com/en/linkr-smartphone-control ## NEW FOR 2025 **APPLE WATCH SUPPORT** Control key features from your wrist — start, lock, unlock, GPS locate, and get walking directions. **MYBRANDED APP** White-label branding for authorized retailers with custom logos, contact info, and promotions. **BLE COMMANDS (LOCAL CONTROL MODE)** Use Bluetooth Low Energy for essential functions (remote start, lock/unlock, trunk release) when cellular signal is unavailable. Perfect for underground parking or remote areas. *Note: Requires latest firmware update.* ## PREMIUM SERVICE FEATURES (INCLUDED WITH DEVICE) **CONTROL YOUR VEHICLE** - Remote Start/Shutdown with True Runtime - Door Lock/Unlock with status - Trunk Release or motorized hatch control - Up to 4 Auxiliary functions - Extend Runtime (on supported starters) **REAL-TIME STATUS** - Battery Voltage monitoring - GPS Location (instant locate) - Walk Me to My Vehicle with Apple/Google Maps directions **CUSTOMIZATION** - Unlimited users, devices, and vehicles per account - Customizable app layout and vehicle image picker ## PREMIUM PLUS UPGRADE Upgrade anytime with 30-day free trial included after installation. Premium Plus includes all Premium features plus smart alerts, driving reports, and enhanced notifications. **ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS** - Low & Critical Battery Alerts - Excessive Speed Alerts - Movement notifications for unauthorized usage **TRIP TRACKING** - Detailed route mapping and recording - Playback feature for past journeys **ZONE MONITORING** - Zones of Interest: Up to 10 circular alert zones per vehicle - Guard Alerts: Up to 10 high-priority zones per vehicle - Curfew Alerts: Restrict driving during specific days/times - Geofences: Up to 4 advanced custom zones (circular, rectangular, or polygonal) **COMPATIBILITY** Supports major digital remote-starter brands: ADS, Directed, Eurostart, Firstech, Fortin, Mid City Engineering, Omega, Polarstart, and Voxx. Full compatibility list: http://caralarm.com/en/linkr-smartphone-control **HELP & SUPPORT** See in-app Help section for Owner's Guide or contact your authorized LINKR™ LTX retailer. © 2025 Automobility Distribution Inc. All Rights Reserved. LINKR™ LTX is a trademark of Automobility Distribution Inc.

Screenshots

Directed SmartStart4 screens
Linkr LTX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Directed SmartStart at none against Linkr LTX's shown. Directed SmartStart also leads on ratings volume (123 vs 21). Linkr LTX's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, review sentiment 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

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.7 for Directed SmartStart against 2.8 for Linkr LTX. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Directed SmartStart has 123 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 22% of Directed SmartStart's written reviews are positive against 29% of Linkr LTX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, Linkr LTX every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Directed SmartStart versus Linkr LTX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDirected SmartStartLinkr LTX
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (123 ratings)2.8 (21 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.0% of reviews29.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings123 — better21
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.5.0
Further details — not scored
Size179 MB136 MB
Age rating17+17+
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 LTX

All ratings19 ratings
Positive36.8%
Neutral5.3%
Negative57.9%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive29.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative64.7%

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 LTX

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Directed SmartStart

No in-app purchases

None

Linkr LTX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Directed SmartStart free?
Directed SmartStart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Linkr LTX free?
Linkr LTX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Directed SmartStart or Linkr LTX?
Linkr LTX is rated higher. Directed SmartStart averages 2.7 out of 5 from 123 ratings, while Linkr LTX averages 2.8 from 21 ratings.
Do Directed SmartStart or Linkr LTX have ads?
Linkr LTX shows ads; Directed SmartStart does not.
Which is updated more often, Directed SmartStart or Linkr LTX?
Directed SmartStart ships an update every 3 months, and Linkr LTX every 3 weeks. Most recently, Directed SmartStart was updated on September 28, 2026 and Linkr LTX on September 28, 2026.

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