AcuraLink vs DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AcuraLink
Connect with your vehicle remotely to check its status, locate it, and even precondition the cabin. Schedule service appointments and receive important maintenance alerts and recall notifications.
- View vehicle status (fuel, range, doors)
- Remote commands (precondition, locate)
- Service scheduling
- Recall and maintenance alerts
- Vehicle compatibility checker
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AcuraLink* moves beyond the car, as cloud-based technologies enable you to connect with your vehicle. Stay connected by checking vehicle status, scheduling service with ease, and accessing a suite of advanced remote features designed for your convenience. Check your vehicle compatibility: https://mygarage.honda.com/s/acuralink-product-compatibility The AcuraLink app provides some of the following and more: View Vehicle’s Status • Fuel level • Remaining range • Door, trunk, and hood status Remote Commands • Precondition your vehicle’s cabin ahead of time • Locate your vehicle with lights or horn • Find where your vehicle is parked Service and Safety • Receive recall notifications • Receive maintenance alerts • Schedule service appointments *Available AcuraLink features may differ depending on the model, model year and country. Check to make sure your vehicle is compatible. AcuraLink subscription package may be required.
DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO
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Start, control, and locate your car from virtually anywhere with your iPhone! “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 the all-new VIPER SMARTSTART PRO app, connecting with and controlling your vehicles is easier and more powerful than ever. Send commands, track your vehicle's location in real time, and monitor key status updates right from the integrated control screen, complete with light and dark mode support and seamless vehicle personalization in the Garage. New Features: • Trip Review & Route Tracking: Access detailed logs of your trips and view routes directly on an interactive map to easily monitor where your vehicle has traveled. (Requires a qualifying service plan). • Direct DS4 Bluetooth (BLE) Support: Enjoy direct local control of your DS4 system over Bluetooth. Lock, unlock, remote start, and control up to two custom AUX functions without relying solely on cellular networks. - Add VIPER SMARTSTART PRO GPS to any compatible VIPER remote start or security system in your car, and 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 VIPER SMARTSTART PRO monitored car is speeding or goes where it's not supposed to go. - For the ultimate connected car experience, use your VIPER SMARTSTART PRO as part of a complete VIPER Digital System, and you’ll also get engine runtime and other real-time status info right on the app dashboard. Even if a thief opens your vehicle using a cloned factory fob, you can get alerted immediately while the VIPER security system sounds the alarm and prevents unauthorized vehicle starting. - VIPER SMARTSTART PRO comes with a free 30-day GPS trial so you can check out the cool features right away. You can have Basic 1-way service free for the first year, step up to Secure service to get 2-way control confirmations, or add GPS or Small Fleet & Family plans for the ultimate in car control and monitoring. The simple, uncluttered new control screen design for VIPER SMARTSTART PRO gives you quick, 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 - View current status, including cabin temperature, lock status, remote start runtime, and more at a single glance Follow these three simple steps to get VIPER SMARTSTART PRO: 1) Download the free VIPER SMARTSTART PRO app 2) Get a VIPER SMARTSTART PRO system installed in your vehicle 3) Set up your account and start using your VIPER SMARTSTART PRO system Key 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 vehicle data such as battery voltage, odometer, and fuel level in the extended Vehicle Status tab (requires a digital system; some features may not be supported on all vehicles) - Map page integrates GPS and SmartPark features seamlessly – locate your vehicle, or track down where you parked (live vehicle location requires GPS or Small Fleet & Family GPS plan) - Manage notifications: Each user can select how they want to receive alerts or other notifications. Select push notification, email, or SMS as desired (SMS alerts may not be available outside North America)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: AcuraLink at fortnightly against DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO's every 4 months. 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AcuraLink ships an update fortnightly, DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 15, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AcuraLink | DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (57K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 9.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 57K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 186 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Acura | VOXX Electronics Corp |
Bugs and requests
AcuraLink
Reported bugs
4 issues- App unable to connect to vehicle
- Inaccurate mileage and fuel range reporting
- Remote start/unlock commands failing
- App crashing or freezing
Requested features
5 requests- Remote window/sunroof control
- Ability to use phone as a key
- Apple Watch app integration
- Customizable app dashboard
- Improved vehicle health monitoring
DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AcuraLink
No in-app purchases
DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AcuraLink free?
Is DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO free?
Do AcuraLink or DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO have ads?
Which is updated more often, AcuraLink or DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO?
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