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Best ignition interlock companies in 2026

There's no single best interlock company: you can only use one on your state's approved list, so the real choice is among the companies your state allows, which ranges from 1 to 19 in the lists we've read. Across the 44 state lists we've read, Smart Start is approved most widely and files the most complete fee list, which puts it first in the ranking below.

Updated Oct 23, 2026How we check

How we ranked them

Each company gets a score out of 100 from three things we can check, weighted as shown. We haven't tested the devices, and the score isn't a rating of how well they work.

FactorWeightHow it's measured
State coverage45Share of the 44 official state approved lists that name the company
Fee transparency30A full itemized fee schedule from 2025 or later scores full marks; an older full schedule 60%; price ranges only 40%; nothing published 0
Published device detail25How many of 13 device facts (sensor, warm-up, retest window, temperature range and so on) the company publishes

The ranking at a glance

#CompanyScoreState listsFees publishedDevice facts
1Smart Start9040/44Full fee schedule filed with New York (Apr 2025)10/13
2LifeSafer8634/44Full fee schedule filed with New York (Feb 2025)11/13
3Intoxalock7937/44Full schedule filed with New York, but from Feb 202112/13
4RoadGuard7228/44Full schedule filed with New York, but from 202113/13
5Low Cost Interlock7119/44Full fee schedule on its own site (Sept 2026)11/13
6Guardian3816/44Only price ranges published5/13
7Alcohol Detection Systems3628/44No prices published4/13
8ALCOLOCK1812/44No prices published3/13

The 8 interlock companies, ranked

01

Smart Start

Best overall coverage
90

Best for: Drivers in most states who want an itemized, current fee list to check their contract against.

What works
  • On 40 of the 44 state approved lists we've read, more than any other company
  • Full fee schedule filed with New York in April 2025, from enrollment to closing fee
  • Advertises no long-term contract
Watch for
  • App Store rating of 2.0 from 113 ratings for its client portal app
  • New York monthly plans run $97.95 to $112.95, above several rivals
  • A $69.50 closing fee on top of a $94.99 removal in New York

Verdict: The safest bet on availability, and its filed fee list makes the true cost easy to check. Compare its monthly price with the others approved in your state before you sign.

02

LifeSafer

Most complete fee disclosure
86

Best for: Drivers who want to know every possible charge, including lost or damaged equipment, before they book.

What works
  • New York filing (Feb 2025) lists 16 fees, including lost-handset and camera prices
  • Published size, weight and temperature range for the L250
  • Says it installs on motorcycles in some states
Watch for
  • No consumer app
  • Nationally it publishes only a $50 to $150 range
  • Lost handset without insurance: $800 in its New York schedule

Verdict: The easiest company to price out in full, with wide coverage. Ask whether your state's version comes with a camera and what that adds.

03
PASSED

Intoxalock

Most published device detail
79

Best for: Drivers who want to know how the device behaves (warm-up, retest window, battery care) before it's in the car.

What works
  • On 37 of 44 state lists
  • Publishes warm-up time, rolling retest window and battery guidance
  • 532 certified service centers in Texas, the most on the DPS list
Watch for
  • App Store rating of 1.7 from 899 ratings
  • Its New York fee schedule dates from 2021
  • Doesn't install on motorcycles

Verdict: Widely available with the largest service network in Texas. Get a current fee list in writing, since the filed one is old.

04

RoadGuard

Best published specifications
72

Best for: Drivers in cold or hot climates who care about warm-up and operating range.

What works
  • Dräger spec sheet gives warm-up under 4 seconds above 0 °C and a -45 °C to 85 °C range
  • On 28 of 44 state lists, counting its former Dräger name
  • $25 unlock code in its New York schedule, the lowest lockout charge in the schedules we have
Watch for
  • New York fee schedule dates from 2021
  • Hybrid install listed at $200 compared with $100 standard in New York
  • No consumer app

Verdict: A solid device with real published specs. Confirm current fees, since the filed schedule is old.

05
no photopublished

Low Cost Interlock

Most open national pricing
71

Best for: Drivers who want to see a full national price list before calling anyone.

What works
  • Publishes a full national fee schedule on its own site
  • Lists a monthly lease as low as $78.76
  • Publishes handset size, weight and temperature range for the Co-Pilot
Watch for
  • On 19 of 44 state lists
  • Its site gives two calibration prices, $25 per visit and $20 per week
  • $125 to unlock after a lockout, higher than several rivals

Verdict: Easy to price, and among the cheapest on our 12-month estimate where it's approved. Ask which calibration price applies to you.

06

Guardian

Best for low upfront cost (CO, NM, CA)
38

Best for: Drivers in Colorado, New Mexico or California who can't pay install costs up front.

What works
  • $0 upfront start-up package in Colorado, New Mexico and California
  • Publishes national ranges for install and monthly lease
  • Fuel cell sensor, per the company
Watch for
  • On 16 of 44 state lists
  • No model name on its own site
  • Doesn't install on motorcycles

Verdict: Worth a call in the three states with the $0 start-up offer. Elsewhere, get a full quote to compare.

07
no photopublished

Alcohol Detection Systems

Wide approval, little published detail
36

Best for: Drivers in states where it's approved who are comparing two or three local options.

What works
  • On 28 of 44 state lists
  • Part of the same parent group as Intoxalock (Mindr)
Watch for
  • No prices published
  • Little device detail published

Verdict: Approved in many states, but you'll need a written quote to compare it with anyone.

08
no photopublished

ALCOLOCK

Detailed temperature specs
18

Best for: Drivers in states where ALCOLOCK is on the list who want a second quote.

What works
  • Publishes warm-up times down to -20 °C and an operating range to -45 °C
Watch for
  • On 12 of 44 state lists
  • No prices published

Verdict: Fewer states and no published pricing. Ask for a full written quote.

Which company fits your situation?

Before you pick

Start with your state's approved list, then compare total cost for your order length, not the monthly price. The cheapest interlock page adds up a year at each company.

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