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Low Cost Interlock vs Smart Start

Your state's approved list decides first: in most states you can only choose from the companies on it. Where both are approved, the device, the service centers near you and the fees are what differ.

Low Cost Interlock logoLow Cost InterlockLCI-77719 of 44 state listsApp Store 1.4 from 11 ratings
Smart Start logoSmart StartSSI-20/3040 of 44 state listsApp Store 2.0 from 113 ratings

Where each one is approved

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKansasMaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTexasWyomingConnecticutMissouriWest VirginiaIllinoisNew MexicoArkansasCaliforniaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIowaKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkOhioOregonTennesseeUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinNebraskaSouth CarolinaIdahoNevadaVermontLouisianaRhode Island
BothOnly Low Cost InterlockOnly Smart StartNeitherNo list we could read
Both 18

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Only Low Cost Interlock 1

Vermont

Only Smart Start 22

Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington

Low Cost Interlock vs Smart Start: the devices

Low Cost InterlockSmart Start
SensorThe LCI Co-Pilot uses a quarter-size electrochemical fuel cell sensor.1Alcohol-specific fuel cell sensor.2
How you blowThe LCI Co-Pilot uses a blow/hum or straight hum pattern, depending on your state.3Blow and hum for 3 to 4 seconds. Some states use blow-inhale-blow, and the pattern depends on your state.4
CameraOn the LCI-777, a camera is an optional accessory. An icon shows on the handset when one is attached.5Optional, and whether it is required depends on your state.6
GPSOn the LCI-777, GPS is an optional accessory. An icon shows on the handset when it is attached.5Optional.7
Real-time reportingThe LCI-777 shows a GSM icon when its cellular reporting hardware is attached.5Optional.8
Warm-upThe LCI-777 warm-up may take up to 2 minutes.9Not published
Rolling retest windowThe LCI-777 asks for a sample 5-7 minutes into a rolling retest. The device FAQ gives a minimum of 5.105 minutes to respond once prompted, per a 2017 Kansas manual. Smart Start's current rules may differ.11
Operating temperatureThe LCI Co-Pilot handset is rated for -45 °C to +85 °C.12Not published
Size and weightThe LCI Co-Pilot handset measures 4.75 x 2.5 x 1.75 in and weighs 148 grams.13Smart Start says it is no bigger than the average smartphone.14
ScreenThe LCI-777 has a color display.15Not published
AppLow Cost Interlock offers an app called Warm Up App.16The free Smart Start Client Portal app handles account management.17
Electric and hybrid carsNot publishedSmart Start says the device is compatible with most electric vehicles.18
MotorcyclesNot publishedSmart Start says the device is compatible with most motorcycles.18

Low Cost Interlock vs Smart Start fees

FeeLow Cost InterlockSmart Start
Monthly leaseas low as $78.76National, varies by state and vehicle19from $1.99/dayNational, varies by state. Smart Start advertises no long-term contract.20
Installation$100-$250National, varies by state and vehicle21$150.00Filed in New York22
Calibration$25National, varies by state and vehicle23$25.00Filed in New York24
Removal$129.50National, varies by state and vehicle25$94.99Filed in New York26
Lockout or violation reset$125National, varies by state and vehicle27$80.00Filed in New York28
Missed appointmentNot published$55.00Filed in New York. Not charged with 24 hours notice.29
Closing or admin fee$150National, varies by state and vehicle30$69.50Filed in New York31
Enrollment or set-up$40National, varies by state and vehicle32$40.00Filed in New York33
Damage or loss$20-$500National, varies by state and vehicle34Not published

In Texas

Low Cost InterlockSmart Start
Certified service centers3144
Advertised$70–$100/mofrom $1.99/day*
Installby quotefrom $150

Texas DPS service center list; prices advertised Oct 23, 2026. Texas interlock guide

InterlockCompare is independent and isn't affiliated with either company. Not legal advice.

Sources 34 sources from 4 sites, including lowcostinterlock.com, smartstartinc.com, ksrevenue.govShow

Every fact on this page comes from one of these.

  1. Quarter-size Electrochemical Fuel Celllowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/LCI-Co-Pilot-User-Instructions.pdf
  2. Alcohol-specific fuel cell technology Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  3. Blow/Hum Techniquelowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/LCI-Co-Pilot-User-Instructions.pdf
  4. Blow into the device for three or four seconds while humming at the same timesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices
  5. Sync GPS GSM HUB Cameralowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2016-11-09-LCI-777-User-Manual.pdf
  6. Optional camera for positive identification Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  7. Optional GPS tracking Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  8. Optional real-time reporting Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  9. This may take up to 2-minuteslowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2016-11-09-LCI-777-User-Manual.pdf
  10. 5 to 7 minutes to submit a breath samplelowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2016-11-09-LCI-777-User-Manual.pdf
  11. Once prompted for a retest, you have 5 minutes toksrevenue.gov/doviidmanuals/SmartStart.pdf
  12. -45°C to +85°Clowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/LCI-Co-Pilot-User-Instructions.pdf
  13. 4.75 x 2.5 x 1.75 inlowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/LCI-Co-Pilot-User-Instructions.pdf
  14. no bigger than the average smartphonesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  15. Color Displaylowcostinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2016-11-09-LCI-777-User-Manual.pdf
  16. Warm Up Applowcostinterlock.com
  17. downloading our free Smart Start Client Portal appsmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/cost
  18. compatible with most electric vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicle typessmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  19. As low as $78.76lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  20. From $1.99/Day* - No Long-Term Contractssmartstartinc.com
  21. Installation (one-time)lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  22. Install Vehicle Model >5 Years Old*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  23. Calibration (per visit)lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  24. Calibration, Inspection, Monitoring Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  25. Removal (one-time)lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  26. Removal Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  27. Unlock codelowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  28. Service Lockout Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  29. Missed Appointment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  30. Administrative transferlowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  31. Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  32. Set-up / enrollment (one-time)lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  33. Enrollment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  34. Device replacementlowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing