Soberlink vs. BACtrack View Comparison

Which remote alcohol monitoring solution is right for you?

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: BACtrack View is not endorsed by, affiliated with or sponsored by Soberlink®. Soberlink® is a trademark of Soberlink Healthcare LLC, which is a separate and unrelated company and brand. The use of any trade name or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trademark holder or their product or brand. All information presented on this page is based on publicly available data gathered in October 2025.

Looking for Soberlink alternatives?

Consider BACtrack View. It's affordable, uses a breathalyzer that's around 80% smaller than Soberlink's devices, and offers video verification of sobriety. Plus, no other monitoring program is trusted by more verified users, with 1,400+ reviews (averaging 4.8 stars) and a 97% recommendation rate.

Man using BACtrack Mobile breathalyzer with BACtrack View app

BACtrack Mobile device
Soberlink Cellular breathalyzer device held in hand showing front display and buttons

Soberlink Cellular device

Soberlink vs. BACtrack View Summary
BACtrack View Soberlink
Subscription cost
↓ $79.99 - $129.99/month
↑ $135 - $265/month
Free breathalyzer?
✓ Free device on all plans
✗
Must buy or rent device ⓘ
Free trial?
✓ 14-day free trial, no risk
✗ No free trials
Court approved?
✓ Court approved in the US
✓ Court approved in the US
BACtrack View Soberlink
Cost
Subscription cost
↓ $79.99 - $129.99/month
↑ $135 - $265/month
Free breathalyzer?
✓ Free device on all plans
✗ Must buy or rent device
Free trial?
✓ 14-day free trial
✗ No free trial
Cancel anytime for free?
✓ Free cancellation
✗
May incur fees ⓘ
Court Approval
Court approved?
✓ Court approved in the US
✓ Court approved in the US
Certified records available?
✓ Certified records available
✓ Certified records available
Sobriety Verification
Video verification?
✓ High-quality video + audio of tests
✗ No video or audio
Facial recognition?
✗
Not needed ⓘ
✓
Occurs on back-end ⓘ
Access to visual proof?
✓
Watch in the app ⓘ
⚠
May incur extra fees ⓘ
Randomized testing available?
✓ Randomized testing options
✗ No randomized testing
GPS location of tests shared?
✓
Location evidence available ⓘ
✗ No location evidence available
Tamper prevention technology?
✓ Tamper prevention technology
✓ Tamper prevention technology
Retest feature for positive test results?
✓ Retest feature
✓ Retest feature
The Breathalyzers
Smaller than a pack of playing cards?
✓ Smaller than a pack of cards
✗ Both devices are larger
Police-grade, fuel cell technology?
✓ Police-grade, fuel cell device
✓ Police-grade, fuel cell devices
Alerts & Reports
Real-time text alerts on every plan?
✓ At least 2 types of real-time alerts
✗ Only on plans from $235/month
Email notifications available?
✓ Email notifications available
✓ Email notifications available
Downloadable, court-admissible reports available?
✓ PDF reports available
✓ PDF reports available

TIP: New to remote alcohol monitoring? Here are 5 important questions to consider when choosing a service:

1. What's my budget?

Alcohol monitoring programs can vary widely in cost. Some charge steep monthly fees and add-ons for basic features (like real-time alerts), while others are designed to be more accessible.

Before making a decision, consider not only your monthly budget, but also whether the plan includes the features you actually need, at a price you can afford.
2. How often will testing be needed?

How many days each month will the Tester need to prove sobriety? And how many tests will they need to submit each day?

These are important questions to clarify before choosing a monitoring solution. The right system should give you the flexibility to match the frequency of testing to your specific situation — whether that means consistent daily check-ins, randomized testing throughout the day, or both.
3. Do I need alcohol monitoring for court?

If your monitoring needs are tied to a court case, family law matter, or custody agreement, it's essential to choose a program that's trusted in legal settings.

Look for solutions that provide court-admissible reports and flexible agreements that can be tailored to the specific requirements of your case. This ensures the monitoring you choose will actually hold up when it matters most.
4. What are real customers saying?

In the eyes of users, not all monitoring programs are created equal.

Hearing feedback from people who have actually used the service – and simply seeing how many verified reviews and testimonials are out there – can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
5. How's the customer support?

We have a saying here at BACtrack View: "Nobody knows anything about alcohol monitoring… until they need to know everything about it."

So, if you've never used any alcohol monitoring system before – and now, suddenly, you have to – you're probably going to have questions. Lots of questions.

You need a Customer Support team that doesn't treat any of your questions like a stupid question. BACtrack View's support specialists are highly knowledgeable, US-based, quick to respond, willing to take that extra step to help you, and – above all – kind.

Soberlink vs. BACtrack View, according to real people

Don’t take it from us. Many of our customers used Soberlink in the past and switched to BACtrack View, or signed up after evaluating both services (like you are, now!).

Soberlink vs. BACtrack View Cost

BACtrack View includes the required breathalyzer for free, costs less per month, and offers a free trial — while Soberlink charges upfront for breathalyzers and does not offer free trials.

Free trials & cancellations
BACtrack View Soberlink
Subscription cost
↓ $79.99 - $129.99/month
↑ $135 - $265/month
Free breathalyzer?
✓ Free device on all plans
✗
Must buy or rent device ⓘ
Cancel anytime for free?
✓ Free cancellation
✗
May incur fees ⓘ
Free trial?
✓ 14-day free trial
✗ No free trial

BACtrack View offers a free trial and cancel-anytime flexibility. Soberlink doesn’t.

Monthly subscription costs
BACtrack View Soberlink
Basic Plans
↓ $79.99 per month
↑ $135-$175 per month
Plus Plans
↓ $99.99 per month
↑ $185-$215 per month
Pro & Premium Plans
↓ $129.99 per month
↑ $235-$265 per month

BACtrack View offers 3 straightforward tiers, priced between $79.99 and $129.99 per month, everything included. Soberlink has 3 pricing tiers for each of its 3 different types of services – 9 prices, total.

 See BACtrack View Plans

Upfront breathalyzer costs
BACtrack View Soberlink
Cost to own Free Connect® device - $549
Cellular 2® device - $749
Cost to rent Free Connect® device
365-day commitment: $19/month ($228 total)
120-day commitment: $29/month ($116 total)

Cellular 2® device
Not available to rent

To get a better idea of how much BACtrack View or Soberlink costs, you also need to consider any upfront breathalyzer costs.

BACtrack View includes a free, police-grade breathalyzer you keep forever after three months. Soberlink requires users to purchase or rent a breathalyzer before starting the service.

 Start 14 Day Free Trial
Why is BACtrack View less expensive?

BACtrack View isn’t less expensive because it’s lower quality or missing essential features. It’s less expensive because we built it that way. On purpose.

For over 20 years, BACtrack has been committed to making life-saving, quality alcohol testing technology accessible to everyone — not just law enforcement or those who can afford expensive programs. That’s been our mission since day one.

BACtrack was the first company to be FDA-cleared to sell consumer breathalyzers; we’re trusted by health professionals, attorneys, and police departments; and have been used by millions worldwide. We’ve also been recognized as innovators in the space with products like BACtrack Skyn, our wearable alcohol monitor.

When we launched BACtrack View in 2016, we carried that same commitment to accessibility forward — creating a remote alcohol monitoring program that is accurate, built for courts, and designed to be affordable for real people in real-life situations.

Because whether you’re navigating recovery, a custody battle, or any other challenging circumstance, access to reliable monitoring shouldn’t be a luxury.

Court Approval

BACtrack View is used in court cases across all 50 states and Canada

BACtrack View - like Soberlink - is approved for court-ordered alcohol monitoring across the US. In addition to the thousands of court cases in which BACtrack View has been used, the Justice Speakers Institute (JSI) — an independent, globally recognized authority on justice issues — has published research confirming that both BACtrack View and Soberlink meet the high standards courts require for reliable alcohol monitoring evidence.

"The BACtrack View app, when used in conjunction with the BACtrack Mobile device, constitutes a scientifically reliable and legally admissible alcohol monitoring platform."

- Justice Speakers Institute, October 2025

Bottom line: Judges, attorneys, and families can all trust BACtrack View results.
Learn more about using BACtrack View for court
Doug

Doug, a real customer, explains how he and his lawyer leveraged BACtrack View for his family law case – and ultimately regained custody of his son.

Soberlink vs. BACtrack View Sobriety Verification

BACtrack View’s sobriety evidence includes high-quality video + audio of every test, optional GPS location sharing, and optional randomized testing. Soberlink does not offer location sharing or randomized testing, and may charge extra for any images of the Tester.

A comparison of test results from BACtrack View (left) and Soberlink (right). With every BACtrack View test, Monitors receive a full video with audio of the test in action, the GPS location, the result, and time/date. With Soberlink, Monitors receive a checkmark indicating the test was verified, with the time and date.

Identity check method: Is the right person testing?
BACtrack View Soberlink
Video verification?
✓ High-quality video + audio of tests
✗ No video or audio
Facial recognition?
✗
Not needed ⓘ
✓
Occurs on back-end ⓘ
Access to visual proof?
✓
Watch in the app ⓘ
⚠
May incur extra fees ⓘ

With BACtrack View, every test result includes high-quality video and audio, so you can see and hear the person taking the test. Videos are included with every plan at no additional cost.

Soberlink uses facial recognition behind the scenes – but does not automatically share images with Monitors. If you want to see photos for yourself, you have to request them individually; your first photo is free, and every photo thereafter costs $25.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Being able to watch a clear video of each test — like you’re right there — may provide more context than an ‘identity verified’ checkmark. And many people find that watching videos of the Tester, actually testing, gives them peace of mind.

Tamper prevention: Can I trust the results?

Both BACtrack View and Soberlink have advanced tamper prevention measures in place, built into the breathalyzers and/or alcohol monitoring software.

Both services take tampering seriously and neither system is easy to cheat.
Learn more about built-in security

Testing models: What types of breathalyzer tests can you schedule?

BACtrack View lets you easily schedule any combination of tests that work for your specific needs – whether that’s:

  • Scheduled
  • On-demand
  • Repeating
  • Randomized testing

You can set them up directly within the BACtrack View app.

Soberlink only offers scheduled testing at fixed times. No randomized testing.
BACtrack View vs Soberlink scheduling comparison showing BACtrack supports random scheduling

"Courts are increasingly seeking [alcohol] monitoring tools that are reliable, flexible, and capable of being scheduled randomly online."

— Justice Speakers Institute, October 2025

WHY THIS MATTERS

Randomized breath testing helps keep people honest, accountable, and aware that sobriety is continuously monitored — not just at predictable times.

Get an attorney’s take: Randomized testing in family law – does it really work?

GPS location evidence

Each BACtrack View test can include optional GPS location data through the Tester’s smartphone. This provides helpful context – showing not only when a test was taken, but where.

Soberlink does not share GPS location data with users.
BACtrack View vs Soberlink location tracking comparison showing BACtrack includes GPS

WHY THIS MATTERS

Knowing where a test took place can be as important as knowing that it took place. GPS evidence provides additional confidence and context for courts, attorneys, and family members.

BACtrack vs. Soberlink Breathalyzers

While both services’ breathlayzers use a professional-grade fuel cell sensor, BACtrack View’s device is around 80% smaller and 60% lighter than both Soberlink breathalyzers.

This could be important, especially when you have to carry the breathalyzer around with you for testing throughout the day.

BACtrack View Soberlink Soberlink
BACtrack Mobile device
BACtrack Mobile 		Soberlink Connect device
Connect® device 		Soberlink Cellular 2 device
Cellular 2® device
Cost Free
$549 to own, $19-29/month to rent ⓘ
$749 to own, not available to rent
Smaller than a pack of playing cards?
✓ Smaller than a pack of cards
✗ Larger than a pack of cards
✗ Larger than a pack of cards
Smartphone compatible, with Bluetooth?
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
✗ No
Cellular connection?
✗ No
✗ No
✓ Yes
Specifications Size: 2.75"h x 1.75"w x 0.63"d
Weight: 2.0 ounces (57 grams)		 Size: 4.75"h x 2.5"w x 1.25"d
Weight: 5.3 ounces (150 grams)		 Size: 4.77"h x 2.76"w x 1.4"d
Weight: 6.7 oz (190 grams)

BACtrack Mobile: Fits in your (smallest) pocket

Soberlink Cellular 2®: A tighter squeeze in a bigger pocket
BACtrack View and Soberlink devices side-by-side size comparison from above

How BACtrack View and Soberlink's breathalyzers compare in size to an AirPods case.

A note about mouthpieces

Before starting alcohol monitoring, many Testers don’t realize that their breathalyzer comes with a mouthpiece, which they need to attach before they test.

BACtrack’s mouthpiece was carefully designed to be small, so blowing in public is discreet. Soberlink’s mouthpiece is a 4.5-inch plastic tube.
BACtrack View Soberlink
BACtrack device with mouthpiece Soberlink device
BACtrack mouthpiece closeup Soberlink mouthpiece closeup
Size: 0.78 in Size: 4.5 in

Notifications and Reports

While both services’ breathlayzers use a professional-grade fuel cell sensor, BACtrack View’s device is around 80% smaller and 60% lighter than both Soberlink breathalyzers.

This could be important, especially when you have to carry the breathalyzer around with you for testing throughout the day.

Real-time text alerts for Monitors

Both BACtrack View and Soberlink provide email notifications. But there’s a clear difference in real-time text alerts.

With BACtrack View, every plan includes instant text notifications. Depending on your plan, those alerts can cover completed, missed, or non-compliant tests. But no matter which plan you’re on, you’ll never be left waiting until the next day.

With Soberlink, real-time text alerts are only available on plans starting at $235/month. Lower-tier plans offer email summaries sent the following day.
BACtrack View app push notification on iPhone lock screen

The bottom line on
Soberlink vs. BACtrack View

Both services monitor sobriety.
Only BACtrack View lets you try it free.

 Start 14 Day Free Trial

FAQs
Can I trust BACtrack View?

According to 97% of BACtrack View reviewers, yes. BACtrack is an established leader in the breathalyzer space — providing life-saving technology to millions globally.
Is BACtrack View better than Soberlink?

It depends on your needs. BACtrack View may be better for some users due to its affordability, discreet breathalyzer, and multiple layers of sobriety evidence.
Is BACtrack View admissible in court?

Yes. BACtrack View has been independently validated and approved for legal use in US courts.