In the modern era of technology and connected devices, staying on top of your car’s health and performance has never been easier with a car diagnostic app. On-board Diagnostic (OBD) apps have emerged as a game changer for car owners and enthusiasts alike, allowing them to access and interpret vehicle data, diagnose issues, and even perform customizations. In this comprehensive review, we will dive deep into the world of the top six car diagnostic apps of 2023, guiding you through their features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision and choose the best app for your needs.
Overview of Top-Rated OBD Apps
We have curated a list of the six leading best automotive diagnostic apps, also known as car diagnostic apps, in the market for your convenience, with each standing out in a particular category:
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- Best Car Diagnostic Tool: Carly OBD
- Best App for Volkswagen and Audi: OBDeleven
- Best App for Amateur Mechanics: FIXD
- Best App for Cost Control: Carista
- Best Affordable Option: Torque Pro
- Best Full-Featured App: BlueDriver
Best Comprehensive Diagnostic Tool: Carly OBD
Price: £64.90 ($79.90 US Dollars)
Pros:
- Compatible with multiple car brands
- Offers more than just code scanning
- Easy to use with a simple three-step process
Cons:
- Subscription cost for additional features
Compatible with a wide array of car brands including BMW, VW, Skoda, Audi, Porsche, Mercedes, Toyota, Renault, and more, Carly OBD serves as a comprehensive diagnostic tool. It offers more than just code scanning, with features such as coding, used car checks, live data checks, and service light reset. With a simple three-step process, you can connect Carly to your car and start diagnosing any problems using the car scanner obd2. However, a subscription is required to access additional features. The car scanner dashboard includes various diagnostic tools and data for these car brands.
Carly OBD is more than just a diagnostic tool. It shines in the realm of car diagnostics, but it also offers Car Coding, a feature that allows you to customize your vehicle’s functionalities to your liking. Additionally, it comes equipped with a code reader functionality that helps you understand your car’s fault codes. But what truly sets Carly apart is its Smart Mechanic service. This guidance service provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to fix your car’s problems, empowering you to take care of your vehicle’s health by yourself.
Rating:
- Compatibility: 5/5
- Features: 4.5/5
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Price: 3.5/5
Best App for Volkswagen and Audi: OBDeleven
Price: Free app, OBDeleven device required (prices vary), in app purchases available
Pros:
- Specialized for Volkswagen and Audi vehicles
- Offers customized data and insights into engine codes
- Dashboard customization options
Cons:
- Requires compatible OBDeleven OBD device
- Basic features in the free version, subscription needed for advanced features
Primarily tailored for vehicles from Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Cupra, Seat, Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Lamborghini, OBDeleven serves as a comprehensive car scanner and diagnostic tool, similar to the obd auto doctor. It offers a range of car diagnostics services such as:
- Accessing vehicle modules
- Troubleshooting codes
- Viewing live data
- Gaining access to more advanced information like transmission oil temperature
The app can be downloaded free of cost. However, in order to connect to your vehicle and access sensor data, you have to purchase the proprietary OBDeleven device. The free version of the app offers basic diagnostic tools, while advanced features may require a subscription.
Rating:
- Compatibility: 4.5/5
- Features: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Price: 3.5/5
Best App for Amateur Mechanics: FIXD
Price: $59.99, $89.99, $119.98
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Detects over 7000 car issues
- Provides maintenance reminders
Cons:
- Requires proprietary FIXD OBD hardware for advanced diagnostics
- Not compatible with vehicles made before 1996
FIXD, an automotive diagnostic app, is designed to help amateur mechanics identify and resolve engine error codes. It not only monitors the wear of frequently replaced components but is also compatible with most OBD devices. The app can accurately detect over 7000 issues that can potentially affect your automobile and turn on the check engine light. It provides comprehensive explanations for all the trouble codes, eliminating the need for guesswork when diagnosing engine problems. Moreover, FIXD assists car owners in proactively monitoring wear on often replaced components by:
- Notifying users to inspect and replace specific car parts
- Furnishing maintenance reminders
- Providing real-time tracking of the car’s health, including the wear on components.
Rating:
- Compatibility: 4/5
- Features: 4.5/5 (with all the features considered)
- Ease of Use: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
Best App for Cost Control: Carista
Price: $69.90 + yearly license for premium features starting at $21.99 ($2.41 p/month)
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Compatible with most car brands
- Saves money on car repairs and maintenance
Cons:
- Yearly license for premium features
- May not be compatible with all vehicles
As an OBD2 scanner, Carista grants users access to their car’s health status, aiding them in maintaining control over their car expenses. It is a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner that can be used with a mobile app, allowing users to access their car’s information from their phone. With Carista, users can:
- Save up to $500 per year on car repairs and maintenance without relying on a car technician
- Use the scanner easily without requiring much equipment
- Enjoy compatibility with most car brands
- Access both basic and advanced features
However, a yearly license is required for premium features, and Carista may not be compatible with all vehicles.
Rating:
- Compatibility: 4/5
- Features: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 5/5
- Price: 3.5/5
Best Affordable Option: Torque Pro
Price: €5
Pros:
- Inexpensive option for reading out error codes
- Provides real-time data during a drive
- Supports most popular car brands
Cons:
- Technical terms are displayed in English
- Real-time display of current driving data is small
Compatible with most car brands, Torque Pro is an affordable and versatile OBD app that provides real-time data streams, detects and removes car engine fault codes, and includes an auxiliary digital dashboard to monitor car performance. The app can be installed from the Google Play Store on a smart device and connected to an OBD2 adapter via Bluetooth. While the app provides a wealth of live information such as outside temperature, oil temperature, vehicle position, vehicle speed, fuel consumption, and engine speed (RPM), some information depends on the vehicle type and may not be available if the vehicle’s control unit cannot provide it or if the car engine work unstable.
Some limitations include language restrictions, as most technical terms are displayed in English, and the small real-time display of current driving data.
Rating:
- Compatibility: 4.5/5
- Features: 4/5
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Price: 5/5
Best Full-Featured App: BlueDriver
Price: $119.95
Pros:
- Comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, including diagnostic data analysis
- Excellent customer service
- Troubleshooting options
Cons:
- Requires proprietary OBD device for full features
Offering comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, customer service, and troubleshooting options, BlueDriver is a feature-rich OBD2 app. It can:
- Scan and understand vehicle codes
- Clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
- Provide detailed vehicle information and data
- Live data streaming and graphing
- Enhanced diagnostics for certain makes and models
However, to access its full features, a proprietary OBD device is required.
The app has generally received positive customer reviews, with users reporting its ease of use and user-friendly interface. Some users have noted that the device is somewhat bulky for a Bluetooth scanner and that some features may not be compatible with all vehicles.
Rating:
- Compatibility: 4/5
- Features: 5/5
- Ease of Use: 4.5/5
- Price: 3.5/5
Choosing the Right Car Diagnostic App: A Comprehensive Guide
Several factors warrant consideration when selecting the appropriate car diagnostic app that suits your needs. First, ensure compatibility with your vehicle and adapter. Given that different OBD apps offer unique features and compatibility with specific car models, it’s important to select one that aligns with your vehicle’s make and model.
Another crucial factor is the features offered by the app. Consider the type of diagnostics and customizations you need, such as code scanning, live data checks, or service light reset. Some apps also provide advanced features like coding, used car checks, and proactively monitoring wear on frequently replaced components.
Another aspect to consider is the price. The cost of OBD apps can range from free to over a hundred dollars, and some apps may require a subscription for additional features. Be sure to weigh the benefits against the price and consider if the app offers value for money.
Lastly, check user reviews and ratings to gain insights into the app’s performance, ease of use, and compatibility. Users’ experiences can provide valuable information that may not be readily available in the app’s description or specifications.
About OBD Apps
- Question: What is the purpose of OBD apps? Answer: The purpose of OBD apps is to provide access to data from the engine control unit (ECU) and offer insight into potential issues within a vehicle. It enables technicians to assess performance and evaluate repair requirements.
- Question: Are OBD apps compatible with all car models? Answer: Given that different OBD apps offer unique features and compatibility with specific car models, it’s important to select one that aligns with your vehicle’s make and model.
- Question: How do OBD apps work with various car models? Answer: OBD apps use an OBD2 scanner as an interface between the app and the car’s diagnostic system in order to work with different car models.
- Question: What is the typical price range for OBD apps? Answer: The typical price range for OBD apps is between $40 and $120.
- Question: Can OBD apps perform customizations on my vehicle? Answer: Some OBD apps offer advanced features like coding and customizations, allowing users to modify their vehicle’s settings and functionalities.
Summary
In conclusion, OBD apps have revolutionized the way car owners and enthusiasts monitor their vehicles’ health and performance. With a wide range of options available in the market, finding the perfect app for your needs has never been easier. By considering factors such as compatibility, features, price, and user reviews, you can confidently choose the best OBD app to maintain your car’s optimal performance and ensure a smooth driving experience. Happy diagnosing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone as a car diagnostic tool?
Yes, you can use your phone as a car diagnostic tool by using OBD Fusion® app available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android. This app allows you to read diagnostic data from your vehicle, create virtual dashboards, estimate fuel economy, and more.
What is the app that tells you what’s wrong with your car?
CarDiag is an app that enables car owners to diagnose issues with their vehicles independently and cheaply. It features a variety of features like fault identification, pollution scores, and do-it-yourself auto repairs tips.
How do I run a diagnostic on my car?
Connect your OBD scanner to your car’s 16-pin port, turn the key in the ignition without starting the engine, input your Vehicle Identification Number, locate and decipher your OBD codes to run a diagnostic on your car.
Is car scanner app free?
Car Scanner is a free vehicle performance and diagnostics tool that connects to an OBD II Bluetooth adapter. It has the widest variety of features available across all platforms, making it an excellent choice for car owners.
What is the purpose of OBD apps?
OBD apps provide access to data from the vehicle’s engine control unit, giving technicians valuable insight into the engine’s performance and potential repair requirements.