hobDrive vs Steer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
hobDrive
This intelligent trip computer and OBD2 diagnostic software uses your vehicle adapter and GPS to calculate trip information, monitor engine diagnostics, and track performance metrics. It offers detailed fuel efficiency calculations and trip planning features for a comprehensive driving analysis.
- OBD2 PIDs and custom sensor support
- Enhanced engine diagnostics and code explanation
- Detailed trip computer with MPG calculations
- Performance tools (0-100, braking, HP, torque)
- Hybrid vehicle specific features
- Trip planning and fueling records
- GPS tracking and map overlay
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Turn a compatible ELM327 adapter into a live trip computer for your car. hobDrive brings vehicle data, OBD2 diagnostics, trip history, fuel costs, and maintenance planning together in one app. Connect through Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi, use detailed dashboards on your iPhone, and view selected live values on your vehicle's CarPlay display. Before purchasing, use the included 30-day evaluation period to confirm compatibility with your vehicle, phone, and adapter. DRIVE WITH USEFUL DATA - Monitor available values such as speed, RPM, coolant temperature, battery voltage, fuel level, and fuel trims - Track fuel consumption, economy, idling, distance, and time by trip, day, week, since fueling, or manual Trip A/B period - Estimate remaining range and driving time from the fuel left in the tank - Keep trip, fuel, range, and selected sensor values visible through CarPlay UNDERSTAND VEHICLE PROBLEMS - Read OBD2 trouble codes and monitor new engine-code warnings during a trip - See code descriptions and use the AI assistant to help interpret a code or vehicle symptom - Receive warnings for conditions such as overheating or unusual fuel trims - Review sensor values in charts instead of relying on a single warning light KEEP A USEFUL VEHICLE HISTORY - Record fuelings, fuel prices, and vehicle expenses - Review trip statistics and offline or cloud analytics across different periods - Create service intervals and reminders for scheduled or personal maintenance - Configure dashboards, sensor views, themes, and community layouts VEHICLE AND PROTOCOL COVERAGE hobDrive supports standard OBD2 PIDs and extended sensors for selected Toyota, Toyota Prius, Ford, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda, Chevrolet, and Nissan vehicles. It also supports selected non-OBD2 protocols, including Delphi MR240, Delphi MT20U, Bosch, VAZ Yanvar 5/7, Micas, Itelma, JDM Nissan and Toyota, and Siemens systems used by some Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Samand vehicles. Support is also available for selected hybrid, electric, diesel, and dual-fuel vehicles. The exact sensors and functions depend on the vehicle, ECU, adapter, and connection configuration. ADDITIONAL TOOLS - GPS- or ELM327-based acceleration, quarter-mile, and braking measurements - Estimated engine power and torque - Fuel-consumption calculations using MAF, MAP, injector timing, or ECU fuel-flow data when available TRIAL AND COMPATIBILITY HobDrive provides a 30-day evaluation period. Most features are available during the trial; reading and clearing manufacturer-specific protocol codes is excluded. A purchase is required after the evaluation period. Many vehicles need a specific connection profile. If hobDrive cannot connect to your ELM327 adapter, contact support so we can help check the configuration. GPS NOTICE hobDrive can use GPS to record trip tracks. Continuous background GPS use can reduce battery life, so a charger is recommended for longer drives. More information: https://hobdrive.com/ Support: support@hobdrive.com
Steer
Transform your smartphone into a powerful OBD2 diagnostic tool. Read and clear fault codes, monitor real-time performance metrics, and test your vehicle's acceleration and emissions. Compatible with a wide range of car brands and OBD2 scanners.
- Universal OBD2 scanner compatibility
- Read and erase fault codes
- Real-time performance metrics
- Acceleration and performance testing
- Emission compliance checks
- Supports various car brands
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Your car has been trying to tell you something. Steer translates it. Plug the Steer sensor into the port under your steering wheel and the app reads what your car already knows โ then explains it the way an honest mechanic would: in plain language, with no jargon and nothing to upsell you. WHAT YOU GET: โ AI MECHANIC Ask anything about your car and get a straight answer. Send a photo of a warning light, a leak on the driveway or a part you don't recognize, or just describe the noise it makes. It knows your exact car and your latest scan. โ ONE NUMBER, 0 TO 100 Your Steer Score answers "how is my car right now?". No trouble codes to look up, no tables to read. Watch it move over time. โ PROBLEMS IN PLAIN LANGUAGE Every issue comes with what it means, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the repair usually costs. Not "P0420 โ Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold". โ DEEP SCAN 21 systems and 126 live parameters, across every module your car will talk to. Start it, lock your phone, and get a notification when it is done. โ DASHBOARD LIGHT LIBRARY Every warning light on your dashboard โ check engine, ABS, airbag, TPMS, oil, battery โ what it actually means, and how urgent it really is. โ MAINTENANCE THAT KNOWS YOUR CAR Service intervals based on your VIN and your real mileage, not a generic checklist. Oil changes, filters, brakes, belts. โ SAFETY RECALLS We check your VIN against the manufacturer recall database and tell you if your car is affected. โ EVERY OBD2 CAR SINCE 1996 80 makes and thousands of models, 1996 to 2026. TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY Open the app and tap "Try a real scan". You get the whole experience on a demo car โ scan, results, AI Mechanic โ with no sensor, no account and no card. WHAT YOU NEED Steer works with the Steer OBD2 sensor, available at steer.so. It is not compatible with third-party adapters. MEMBERSHIP Free forever: live codes, battery alerts and basic diagnosis. Steer Plus unlocks the unlimited AI Mechanic, full explanations for every issue, predictive maintenance and every car in the household โ $99/year with a 14-day free trial, or $14.99/month. Terms of Use: https://steer.so/terms Privacy Policy: https://steer.so/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Steer at every 3 weeks against hobDrive's every 3 months. hobDrive's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.1). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. hobDrive sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Steer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
hobDrive ships an update every 3 months, Steer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | hobDrive | Steer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 28.1% of reviews โ better | 26.7% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod โ better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 โ better | 26.1 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 148 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | RID OOO | Smarters Engineered |
Customer experience
hobDrive
Steer
In-app purchases
hobDrive
- Lifetime license (existing)$7.99
- Lifetime license$12.99
- Lifetime License / existing$12.99
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- Lifetime License$19.99
Steer
- OBD2 Pro$9.991 Month
- OBD2 Pro$19.991 Year
- Steer Plus14 Days trial$99.001 Year
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- Steer Plus$99.001 Year
Questions
Is hobDrive free?
Is Steer free?
Do hobDrive or Steer have ads?
Which is updated more often, hobDrive or Steer?
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