Comparison

BimmerLink vs J1939OBD

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

BimmerLink

This app provides direct access to your BMW or MINI vehicle's systems. Read and clear trouble codes from all control units, monitor real-time sensor values, and control features like exhaust flaps and active sound design. It also supports battery registration, DPF regeneration, and service resets.

Highlights
  • Read and clear trouble codes from all control units
  • Display real-time sensor values
  • Remote control of exhaust flap
  • Mute Active Sound Design
  • DPF regeneration
  • Battery registration
  • Service reset
Features
Read full description

BimmerLink is the direct link to your BMW, MINI, or Toyota Supra. Read and clear trouble codes, monitor live sensor data, and perform maintenance functions from your phone. A supported OBD adapter or cable is required. Feature availability depends on your vehicle and its equipment. READ AND CLEAR TROUBLE CODES Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes from all control units in your car. LIVE SENSOR DATA Monitor values such as oil temperature and boost pressure in real time. Create a personalized dashboard to keep the readings that matter to you in view. DATA LOGGING Record sensor values in CSV log files for detailed analysis. CONTROL UNIT FUNCTIONS Access live data and diagnostic functions for individual control units in your car. EXHAUST FLAP CONTROL Choose whether your car's exhaust flap is open or closed. Requires a factory-installed exhaust flap. ACTIVE SOUND DESIGN Mute the artificial engine sound generated by Active Sound Design (ASD). Requires factory-installed ASD. SOUND TUNING Disable exhaust burble on cars equipped with the S55 engine (M2 Competition, M3, and M4). DPF REGENERATION Check the condition of your diesel particulate filter and request a regeneration when needed. Available on supported diesel vehicles equipped with a DPF. CARPLAY ADD-ON Use CarPlay to view live sensor data from your car's engine control units and control the exhaust flap and Active Sound Design, all from your car's display. Additional in-app purchase required. BATTERY REGISTRATION Register a new battery after replacement directly from the app. PARKING BRAKE SERVICE MODE Activate service mode for your car's electromechanical parking brake. SERVICE RESET Reset service indicators after completing maintenance, such as an engine oil change or brake pad replacement. RESET SHORT-CIRCUIT LOCKS Reset short-circuit locks in the lighting control unit. TRANSMISSION ADAPTATION VALUES View adaptation values for your car's ZF 8HP automatic transmission. REQUIRED ACCESSORIES BimmerLink requires a supported Bluetooth or Wi-Fi OBD adapter or cable. Visit bimmerlink.app for supported accessories and vehicle information. SUPPORTED VEHICLES Feature availability varies by model and equipment. - 1 Series, 1 Series M Coupé (2004+) - 2 Series, 2 Series Coupé, M2 (2013+) - 2 Series Gran Coupé (2020+) - 2 Series Active Tourer (2014+) - 2 Series Gran Tourer (2015+) - 3 Series, M3 (2005+) - 4 Series, M4 (2013+) - 5 Series, M5 (2003+) - 6 Series, M6 (2003+) - 7 Series (2008+) - 8 Series, M8 (2018+) - X1 (2009+) - X2 (2018+) - X3, X3 M (2010+) - X4, X4 M (2014+) - X5, X5 M (2006+) - X6, X6 M (2008+) - X7 (2019+) - XM (2022+) - Z4 (2009+) - i3 (2013+) - i4 (2021+) - i5 (2023+) - i7 (2022+) - i8 (2013+) - iX (2021+) - iX1 (2022+) - iX2 (2024+) - iX3 (2021+) - MINI (2006+) - Toyota Supra (2019+)

About

J1939OBD

Features
Read full description

A diagnostic app for industrial and commercial vehicle engines using the J1939 CAN protocol. The app supports the following functions: - Display the active error codes - Display the passive error codes - Delete the error codes - Display of engine measured values - Information about the status DPF - Information about the SCR system - Information about fuel consumption - Engine information - Terminal mode To connect to the engine you need an EML327 compatible Wifi OBD interface as of V1.4 and a connection cable from the diagnostic connector to OBD. Various manufacturers offer corresponding cables, as well as a well-known engine manufacturer from Cologne, who distributes a corresponding adapter cable via his dealer network. Visit my homepage for further informations. An EML327 Wifi interface is offered on known Internet platforms.

Screenshots

BimmerLink4 screens
J1939OBD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: BimmerLink at every 4 weeks against J1939OBD's every 41 months. BimmerLink also leads on chart position (#101 vs unranked). J1939OBD's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. BimmerLink sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and J1939OBD sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, J1939OBD every 41 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
BimmerLink versus J1939OBD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBimmerLinkJ1939OBD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (9.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings9.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 41 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#101 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSG Software GmbH & Co. KGS.Koepge

Bugs and requests

BimmerLink

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to connect to OBD adapter
  • Fails to clear error codes
  • Battery registration not working
  • Sensor values not updating properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for more BMW models
  • Improve exhaust flap control functionality
  • Add option to change units (Celsius/Fahrenheit, MPH/KPH)
  • Improve CarPlay integration
  • Add more customization options for dashboard

J1939OBD

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

BimmerLink

One-time2
  • CarPlay Add-On$9.99
  • BimmerLink full version$39.99
1 purchases

J1939OBD

One-time1
  • Get full access for 1939OBD$3.99

Questions

Is BimmerLink free?
BimmerLink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is J1939OBD free?
J1939OBD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BimmerLink or J1939OBD have ads?
Neither BimmerLink nor J1939OBD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BimmerLink or J1939OBD?
BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, and J1939OBD every 41 months. Most recently, BimmerLink was updated on October 16, 2026 and J1939OBD on September 18, 2026.

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