Comparison

BimmerLink vs xHP Flashtool

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

xHP Flashtool

This app offers a complete tuning solution for ZF automatic and DCT transmissions. It allows users to customize their transmission's behavior, from smooth and comfortable to race-ready performance, directly from their Apple devices. Unlock the full potential of your vehicle's transmission.

Highlights
  • ZF transmission tuning
  • Customizable shift behavior
  • OTS map selection
  • DCT transmission support
  • iOS/iPadOS/Mac M1 compatibility
  • Multiple adapter options
Features
Read full description

xHP Flashtool is the worldwide first and complete Tuning solution for your ZF6HP, ZF8HP Automatic or 7-Speed DCT transmission. xHP is the only tool that focuses fully on getting the best from your Auto-Transmission and is the worldwide leading solution for the best vehicles from Bavaria! xHP put's the power to fully customize your automatic transmission at your hands. Connect your Apple iPhone, IPad or Mac M1 to your car and customize by yourself or choose from pre-defined OTS maps. The ZF Autos are used throughout the whole range, from the 1-Series hatchbacks, to the mighty Alpina and M cars! While the hardware stays widely the same throughout all applications and is mainly divided in only 2 types (6HP19/21 and 6HP26/28 for 6-Speed, 8HP45/50/51 and 8HP70/75/76 for 8-Speed), the software inside the controller makes it possible to adapt the transmission, to every vehicle and mimic a wide range of driver styles. Smooth and comfy in the Luxury applications, the same transmission can be tweaked to deliver snap-on take-off behavior, surprisingly fast shift times and even race-style throttle blips on downshifts. Tweaking your transmission is not only about getting quicker, or holding more power. An automatic transmission is deeply involved into vehicle dynamics and contributes very much to the overall driving experience. From crawling in traffic, over city driving, to taking your vehicle to the drag strip or a race track, the TCU widely defines how your car feels. Like everyone drives different with a manual, the maps inside the TCU hide the secrets to tweak your automatic transmission to your personal likings and finally experience what was once promised in the glossy brochure: Sheer driving pleasure! For a seamless start, please read the manual on needed hardware and prerequisites: https://www.xhpflashtool.com To connect to your car, you have many options: xHP Wifi Adapter (blue), Wifi Thor Adapter, MHD Wifi Adapter (black and orange) or a standard OBD INPA USB or ENET cable! Please check our Connect-Diagram on our website to get further information and sources! https://www.xhpflashtool.com/connect_diagram/

Screenshots

BimmerLink4 screens
xHP Flashtool4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: xHP Flashtool at 94% against BimmerLink's 53%. xHP Flashtool also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks). BimmerLink's advantage is chart position (#111 vs unranked) and ratings volume (9.1K vs 2.7K). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. xHP Flashtool asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

xHP Flashtool holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.1K and 2.7K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of BimmerLink's written reviews are positive against 94% of xHP Flashtool's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, xHP Flashtool weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
BimmerLink versus xHP Flashtool: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBimmerLinkxHP Flashtool
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (9.1K ratings)4.9 (2.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.1% of reviews94.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.1K — better2.7K
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#111 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB275 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSG Software GmbH & Co. KGxAutomotive GmbH

Customer experience

BimmerLink

All ratings9,088 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral2.1%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews539 reviews
Positive53.1%
Neutral10.8%
Negative36.2%

xHP Flashtool

All ratings2,714 ratings
Positive98.6%
Neutral0.4%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews270 reviews
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%

User reviews

BimmerLink

From 9.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Useful features
  • 💡 Helpful for DIY maintenance
  • 🚀 Saved money on repairs
  • 🚀 Cleared error codes

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Inaccurate sensor readings
  • 🐛 Doesn't work as advertised
  • 💰 Expensive for limited functionality
  • 🐛 Resets settings after car turned off

xHP Flashtool

From 2.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Improved performance and responsiveness
  • 👍 Easy to use and customize
  • 🔧 Excellent customer support
  • 💥 Significant driving experience enhancement
  • 🏎️ Faster and more responsive shifts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues
  • 🔍 Compatibility concerns with newer vehicles
  • 💰 Perceived high cost of license

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

xHP Flashtool

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes during reflash process
  • Inability to sign out of account with wrong email

Requested features

3 requests
  • Expand compatibility to more vehicle models
  • Offer more affordable licensing options
  • Implement demo/trial mode for potential users

In-app purchases

2 purchases

BimmerLink

One-time2
  • CarPlay Add-On$9.99
  • BimmerLink full version$39.99
None

xHP Flashtool

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BimmerLink free?
BimmerLink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is xHP Flashtool free?
xHP Flashtool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BimmerLink or xHP Flashtool?
xHP Flashtool is rated higher. BimmerLink averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while xHP Flashtool averages 4.9 from 2.7K ratings.
Do BimmerLink or xHP Flashtool have ads?
Neither BimmerLink nor xHP Flashtool shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BimmerLink or xHP Flashtool?
BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, and xHP Flashtool weekly. Most recently, BimmerLink was updated on September 24, 2026 and xHP Flashtool on September 23, 2026.

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