Comparison

BimmerLink vs Papertrail Auto

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

Papertrail Auto

This app helps car owners meticulously document their vehicles, from basic specs to maintenance history and memorable journeys. It offers AI-powered input, secure cloud storage, and the ability to generate presentations or transfer ownership records.

Highlights
  • Detailed vehicle documentation
  • AI-powered data input
  • Photo and description uploads
  • Create car 'Stories'
  • Generate PDF/web presentations
  • Transfer ownership records
  • Encrypted cloud storage
Features
Read full description

Are you a restorer, DIYer, or simply a caring owner of cars? This Winter, up your organization game with Papertrail! We aim to be the #1 platform for vehicle documentation and logging. Store pictures and details. Secure your vehicle's legacy in our encrypted cloud. Access them from any device anywhere. Present or transfer them to others. It's simply amazing! Key Features: Detailed Documentation: Keep track of everything from basic info like make and model to intricate details like modifications and maintenance. Our AI-powered input makes logging details quick and accurate. Add in your favorite photos to make each entry more personal! Upload photos, descriptions, and cost. Great for big car restoration projects and day-to-day maintenance. Tell Your Car's Story: Document your memorable trips, restoration projects, or car shows in 'Stories', adding a personal touch to your car's history. Share your adventures, road trips, or projects. Present Your Car: Generate a webpage or a PDF presentation of your car's records and stories - ideal for sharing with others or when listing your car for sale. Showcase your journey and history with stunning presentations. Transfer History: Selling your ride? Our easy-to-use interface lets you transfer all the records and stories to the new owner, keeping the legacy intact. Ensure the new owner appreciates the legacy and care. Private & Secure: Your records are private until you decide to share them. And with our cloud-based storage, you won't lose your records even if you lose your phone. Rest easy knowing that eveyrthing is stored in the cloud. Why Choose Papertrail? - Comprehensive Vehicle Log: Capture every detail from specs to special moments of your Lamborghini or classic cars. - AI-Powered Input: Quickly and accurately log details with our advanced AI technology. - Immersive Storytelling: Create a living document of your car’s adventures. - Effortless Sharing: Showcase your car’s history with stunning presentations. - Seamless Ownership Transfers: Ensure continuity of your car’s legacy. - Robust Security: Keep your data safe with private and secure cloud storage. - At Papertrail, we're not just about storing data; we're about preserving the passion and pride of car ownership. Become a part of a growing community of car lovers who understand the importance of documenting and celebrating their automotive journeys. Download Papertrail today and start telling your car's story! Some brands on the platform: Chevrolet, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, Tesla, Lamborghini. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.papertrail.tech/policies/terms

Screenshots

BimmerLink4 screens
Papertrail Auto4 screens

Verdict

The call

BimmerLink and Papertrail Auto both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of Papertrail Auto's written reviews are positive against 54% of BimmerLink's. Papertrail Auto also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). BimmerLink's advantage is ratings volume (9.1K vs 24) and chart position (#91 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 Papertrail Auto sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $15.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for BimmerLink against 4.8 for Papertrail Auto. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BimmerLink has 9.1K ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of BimmerLink's written reviews are positive against 83% of Papertrail Auto's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, Papertrail Auto every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
BimmerLink versus Papertrail Auto: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBimmerLinkPapertrail Auto
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (9.1K ratings)4.8 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.1K — better24
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#91 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB149 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSG Software GmbH & Co. KGPapertrail Technologies LLC

Customer experience

BimmerLink

All ratings9,131 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral2.1%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews549 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative35.9%

Papertrail Auto

All ratings24 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%

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

Papertrail Auto

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

Papertrail Auto

Subscriptions1
  • Papertrail Pro7 Days trial$15.991 Month

Questions

Is BimmerLink free?
BimmerLink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Papertrail Auto free?
Papertrail Auto is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BimmerLink or Papertrail Auto?
Papertrail Auto is rated higher. BimmerLink averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while Papertrail Auto averages 4.8 from 24 ratings.
Do BimmerLink or Papertrail Auto have ads?
Neither BimmerLink nor Papertrail Auto shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BimmerLink or Papertrail Auto?
BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, and Papertrail Auto every 4 days. Most recently, BimmerLink was updated on October 16, 2026 and Papertrail Auto on September 22, 2026.

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