Comparison

BimmerLink vs xProtect

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

xProtect

This app transforms your car's existing controls into a robust security system. Create a unique code that must be entered before driving, rendering the vehicle immobile if unauthorized access is attempted. It requires a specific Wi-Fi adapter for installation.

Highlights
  • Customizable security code
  • Immobilizes vehicle without code
  • Uses existing car controls
  • Requires Wi-Fi adapter
  • No permanent modifications
  • Full app control
Features
Read full description

Protect Your BMW with a Code only you know! xProtect turns your car’s existing controls into a powerful security feature. This app lets you create a unique code that must be entered inside your vehicle before driving. Without the correct code, the car remains stationary — even if someone has copied your key or hijacked the remote signal. All you need is our xA Ultra Wi-Fi adapter (or compatible) for installing xProtect to your car. No permanent modifications are required. How It Works • Connect the App to your car via our xA Ultra Wi-Fi adapter. • Create a custom code inside the xProtect app, using your vehicle’s existing controls. • Enter the code before driving. • Wrong code or no code? The car won’t move. No additional hardware installations are required. No rewiring. Just smart protection. Why You’ll Love It • Advanced theft protection even against the latest tamper technology • Only requires our xA Ultra Wi-Fi adapter — no vehicle installation • Uses existing vehicle controls • Customizable code — change it anytime • Discreet and effective — invisible and impossible to remove for the bad guys • Full control through the app Smart Security, made simple Modern car theft requires modern anti theft solutions. Add an extra level of protection that only you control — directly from your phone. No code. No drive. Note xProtect is an additional access feature and does not replace or modify factory-installed vehicle security or safety systems. Supported functions may vary depending on vehicle model and configuration.

Screenshots

BimmerLink4 screens
xProtect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: xProtect at 100% against BimmerLink's 54%. xProtect also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). BimmerLink's advantage is ratings volume (9.1K vs 6) and chart position (#100 vs unranked). 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. xProtect asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

xProtect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BimmerLink has 9.1K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of BimmerLink's written reviews are positive against 100% of xProtect's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, xProtect weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
BimmerLink versus xProtect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBimmerLinkxProtect
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (9.1K ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.1K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#100 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB267 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSG Software GmbH & Co. KGxAutomotive GmbH

Customer experience

BimmerLink

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

xProtect

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

xProtect

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
None

xProtect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BimmerLink free?
BimmerLink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is xProtect free?
xProtect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BimmerLink or xProtect?
xProtect is rated higher. BimmerLink averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while xProtect averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do BimmerLink or xProtect have ads?
Neither BimmerLink nor xProtect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BimmerLink or xProtect?
BimmerLink ships an update every 4 weeks, and xProtect weekly. Most recently, BimmerLink was updated on October 14, 2026 and xProtect on October 7, 2026.

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