Comparison

DTNA eLink vs First

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

Head to head
About

DTNA eLink

This app connects to heavy trucks to monitor vehicle health, diagnose issues like check engine lights, and access important operational information. It provides access to manuals, maintenance schedules, and service locations to help drivers increase truck uptime.

Highlights
  • Vehicle health monitoring
  • Diagnostic fault code explanation
  • Maintenance schedule and fluid capacities
  • Access to driver and operator manuals
  • Service locator
  • Trip information tracking
Features
Read full description

DTNA eLink is an app that provides important features to the driver/operator of a Freightliner or Western Star heavy truck. These features help the driver connect the phone to the diagnostic port and monitor the vehicle health status and increase the truck uptime. And if a check engine light is on, the app can help the driver understand the cause and seek assistance, if needed. Features include: • Vehicle Guides • Dash light library – explanation of all the dash/instrument cluster lights • Fluid (engine oil) capacities for specific Detroit® engine applications • Maintenance schedule – provides the mileage interval based on short/long haul application and details of items covered in each schedule • Feature guides – quick access to new vehicle features that require specific instructions to understand and properly operate • Notes – provides a way to take quick notes and attach pictures • Manuals – Driver and Operator manuals for specific vehicles can be accessed in electronic format • Connect to Vehicle (requires compatible Bluetooth or Wi-Fi adaptor) • Fault codes – Active and Inactive fault codes present at the time of connection are displayed. Red fault codes are active, yellow codes are inactive • Fluid levels – A quick glance at coolant, DEF and fuel levels displayed in percentage • Vehicle information – Vehicle information including VIN, ECU software and hardware in formation • Trip information – Includes trip specific information related to fuel usage, miles, maximum speed, cruise control speed, hours of operation, etc. • Service Locator – Use the current location or City, State / ZIP code to look up Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit® engine service/dealer locations nearby. Compatible vehicle connection adaptor: • NEXIQ Blue-Link™ Mini • Nexiq USB- Link 2 WiFi These adaptors are available and can be purchased from diagnosticlink.nexiq.com

About

First

Connect your mobile device to a commercial vehicle's diagnostic port to monitor its health status. Understand fault codes, view vehicle specifications, and track trip data to improve uptime and aid in service and repair.

Highlights
  • Connect to vehicle diagnostic port
  • Monitor vehicle health status
  • View active and inactive fault codes
  • Display vehicle specifications (VIN, ECU info)
  • Track trip data (fuel, miles, speed, hours)
  • Generate and share vehicle reports
Features
Read full description

NEXIQ First-Link™ is an application that provides important features to the drivers and service technicians of commercial vehicles and equipment. These features help the driver connect the mobile device to the diagnostic port; they also monitor the vehicle's health status and increase the vehicle's uptime. If a Check Engine Light is illuminated, the application assists the driver to understand the cause so that he can seek assistance (i.e., service and repair), if needed. Service technicians can utilize the information gathered by the application to aid in vehicle service and repair. Features include: • Faults – Active and Inactive fault codes present at the time of connection are displayed. • Vehicle Specs – Vehicle information including VIN, ECU software and hardware information is displayed. • Life / Trip – Displays trip-specific information related to fuel usage, miles, maximum speed, cruise control speed, hours of operation, etc. • Parameters – Displays parameters specific to the modules on the vehicle (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.) • Report – Generates a session-specific report containing vehicle information (i.e., faults, vehicle specs, parameters, and life/trip information); can be uploaded to the cloud, emailed, etc. • Sharing - Enables the driver to share vehicle information gathered to dispatch, service providers, etc. • OnCommand® Support - Optional feature to allow users to upload health reports to the OnCommand® servers. • Blue-Link Mini firmware update to v1.09, if the adapter has older firmware.

Screenshots

DTNA eLink4 screens
First2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DTNA eLink at 4.3 against First's 2.2. First's advantage is review sentiment (17% vs 0%) and ratings volume (17 vs 4). On price, update cadence, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DTNA eLink holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 17 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of DTNA eLink's written reviews are positive against 17% of First's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DTNA eLink ships an update every 3 months, First every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DTNA eLink versus First: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDTNA eLinkFirst
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (4 ratings) — better2.2 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews16.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings417 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size109 MB128 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaimler Truck North America LLCSnap-on Inc.

Customer experience

DTNA eLink

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

First

All ratings16 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative62.5%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

DTNA eLink

No in-app purchases

None

First

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DTNA eLink free?
DTNA eLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is First free?
First is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DTNA eLink or First?
DTNA eLink is rated higher. DTNA eLink averages 4.3 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while First averages 2.2 from 17 ratings.
Do DTNA eLink or First have ads?
Neither DTNA eLink nor First shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DTNA eLink or First?
DTNA eLink ships an update every 3 months, and First every 5 months. Most recently, DTNA eLink was updated on November 2, 2026 and First on November 5, 2026.

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