# First vs DAWN Inspector

The clearest difference is rating: DAWN Inspector at 4.0 against First's 2.2. DAWN Inspector also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 17%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). First's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

DAWN Inspector holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: First has 17 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of First's written reviews are positive against 50% of DAWN Inspector's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | First | DAWN Inspector |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-link/id1203747139/reviews) | **[4.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawn-inspector-carb-approved/id6449002686/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **17** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 128 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Snap-on Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/501219324) | [HEM Data Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1654791950) |

## What reviewers say

### First

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-link/id1203747139)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### DAWN Inspector

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawn-inspector-carb-approved/id6449002686)

This app connects to your vehicle's network to perform emissions tests. It guides you through a quick, two-minute process to ensure your car meets CARB standards.

**Highlights:** CARB-approved emissions testing, Vehicle network connection, Quick 2-minute test completion, Engine on test initiation, Hardware attachment required

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is First free?

First is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DAWN Inspector free?

DAWN Inspector is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, First or DAWN Inspector?

DAWN Inspector is rated higher. First averages 2.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while DAWN Inspector averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do First or DAWN Inspector have ads?

Neither First nor DAWN Inspector shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, First or DAWN Inspector?

First ships an update every 5 months, and DAWN Inspector every 2 months. Most recently, First was updated on November 5, 2026 and DAWN Inspector on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*