Comparison

Kiwi OBD vs OBD Mate

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

Head to head
About

Kiwi OBD

This app transforms your smartphone into a comprehensive automotive diagnostic and performance tool. Monitor real-time vehicle data, diagnose check engine lights, and analyze driving efficiency. It also offers video overlay for performance tracking and data logging.

Highlights
  • Multi-parameter customizable dashboard
  • Fuel efficiency monitoring with DriveGreen™
  • Check engine light diagnostics and code clearing
  • Real-time data logging with video overlay
  • Performance metrics (0-60 times, horsepower, torque)
  • Award-winning hardware interface compatibility
Read full description

-Overview Kiwi OBD is a professional dashboard, trip computer, OBD II scan tool, performance meter, driving efficiency monitor and more for your car. Designed in Silicon Valley, California, coupled with the SEMA award winning Kiwi OBD hardware interface by PLX Devices, this Kiwi OBD is 6 Apps in 1 making it the ultimate automotive tool kit. -MultiGauge™ Display up to 125 parameters in 6 preset modes (dashboard, engine, efficiency, trip, gear, and custom). This professional customizable dash was designed to outperform even the most expensive cars. -Fuel Efficiency with DriveGreen™ Drive smarter. Studies performed by fueleconomy.gov show that 33% of fuel is wasted simply by inefficient driving habits. Our proprietary award winning Kiwi Drive Green driving behavior algorithms provide optimal fuel efficiency feedback for any vehicle or driving conditions. Kiwi Drive Green receives sensor inputs, 'learns' your driving styles, and computes it into a 'Kiwi Score.' As you drive, the app conveniently displays your score alongside other fuel efficiency parameters. -Diagnostics Diagnose your check engine light without the hassle of visiting your dealer or mechanic. View the specific Error Codes, Pending Codes, Permanent Codes, Freeze Frame, Readiness Monitors as well as a simple description of the problem, from the convenience of your home. Once the problem has been addressed simply press reset to clear the code. -Data Logging and Video Overlay Capture live video with real-time data overlay. A great tool for driving trips, fleet vehicles, auto cross, and track days, Video Overlay mode simultaneously captures video and sensor readings to provide you with professional video feedback of your drive with superimposed real-time sensor data. Analyze vehicle performance. Select from up to 125 sensors to record, pause, stop, playback and export your data. -Performance (Coming soon) Measure your vehicle's true performance without spending $1000s on dynamometer testing, track testing, or drag strip runs. Kiwi measures real-time horsepower and torque and other metrics such as 0-60 times, 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile times, skidpad, inclinometer and more. -Kiwi Hardware Compatibility Kiwi 4 is more than a versatile OBD scan tool. Includes all the features and app compatibility of the Kiwi 3 with the following game changing new features. • 8 times faster than closest competitor with Kiwi OBD App • Integrated Micro SD card for data logging • Integrated speaker with audible warning/alerts • Built-in competition grade accelerometer • Selectable smartphone and self-run mode Kiwi 3 is a feature packed car to smartphone interface. Up to 4 times faster than the nearest competitor, Kiwi 3 uses ultra low power, installs in seconds, and can be left permanently installed in your vehicle. Kiwi 3 is compatible with all standard OBDII protocols and is able to update firmware via Bluetooth. When inserted into your OBDII port, Kiwi 3 sits just 0.68 inches thin making it the smallest, most discrete OBDII adapter. -Available Parameters *Not all OBDII compliant vehicles support all of the following parameters --Engine: Vehicle,Engine Speed Coolant Temperature Short,Long Term Fuel Trims Fuel Pressure,Level MAF,MAP Timing Advance Intake,Ambient Air Temperature Throttle Position Oxygen Sensor Voltages Barometric Pressure Catalytic Converter Temperature ECU Voltage Gear --Fuel Efficiency: MPG, km/l, L-100km 0-5 Min, 0-30 Min, 0-2 Hours Fuel Flow CO2 Emissions Kiwi Score, Smoothness, Drag, Accel, Decel --Trip: MPG, km/l, L-100km $ Used,Saved Trip Distance Traveled Fuel Used,Remaining Fuel Flow Average/Max Vehicle,Engine Speed Average,Maximum Engine Power,Torque Maximum CO2 Emission Rate Average,Maximum Kiwi Score Average --Emissions: Clear,Reset Engine Trouble Code Scan Trouble Codes with Fault Descriptions

About

OBD Mate

Diagnose vehicle faults and receive driving assistance using your smartphone or tablet. Connect via Bluetooth to read and clear error codes, monitor sensor data, and view custom dashboards for a better driving experience.

Highlights
  • Fault diagnosis
  • Driving assistance
  • Read and clear codes
  • Freeze frame data
  • O2 sensor monitoring
  • Customizable dashboard
Features
Read full description

The OBD assistant is a driving companion that can communicate with the vehicle terminal through Bluetooth using smartphones and tablets to complete functions such as fault diagnosis and driving assistance. It not only has rich and comprehensive vehicle detection and diagnosis functions such as fault code reading and clearing, freeze frames, battery voltage, gearbox, and performance testing, but also has a cool instrument panel and driving assistance functions, making driving more fun.

Screenshots

Kiwi OBD4 screens
OBD Mate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OBD Mate at none against Kiwi OBD's 3. OBD Mate also leads on rating (1.8 vs 1.3) and ratings volume (115 vs 38). Kiwi OBD's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. Kiwi OBD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. OBD Mate asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OBD Mate holds the better App Store score, 1.8 against 1.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 115 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 13% of Kiwi OBD's written reviews are positive against 9% of OBD Mate's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kiwi OBD ships an update fortnightly, OBD Mate every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Kiwi OBD versus OBD Mate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKiwi OBDOBD Mate
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.3 (38 ratings)1.8 (115 ratings) — better
Positive reviews13.2% of reviews — better9.4% of reviews
Number of ratings38115 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB365 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPLX Devices, INC.Autophix Tech Co., Ltd

Customer experience

Kiwi OBD

All ratings37 ratings
Positive8.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative91.9%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive13.2%
Neutral1.3%
Negative85.5%

OBD Mate

All ratings115 ratings
Positive17.4%
Neutral5.2%
Negative77.4%
Written reviews96 reviews
Positive9.4%
Neutral7.3%
Negative83.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Kiwi OBD

One-time3
  • Video Overlay License$4.99
  • Kiwi OBD Data Logging License$4.99
  • Kiwi OBD Basic License$9.99
None

OBD Mate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kiwi OBD free?
Kiwi OBD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OBD Mate free?
OBD Mate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kiwi OBD or OBD Mate?
OBD Mate is rated higher. Kiwi OBD averages 1.3 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while OBD Mate averages 1.8 from 115 ratings.
Do Kiwi OBD or OBD Mate have ads?
Neither Kiwi OBD nor OBD Mate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kiwi OBD or OBD Mate?
Kiwi OBD ships an update fortnightly, and OBD Mate every 5 weeks. Most recently, Kiwi OBD was updated on October 24, 2026 and OBD Mate on October 22, 2026.

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