# Carbly VIN Scanner vs PrivateAuto

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: PrivateAuto at 13.0 against Carbly VIN Scanner's 15.6. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

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

Carbly VIN Scanner holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 29 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 71% and 71% positive.

Carbly VIN Scanner ships an update every 6 weeks, PrivateAuto every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Carbly VIN Scanner | PrivateAuto |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carbly-vin-scanner/id1326227629/reviews)** | [3.8 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/privateauto/id1614271597/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **53** | 29 |
| Positive reviews | 70.8% of reviews | **71.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 89 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ambient Automotive, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1326227628) | [Private Auto Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614271599) |

## What reviewers say

### Carbly VIN Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carbly-vin-scanner/id1326227629)

This app provides automotive professionals with real-time market data, appraisal tools, and auction search capabilities to optimize vehicle buying and selling. It offers VIN scanning, competitor pricing analysis, and inventory management features to maximize profit.

**Highlights:** VIN scanning (text/barcode), Market data and pricing, Auction search and runlists, Inventory management, Competitor pricing analysis, Vehicle history report integration

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### PrivateAuto

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/privateauto/id1614271597)

Facilitate private car sales with enhanced security and convenience. Verify buyer and seller identities, schedule test drives, and securely transfer funds directly through the app. Streamline the entire selling and buying process with digital tools and instant payment options.

**Highlights:** Buyer and seller ID verification, Vehicle history reports, In-app chat and scheduling, Digital Bill of Sale e-signing, Instant and secure fund transfers, Buyer financing options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Carbly VIN Scanner free?

Carbly VIN Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PrivateAuto free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Carbly VIN Scanner or PrivateAuto?

Carbly VIN Scanner is rated higher. Carbly VIN Scanner averages 3.9 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while PrivateAuto averages 3.8 from 29 ratings.

### Do Carbly VIN Scanner or PrivateAuto have ads?

Neither Carbly VIN Scanner nor PrivateAuto shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Carbly VIN Scanner or PrivateAuto?

Carbly VIN Scanner ships an update every 6 weeks, and PrivateAuto every 3 weeks. Most recently, Carbly VIN Scanner was updated on November 2, 2026 and PrivateAuto on November 3, 2026.

---

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