# OBD Mate vs ThinkDriver

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ThinkDriver at 58% against OBD Mate's 9%. ThinkDriver also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.8) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). OBD Mate's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

ThinkDriver holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 115 and 270 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 9% of OBD Mate's written reviews are positive against 58% of ThinkDriver's.

OBD Mate ships an update every 5 weeks, ThinkDriver monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OBD Mate | ThinkDriver |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obd-mate/id1405374762/reviews) | **[4.5 (270 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinkdriver/id1502233364/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 115 | **270** |
| Positive reviews | 9.4% of reviews | **57.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 365 MB | 325 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Autophix Tech Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/650288249) | [THINKCAR INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1464847379) |

## What reviewers say

### OBD Mate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obd-mate/id1405374762)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ThinkDriver

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinkdriver/id1502233364)

This diagnostic tool allows car owners to perform full system vehicle checks, going beyond standard OBDII functionality. It provides immediate insights into potential car issues, acting as a comprehensive helper for vehicle maintenance.

**Highlights:** Full system vehicle diagnostics, Advanced OBDII alternative, Immediate issue detection, DIY car maintenance helper

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works like professionals
- 👍 Handy tool for car
- 👍 Versatile and helpful
- 👍 Great tools for car
- 👍 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Pay again for lifetime access
- 😞 Terrible support, no response
- 😞 Useless device, keeps shutting down
- 😞 Scanner does not work
- 😞 Customer service unhelpful

**Reported bugs**

- Keeps shutting down during scan
- Scanner does not work
- Not working with 2022 subscription update
- Device won't work after getting a new phone
- Keeps asking to activate device, then pay again

**Requested features**

- Add payment with Apple Cash
- Install just a code scanner icon


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OBD Mate free?

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

### Is ThinkDriver free?

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

### Which has better reviews, OBD Mate or ThinkDriver?

ThinkDriver is rated higher. OBD Mate averages 1.8 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while ThinkDriver averages 4.5 from 270 ratings.

### Do OBD Mate or ThinkDriver have ads?

Neither OBD Mate nor ThinkDriver shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OBD Mate or ThinkDriver?

OBD Mate ships an update every 5 weeks, and ThinkDriver monthly. Most recently, OBD Mate was updated on October 14, 2026 and ThinkDriver on October 7, 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.*