ANCEL vs ThinkDriver
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ANCEL
This app connects to your car via an OBD2 Bluetooth scanner to diagnose faults, read data like fault codes and sensor readings, and clear error lights. It also offers battery health checks, a customizable dashboard, and driving assistance features. Some models support special functions like maintenance resets.
- OBD2 Bluetooth scanner connectivity
- Fault code reading and clearing
- Frozen frame and sensor data display
- Battery health and voltage detection
- Customizable dashboard
- Driving assistance functions
- Special functions (maintenance reset, etc.)
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ANCEL can read data from car with the OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner. It has a powerful fault diagnosis function, which can read fault codes, frozen frames, oxygen sensors and other data, and provide fault explanations, which can be used to clear the codes and turn off the Malfunction Indicator Lamp. With the necessary battery detection function, you can use the mobile phone screen to click to check the health and voltage of your battery. It supports OBD2 full-mode diagnosis, and also have a customizable dashboard and some driving assistance functions. For some models of scanner, some special functions are also supported, such as maintenance reset, replacement of brake pads, and throttle reset, etc. It is a powerful and simple operation vehicle detection and driving assistance tool. Welcome to download and use it.
ThinkDriver
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.
- Full system vehicle diagnostics
- Advanced OBDII alternative
- Immediate issue detection
- DIY car maintenance helper
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THINKDRIVER, a DIY diagnostic product, which is extremely close to professional diagnostic tools, goodbye to normal OBDII dongle. THINKDRIVER can let all car owners to test the full system of the vehicle, much more than the OBDII. Now, THINKDRIVER will be the best helper for every car owner! This is the ultimate car diagnostic connector that allows you to easily and immediately know whether you should be aware of any issues with your car.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ThinkDriver at 4.5 against ANCEL's 2.6. ThinkDriver also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 24%) and ratings volume (270 vs 43). ANCEL's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid). 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
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 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThinkDriver has 270 ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of ANCEL's written reviews are positive against 58% of ThinkDriver's.
ANCEL ships an update every 2 months, ThinkDriver monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 1, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ANCEL | ThinkDriver |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.6 (43 ratings) | 4.5 (270 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 23.5% of reviews | 57.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 43 | 270 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 402 MB | 325 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | OBDSPACE TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD | THINKCAR INC |
Customer experience
ANCEL
ThinkDriver
Bugs and requests
ANCEL
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
ThinkDriver
Reported bugs
10 issues- 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
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- Doesn't recognize older cars (pre-2014)
- App ALWAYS crashes
- Machine doesn't read VIN
- App falls when needing special functions
- Doesn't work when VIN manual entry fails
Requested features
2 requests- Add payment with Apple Cash
- Install just a code scanner icon
In-app purchases
ANCEL
No in-app purchases
ThinkDriver
No in-app purchases
