Comparison

ThinkCar vs ELMCheck

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

Head to head
About

ThinkCar

This app connects to a compatible OBD2 scan tool to diagnose vehicle issues and provide detailed health reports. It offers real-time data, full system inspections, and a community forum for car enthusiasts and mechanics.

Highlights
  • Real-time vehicle data dashboard
  • Full OBD2 functions (10 modes)
  • Enhanced full vehicle systems inspection
  • OBD2 data recording (Black Box)
  • Online community for car enthusiasts
Features
Read full description

Scan to know your vehicle and say goodbye to unknown check engine lights! (ThinkCar1 or 1S is required.) Nowadays vehicle repair and maintenance is expensive. You need a premium powerful scan tool which you can trust. Thinkcar is a professional OBD2 scan tool which provides full OBD functions and enhanced full vehicle modules health report. It also featured with premium functions like Real-Time Remote Diagnostic, vehicle Black Box (OBD data recording) and Online Community. Those unique premium features will bring your scan experience to next level. Our Thinkcar APP is free for installation. Thinkcar adapter will read vehicle data through OBD2 port, and transfer them to Thinkcar App via Bluetooth for review. We apply same diagnostic technology from Launch Tech, which is the world leader in vehicle diagnostic industry, **Features(ThinkCar1 or 1S is required.) 1. Real-time dashboard Vehicle useful data will be displayed in the form of meters and graphs on the phone to show the vehicle status, which is vivid, professional and clear at a glance. 2. Powerful diagnostic and inspection functions 2-1 Full OBD2 functions (10 modes): • Read trouble code • Clear trouble code • I/M Readiness / SMOG check • Multi data stream (PIDs) graphing • Freeze frame data • Mode 6 (On-Board Monitoring Test Results) • Oxygen sensor monitoring 2-2 Enhanced full vehicle systems inspection, one-key clear code: Enhanced full vehicle inspection will scan all vehicle modules including engine, transmission, ABS, SRS, TPMS and more. Wide coverage which nobody can match, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mercury, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Pontiac, Ram, Rolls Royce, Saturn, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo. Once scan is completed, will generate a certified vehicle health report by Thinkcar. The report contains details of all systems of the vehicle. If there is something wrong of the vehicle, the report will have a detailed fault description, so that you will know about the cause of the fault and perform needed maintenance and repair. 2-3 Black box (OBD2 data recording) Thinkcar can record OBD2 live data while the vehicle is running, so technicians can play back/review saved data to find the faults quickly and easily. 3. Online community: Thinkcar App offers a social media platform for vehicle owners, DIYers, professional mechanics to share useful tips and get help from others. On our community, there are tremendous useful tips, fun pictures and videos waiting for you to discover. No purchase is needed to visit our community, just simply download/install our Thinkcar App and register an account. JOIN US TODAY!

About

ELMCheck

Verify the authenticity and functionality of your OBD-II scanner. This app runs comprehensive tests on ELM327 commands to report supported features, ensuring safe and reliable use with your vehicle.

Highlights
  • Authenticity testing for OBD-II scanners
  • Comprehensive ELM327 command test suite
  • Reports actual supported features
  • Ensures safe scanner usage
  • Basic tests are free
  • Unlock full suite with in-app purchase
Features
Read full description

Check the authenticity of your OBD-II scanner with ELMCheck. Most OBD-II scanners on the market use some variation of ELM327, but did you know that many scanners use clones of the original ELM327? It can be hard to tell, because these clones will work well enough for basic use but fail in unexpected scenarios. This is where ELMCheck comes in. ELMCheck offers a comprehensive set of test cases that cover the entire documented set of ELM327 commands. Regardless of which version your scanner says it is, ELMCheck can provide a comprehensive report of the features that are actually supported. Get the confidence you need to use your OBD-II scanner on your vehicle safely. ELMCheck is free to run basic tests. An in-app purchase will unlock the full test suite.

Screenshots

ThinkCar4 screens
ELMCheck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ELMCheck at 100% against ThinkCar's 37%. ELMCheck also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.8) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). ThinkCar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (49 vs 1). On price, 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. ELMCheck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ThinkCar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ELMCheck holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThinkCar has 49 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of ThinkCar's written reviews are positive against 100% of ELMCheck's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ThinkCar ships an update monthly, ELMCheck every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ThinkCar versus ELMCheck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThinkCarELMCheck
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (49 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings49 — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size234 MB6 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTHINKCAR INCFearless design, LLC

Customer experience

ThinkCar

All ratings49 ratings
Positive40.8%
Neutral8.2%
Negative51.0%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive36.7%
Neutral10.0%
Negative53.3%

ELMCheck

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

ThinkCar

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ELMCheck

One-time1
  • Comprehensive testing$2.99

Questions

Is ThinkCar free?
ThinkCar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ELMCheck free?
ELMCheck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ThinkCar or ELMCheck?
ELMCheck is rated higher. ThinkCar averages 2.8 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while ELMCheck averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ThinkCar or ELMCheck have ads?
Neither ThinkCar nor ELMCheck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ThinkCar or ELMCheck?
ThinkCar ships an update monthly, and ELMCheck every 10 days. Most recently, ThinkCar was updated on September 19, 2026 and ELMCheck on September 16, 2026.

Other comparisons