Comparison

Plate Lookup vs VIN decoder & VIN code scanner

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

Head to head
About

Plate Lookup

Instantly access comprehensive vehicle information by entering a license plate or VIN. Get details on specs, history, market value, damage, and recalls. Ideal for professionals in the auto industry and buyers researching used cars.

Highlights
  • VIN Decoder
  • License Plate Lookup
  • VIN Scanner
  • License Plate Scanner
  • Vehicle History Report
  • Market Value Check
  • Damage Marking Tool
Features
Read full description

Looking for a used car? Want to learn more about a vehicle? Working in towing, detailing, auto repair, bodywork, dealerships, insurance, fleet management, or any other auto related industry? This epic app is perfect for you! Enter a license plate or VIN and quickly get information on vehicle specs, auction records, sales records, VIN history, accident and salvage records, market values, recalls, owners, equipment and features, damages, and many other details. Key Features: VIN DECODER - Instantly decode any vin using our our advanced decoder engine to reveal make, model, year, engine type, trim, drivetrain, recalls, and other vehicle details. LICENSE PLATE LOOKUP - No VIN? No problem. Enter a license plate and retrieve vin in seconds. VIN SCANNER - Epic VIN scanner to avoid typing 17 digits by hand and quickly lookup vehicles. LICENSE PLATE SCANNER - Use your phone's camera instead of typing to make the process even faster. VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT - Run a quick vin check to get insights on previous owners, sales history, title issues, recalls, accident records, damage records, services, title brands, and any other related information - like a vehicle wiki in your pocket. NMVTIS approved providers vehicle history reports from EpicVIN and VINdata can be purchased directly in the app. MARKET VALUE - Check real-time vehicle market value and detailed specs including MPG, towing capacity, and safety ratings. DAMAGE MARKING TOOL - Visually mark dents, scratches, or collision damage directly on vehicle diagrams, anything from front bumper to rear bumper. PHOTO UPLOADS - Take and upload photos of the vehicle for documentation or inspection. RECALLS - Instantly see any manufacturer recall notices or defects tied to the vin. SALES RECORDS - Track ownership transfers and dealer resales to verify vehicle history. ADVANCED SEARCH - Easily find and filter past vehicle lookups to revisit reports or track jobs. Perfect For: • Buyers researching before a purchase • Towing services and roadside assistance • Auto detailing, paint correction, and reconditioning • Repair shops and technicians • Car dealerships and used vehicle sales • Insurance adjusters and claim inspectors • Fleet managers and vehicle operators Have a feature idea? hello@platelookup.app Terms of use: https://platelookup.app/terms

About

VIN decoder & VIN code scanner

Instantly decode any vehicle's VIN with this app. It offers both manual input and a VIN scanner for quick, accurate vehicle information, including auction history and average pricing.

Highlights
  • VIN code decoding
  • Real-time VIN scanner
  • VIN code recognition from text
  • Auction participation check
  • Average vehicle price estimation
  • VIN code validation
Features
Read full description

Our VIN Decoder & VIN Check app is the ultimate tool for checking a car's VIN code. Simply input the 17 digits of your VIN number, and our app will provide you with a wealth of information about the vehicle. To make the process even faster and more efficient, we have included a VIN scanner that can read the VIN code automatically, saving you the hassle of entering the information manually. VIN code recognition directly from text in real-time — swift, eliminating the need for picture-taking. Incredibly convenient in scenarios where a barcode is absent or obscured by pollution and other factors. For optimal functionality when using the VIN scanner, it is essential to ensure that the Vehicle Identification Number is clean and free from any contaminants. It is advisable to use a VIN recognizer in instances where the VIN code is polluted or corrupted. When utilizing the VIN recognizer, you should double-check a VIN to ensure its accuracy before proceeding with the decoding process. Enhanced VIN check - additional VIN code validation to ensure accurate entry. For those who are unfamiliar with what a VIN code is, it stands for Vehicle Identification Number, which is a unique identification code consisting of 17 symbols that are assigned to every car, bus, truck, or trailer at the time of production. Moreover, our app not only provides information about the car, but it can also tell you if the vehicle has participated in auctions and provide you with the average price of the vehicle if such data is available. With our VIN Decoder and VIN check app, you can have all the information you need about a vehicle right at your fingertips. To ensure the VIN check works correctly, make sure your network connection is active and stable. The VIN Decoder & VIN Check app is not responsible for the accuracy of the information it publishes, including technical data, features, specifications, and indicators. Manufacturers' logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Plate Lookup4 screens
VIN decoder & VIN code scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

Plate Lookup and VIN decoder & VIN code scanner both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of VIN decoder & VIN code scanner's written reviews are positive against 52% of Plate Lookup's. VIN decoder & VIN code scanner also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). Plate Lookup's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3.7K vs 112). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Plate Lookup sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and VIN decoder & VIN code scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Plate Lookup against 4.7 for VIN decoder & VIN code scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Plate Lookup has 3.7K ratings behind it against 112, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Plate Lookup's written reviews are positive against 100% of VIN decoder & VIN code scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Plate Lookup ships an update every 8 days, VIN decoder & VIN code scanner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Plate Lookup versus VIN decoder & VIN code scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlate LookupVIN decoder & VIN code scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.7K ratings) — better4.7 (112 ratings)
Positive reviews52.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.7K — better112
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlate Lookup LLCVitaliy Mischenko

Customer experience

Plate Lookup

All ratings3,373 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral2.4%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews123 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral6.5%
Negative41.5%

VIN decoder & VIN code scanner

All ratings112 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.9%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Plate Lookup

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Errors and server issues
  • Compatibility problems
  • Inconsistent functionality

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add Canadian provinces
  • Add more countries
  • Allow deleting search history

VIN decoder & VIN code scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Plate Lookup

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Lite3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Monthly$24.991 Month
  • 3 Months$59.993 Months
One-time6
  • 1 Vehicle History Report$9.99
  • 50 credits$9.99
  • 3 Vehicle History Reports$19.99
Show 3 more
  • 150 credits$19.99
  • 10 Vehicle History Reports$49.99
  • 500 credits$49.99
2 purchases

VIN decoder & VIN code scanner

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Access for a month$4.991 Month
  • Premium Access for a year$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Plate Lookup free?
Plate Lookup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VIN decoder & VIN code scanner free?
VIN decoder & VIN code scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Plate Lookup or VIN decoder & VIN code scanner?
Plate Lookup is rated higher. Plate Lookup averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.7K ratings, while VIN decoder & VIN code scanner averages 4.7 from 112 ratings.
Do Plate Lookup or VIN decoder & VIN code scanner have ads?
VIN decoder & VIN code scanner shows ads; Plate Lookup does not.
Which is updated more often, Plate Lookup or VIN decoder & VIN code scanner?
Plate Lookup ships an update every 8 days, and VIN decoder & VIN code scanner every 3 weeks. Most recently, Plate Lookup was updated on September 23, 2026 and VIN decoder & VIN code scanner on September 16, 2026.

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