# ThinkDiag+ vs TOPDON CarPal

The clearest difference is rating: ThinkDiag+ at 4.5 against TOPDON CarPal's 3.7. ThinkDiag+ also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 18) and review sentiment (74% vs 39%). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TOPDON CarPal sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. ThinkDiag+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ThinkDiag+ holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThinkDiag+ has 4.3K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of ThinkDiag+'s written reviews are positive against 39% of TOPDON CarPal's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ThinkDiag+ | TOPDON CarPal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinkdiag-plus/id1483420979/reviews)** | [3.7 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topdon-carpal/id6478524922/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 41 |
| Positive reviews | **73.6% of reviews** | 39.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 539 MB | 1.6 GB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **11** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [THINKCAR INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1464847379) | [HK TOPDON TECHNOLOGY Co., LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1846276192) |

## What reviewers say

### ThinkDiag+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thinkdiag-plus/id1483420979)

This app provides professional-level vehicle diagnostics, offering features like reading/clearing fault codes, data flow analysis, and special maintenance functions. It supports a wide range of car brands and allows users to subscribe to specific diagnostic software. Connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone for intelligent vehicle analysis.

**Highlights:** OE-level diagnostic functions, Full OBD II diagnosis, Special maintenance functions, Supports 100+ vehicle brands, Automatic VIN reading, Professional diagnostic reports, In-app user community

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Powerful diagnostic capabilities
- 🚀 Affordable price
- 🚀 Helpful customer support
- 🚀 Versatile for DIY and professionals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with certain vehicles
- 🔒 Concerns about annual subscription fees
- 🔒 Limited functionality on iOS devices

**Reported bugs**

- Failure to recognize VIN or vehicle information
- Inability to clear certain error codes
- Inconsistent performance across different devices

**Requested features**

- Improved user interface and navigation
- More detailed troubleshooting guides
- Expanded vehicle coverage and special functions
- Offline mode for diagnostics


### TOPDON CarPal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topdon-carpal/id6478524922)

Transform your phone into a powerful car diagnostic tool with this app. It offers comprehensive system scans, full OBDII functionality, and specialized maintenance services for a wide range of vehicle brands. Easily identify issues, access repair data, and generate detailed reports wirelessly.

**Highlights:** Full System Diagnosis, Full OBD2 Functions, 6 Special Maintenance Functions, AutoVIN Vehicle Identification, Wireless Bluetooth Connection, Diagnostic Report Generation

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

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Auto-renewal | $4.99 | per month |
| Renewal Bundle | $29.99 | per year |
| Nissan Gateway 1-Token | $11.99 | one-time |
| Renault Gateway  1-Token | $11.99 | one-time |
| VW SFD Gateway  1-Token | $11.99 | one-time |
| FCA Gateway  1-Token | $11.99 | one-time |
| FCA Gateway 30-day Access | $34.99 | one-time |
| VW SFD Gateway 30-day Access | $34.99 | one-time |
| Renault Gateway 5 Tokens | $116.99 | one-time |
| Nissan Gateway 5 Tokens (EU only) | $116.99 | one-time |
| Renault Gateway 5 Tokens | $147.99 | one-time |
| VW SFD Gateway 1-year Access | $199.99 | one-time |
| Renault Gateway 10 Tokens | $209.99 | one-time |
| Nissan Gateway 10 Tokens (EU only) | $209.99 | one-time |
| Nissan Gateway 10 Tokens (EU only) | $254.99 | one-time |
| Renault Gateway 20 Tokens | $379.00 | one-time |
| Nissan Gateway 20 Tokens (EU only) | $379.00 | one-time |
| Nissan Gateway 20 Tokens (EU only) | $464.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ThinkDiag+ free?

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

### Is TOPDON CarPal free?

TOPDON CarPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ThinkDiag+ or TOPDON CarPal?

ThinkDiag+ is rated higher. ThinkDiag+ averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while TOPDON CarPal averages 3.7 from 41 ratings.

### Do ThinkDiag+ or TOPDON CarPal have ads?

Neither ThinkDiag+ nor TOPDON CarPal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ThinkDiag+ or TOPDON CarPal?

ThinkDiag+ ships an update every 3 weeks, and TOPDON CarPal every 3 weeks. Most recently, ThinkDiag+ was updated on September 22, 2026 and TOPDON CarPal on September 25, 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.*