Comparison

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 vs ActiveOBD

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

Head to head
About

OBD2 Scanner ELM327

This app provides comprehensive OBD scanning for vehicles, allowing users to read and clear fault codes from various ECUs, monitor live sensor data, and perform special functions like DPF regeneration and injector coding. It supports over 100 vehicle makes and offers detailed reports and diagnostic assistance.

Highlights
  • Read and delete fault codes from any ECU
  • Monitor over 200 live sensor data points
  • Perform special OBD functions
  • Generate shareable PDF diagnostic reports
  • Check SMOG status for emission tests
  • Reset service/oil lights
  • Track 0-60 and 0-100 timing
Features
Read full description

GaragePro is the perfect OBD Scanning app for automotive enthusiasts, repair shops, and DIYers. Covering 100+ vehicle makes, GaragePro offers you comprehensive OBD coverage such as reading fault codes from all ECUs- Engine, Airbag, ABS, BCM etc., as well as Special functions such as Injector coding, DPF regeneration, Throttle Reset, ABS (Brake) bleeding, Steering angle reset etc. Key Features: OBD2 Scanning: Read and delete fault codes from any module- Engine, ABS, SRS, EPS, BCM and more. GaragePro can read OBD codes from 100s of ECUs across different makes, covering 100,000+ unique DTCs. Live Data Monitoring: Read over 200 live data points from vehicle sensors in real-time, including RPM, speed, coolant temperature, fuel trim etc. as well as vehicle specific live sensor data points. GaragePro OBD2 Scanner also has intuitive graphs and customizable displays, that let your visualize changes in your OBD2 data. You can also export PID readings to Excel or PDF for detailed analyses. Multi-Mode Coverage: Unlock more OBD2 modes than other apps. GaragePro offers access to a plethora of modes/service IDs such as modes 01, 02, 03, 04, 06, 07, 09, 0A, as well as vehicle specific modes for enhanced OBD coverage. Special OBD functions like Injector coding, DPF regeneration, Throttle Reset, ABS (Brake) bleeding, Steering angle reset, Power balance, Fuel Density Reset, Learning Value Reset, Actuation Tests, AC Control Module Reset, Indicator light reset, Brake Pedal Position Sensor learning, Light and Door customizations, etc. Check the app for the full list applicable to your car. PDF report and Support: Get a shareable PDF with code descriptions when scanning a vehicle and share it with your technicians, friends, customers or store it for future comparisons. GaragePro also offers email and chat support to its customers. Smog checks through OBD: Be ready for your vehicle's emission tests by checking SMOG status in the app. Service/Oil reset: GaragePro OBD2 Scanner includes both- Auto and manual methods to reset the Service/Oil lights. Check Engine Light/Dashboard Lights Assistance: Compared to other apps, GaragePro is able to cover not just MIL, but also ABS, airbag, oil level, steering and other warning lights. OBD Freeze Frame data: Read OBD freeze frame data to understand your sensors' state when OBD codes were generated. Track mode: Measure your 0-60, 0-100 timing and see how well you do on the track. Vehicle Compatibility: The GaragePro OBD2 Scanner app works with any vehicle that's compliant with the OBD2 standard (introduced in the USA in 1996). It reads data from 100s of ECUs in cars & bikes, including Engine, ABS, Airbags (SRS), EPS, BCM, Traction Control, Transmission, HVAC, Instrument cluster & more. It is compatible with all American, Japanese, Korean, German, and other European car & bike makes, including but not limited to GM, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln, Buick, Chevrolet , Opel, Nissan, Infinity, Renault, Mercedes, Suzuki, Lexus, Triumph, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Honda, Mahindra, Tata, MG, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, BMW and more. For motorcycles, you will need a connecting cable that connects the 16-pin OBD scanner with the bike's OBD port. Bike diagnostics include DTC reading & deletion, live data stream & freeze frame data. OBD Scanner Compatibility: GaragePro OBD2 Scanner works with any Bluetooth OBD Scanner, including most elm327 based OBD scanners. It also works with popular OBD scanners like Vlink, OBDLink, Carista, Veepeak, Viecar, Kiwi and more. GaragePro also has its own OBD2 Scanner that works seamlessly with the app. Please note: The availability of sensor data depends on your vehicle's ECUs. The app can only display information that is provided by your car's systems. Whether you're a car enthusiast seeking performance gains, a mechanic looking to tackle repairs, or a car owner committed to staying informed, GaragePro OBD2 Scanner is the perfect OBD2 diagnostic tool for you. Email support: fix@carpm.in

About

ActiveOBD

This app functions as an OBDII scanner, offering specialized support for Subaru vehicles (MY2012+). It provides basic parameter readings for free, with a subscription unlocking advanced features like trouble code reading and data logging.

Highlights
  • OBDII scanning
  • Subaru-specific support (MY2012+)
  • CVT Oil Temperature reading
  • AWD duty (%) parameter reading
  • Trouble code reading (full version)
  • Data logging (full version)
  • Graphs building (full version)
Features
Read full description

The OBDII scanner app with a special support of Subaru (MY2012+) make. It's the next-generation product based on our well-known "ActiveOBD for Subaru" app bringing its best features to iOS users. A compatible OBD adapter is required. Premium-level adapters supported (best speed and stability): - OBDLink MX+; - OBDLink CX; - vLinker MC+. Entry-level adapters supported (moderate speed, good stability): - Vgate iCar Pro Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE). Other adapters supported: - Viecar Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE), Vgate iCar Pro WiFi, Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+, KONNWEI. We do NOT support the majority of cheap ELM327 v2.1 clones. The basic free version already includes CVT Oil Temperature, CVT ratio and AWD duty (%) parameter readings and nice gauge screen ! Note: some of these parameters are inaccessible on some model ranges. The full version (subscription) includes extra parameters reading and features, such as graphs building, logging ("premium-level adapter" required), trouble codes reading. Note: for resource consumption optimization reason the data collection for graphs/logging activates upon accessing these functions and terminates with the current app session. Terms of Use (standard Apple Terms of Use / EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

OBD2 Scanner ELM3274 screens
ActiveOBD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OBD2 Scanner ELM327 at 4.3 against ActiveOBD's 3.6. OBD2 Scanner ELM327 also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. OBD2 Scanner ELM327 sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and ActiveOBD sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 39 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 46% and 45% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 ships an update every 3 weeks, ActiveOBD every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
OBD2 Scanner ELM327 versus ActiveOBD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOBD2 Scanner ELM327ActiveOBD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (25 ratings) — better3.6 (39 ratings)
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews — better45.5% of reviews
Number of ratings2539 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZymbia Interactive Technologies Private LimitedMykhailo Zolotarov

Customer experience

OBD2 Scanner ELM327

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral3.1%
Negative50.8%

ActiveOBD

All ratings39 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative28.2%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive45.5%
Neutral13.6%
Negative40.9%

Bugs and requests

OBD2 Scanner ELM327

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • App stops working
  • App does not load past splash screen
  • App is not responding properly
  • App crashes when trying to buy subscription
  • App starts crashing after a few days
Show 16 more
  • License removed after uninstall/reinstall
  • App does not start after downloading
  • Shows false error codes
  • Requires uninstall to connect
  • App closes and won't open
  • Cannot clear codes after paying for subscription
  • Scanning issue (stops at 4%)
  • App hangs at 5% during scan
  • Freezes or gives an error during scan
  • Most GM PIDs not available
  • Live View Advanced PIDs missing
  • Cannot pull or clear codes
  • Not functional after updates
  • Cannot link to iPhone
  • Not working on multiple car models
  • Service reset states not available after payment

Requested features

8 requests
  • DPF REGEN feature
  • Ability to select new vehicle easily
  • Reactivate perpetual license without reinstalling
  • List of approved scanner devices
  • Support for WiFi adapters on iOS
Show 3 more
  • Add Google ID option for iPhone
  • Fix PIDs missing in Live View Advanced
  • Option to store data locally instead of server

ActiveOBD

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

OBD2 Scanner ELM327

Subscriptions5
  • AI Scan Summary (Yearly)$4.991 Year
  • Personal Plan$9.991 Year
  • Lite - Yearly$9.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Premium - Yearly$32.991 Year
  • Standard - Yearly$34.991 Year
One-time5
  • Lite - Perpetual$17.99
  • Lite - Perpetual$21.99
  • Standard - Perpetual$54.99
Show 2 more
  • Standard - Perpetual$69.99
  • Advanced - Perpetual$159.99
1 purchases

ActiveOBD

Subscriptions1
  • Full Version Subscription1 Month trial$4.991 Month

Questions

Is OBD2 Scanner ELM327 free?
OBD2 Scanner ELM327 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ActiveOBD free?
ActiveOBD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OBD2 Scanner ELM327 or ActiveOBD?
OBD2 Scanner ELM327 is rated higher. OBD2 Scanner ELM327 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while ActiveOBD averages 3.6 from 39 ratings.
Do OBD2 Scanner ELM327 or ActiveOBD have ads?
Neither OBD2 Scanner ELM327 nor ActiveOBD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OBD2 Scanner ELM327 or ActiveOBD?
OBD2 Scanner ELM327 ships an update every 3 weeks, and ActiveOBD every 3 months. Most recently, OBD2 Scanner ELM327 was updated on November 7, 2026 and ActiveOBD on November 3, 2026.

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