# OBD2 Scanner ELM327 vs BM500

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OBD2 Scanner ELM327 at 46% against BM500's 0%. OBD2 Scanner ELM327 also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (25 vs 2). BM500's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. OBD2 Scanner ELM327 sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. BM500 asks for nothing beyond the download.

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OBD2 Scanner ELM327 has 25 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of OBD2 Scanner ELM327's written reviews are positive against 0% of BM500's.

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 ships an update every 3 weeks, BM500 fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | OBD2 Scanner ELM327 | BM500 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obd2-scanner-elm327-garagepro/id1488423694/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bm500/id1557463189/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **25** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **46.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 65 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zymbia Interactive Technologies Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488423693) | [亮 侯](https://appshunter.io/developer/616725498) |

## What reviewers say

### OBD2 Scanner ELM327

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obd2-scanner-elm327-garagepro/id1488423694)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Scan Summary (Yearly) | $4.99 | per year |
| Personal Plan | $9.99 | per year |
| Lite - Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium - Yearly | $32.99 | per year |
| Standard - Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Lite - Perpetual | $17.99 | one-time |
| Lite - Perpetual | $21.99 | one-time |
| Standard - Perpetual | $54.99 | one-time |
| Standard - Perpetual | $69.99 | one-time |
| Advanced - Perpetual | $159.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Clears trouble codes
- ✅ Scans vehicle quickly
- ✅ Provides real-time data
- ✅ User-friendly interface
- ✅ Saves money on repairs

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ App crashes frequently
- ❌ Does not load past splash screen
- ❌ Not responding properly on iPhone
- ❌ Cannot select new vehicle after changing cars
- ❌ Fails to buy subscription

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### BM500

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bm500/id1557463189)

This application connects to Bluetooth battery testers to perform comprehensive battery health checks. Users can easily test battery condition, cranking, and charging systems, with the ability to save and share professional results.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth connectivity to battery testers, Battery condition testing, Cranking system testing, Charging system testing, Save test data, Share professional results

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OBD2 Scanner ELM327 free?

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BM500 free?

BM500 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, OBD2 Scanner ELM327 or BM500?

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 is rated higher. OBD2 Scanner ELM327 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while BM500 averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do OBD2 Scanner ELM327 or BM500 have ads?

Neither OBD2 Scanner ELM327 nor BM500 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OBD2 Scanner ELM327 or BM500?

OBD2 Scanner ELM327 ships an update every 3 weeks, and BM500 fortnightly. Most recently, OBD2 Scanner ELM327 was updated on November 3, 2026 and BM500 on November 3, 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.*