ActiveOBD vs ELMCheck
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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)
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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/
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: ELMCheck at 100% against ActiveOBD's 45%. ELMCheck also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months). ActiveOBD's advantage is ratings volume (39 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. ActiveOBD sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and ELMCheck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ELMCheck holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveOBD has 39 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of ActiveOBD's written reviews are positive against 100% of ELMCheck's.
ActiveOBD ships an update every 3 months, ELMCheck every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 3, 2026.
| Parameter | ActiveOBD | ELMCheck |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.6 (39 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 39 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mykhailo Zolotarov | Fearless design, LLC |
Customer experience
ActiveOBD
ELMCheck
In-app purchases
ActiveOBD
- Full Version Subscription1 Month trial$4.991 Month
ELMCheck
- Comprehensive testing$2.99
