# ActiveOBD vs ELMCheck

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | ActiveOBD | ELMCheck |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activeobd/id1524791245/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elmcheck/id6479630442/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **39** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mykhailo Zolotarov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1524791247) | [Fearless design, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/321056993) |

## What reviewers say

### ActiveOBD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activeobd/id1524791245)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version Subscription | $4.99 | per month |


### ELMCheck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elmcheck/id6479630442)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Comprehensive testing | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ActiveOBD free?

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

### Is ELMCheck free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ActiveOBD or ELMCheck?

ELMCheck is rated higher. ActiveOBD averages 3.6 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while ELMCheck averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do ActiveOBD or ELMCheck have ads?

Neither ActiveOBD nor ELMCheck shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ActiveOBD or ELMCheck?

ActiveOBD ships an update every 3 months, and ELMCheck every 10 days. Most recently, ActiveOBD was updated on October 3, 2026 and ELMCheck on October 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.*