# ActiveOBD vs CarSpec AI

The clearest difference is rating: CarSpec AI at 5.0 against ActiveOBD's 3.6. CarSpec AI also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 months). ActiveOBD's advantage is ratings volume (39 vs 4) and device support (3 vs 1). 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 CarSpec AI sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CarSpec AI 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 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

ActiveOBD ships an update every 3 months, CarSpec AI every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ActiveOBD | CarSpec AI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activeobd/id1524791245/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carspec-ai/id6808035689/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **39** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 45.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 24 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mykhailo Zolotarov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1524791247) | [Zinaida Israelov](https://appshunter.io/developer/6808035691) |

## 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 |


### CarSpec AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carspec-ai/id6808035689)

Instantly identify car make, model, and detailed specifications from a photo. Get performance data, market value, common issues, and tuning potential. Save your scans, compare vehicles, and connect with a car community.

**Highlights:** AI car identification from photos, Detailed performance specs, Common problems and tuning potential, Save scans to personal garage, Side-by-side car comparison, Community features and leaderboards

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CarSpec Pro | $4.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ActiveOBD free?

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

### Is CarSpec AI free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ActiveOBD or CarSpec AI?

CarSpec AI is rated higher. ActiveOBD averages 3.6 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while CarSpec AI averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do ActiveOBD or CarSpec AI have ads?

Neither ActiveOBD nor CarSpec AI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ActiveOBD or CarSpec AI?

ActiveOBD ships an update every 3 months, and CarSpec AI every 2 days. Most recently, ActiveOBD was updated on November 3, 2026 and CarSpec AI on October 31, 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.*