Comparison

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead vs OnTrack

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

Head to head
About

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead

This app is an advanced tool for car enthusiasts to record and analyze sensor data for optimizing driving performance. It offers automated lap timing, video recording with data overlays, and real-time online racing competition features.

Highlights
  • Records sensor data (GPS, OBD II)
  • Automated lap timing with 1300+ predefined tracks
  • In-car video recording with data overlays
  • Real-time online racing and competition
  • Driving performance analysis and optimization
  • Step-by-step sensor integration
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Harry's LapTimer is the advanced tool for car enthusiast. It records all types of sensor data provided by your iPhone/iPod/iPad (or external sensors), combines them, and makes them available to optimize your drive. Over time, you will get insights on your car and in your driving, not known before. LapTimer offers more than 1300 predefined tracks world wide. With its assistants, it is extremely easy to setup - just click your track and drive. It fully automates your lap timing using GPS, and presents the results to all kinds of media. You are not limited to track driving only. For example, you may define your home and working locations as a 'track', collect statistics on different ways chosen, and analyze / optimize the time used every day. Want to show your drive to your friends? LapTimer Petrolhead and above generates beautiful in car video recordings with all kinds of data overlaid, ready to be presented - e.g. on youtube. Even without video, recorded data can be analyzed using purpose designed views, making it easy to analyze and improve your driving performance. Using online racing, you can use LapTimer in competition. LapTimer offers a Hall of Fame, allows watching you and your friends on track - all in real time. Compare your sector times, braking / acceleration points, and learn from each other. You can start with your plain iPhone in the beginning and add external GPS and OBD II sensors later, step by step, and as you need it. LapTimer itself comes in three different editions: LapTimer Rookie is the entry level with all you need for lap timing; LapTimer Petrolhead is the advanced version including lots of video features, and LapTimer Grand Prix is the edition for professionals including Multi Cam recording, Health Kit integration, and advanced sensor and analytics functionality. Please note that functionality depends on your device, the LapTimer edition chosen, and sometimes even external sensors added (like OBD II). Please visit our web page to get the full story. All edition can be upgraded later, all editions come with native iPhone and iPad support. There are quite expensive stand alone solutions for track days available. Be smart and own the leading edge tool simply by using your iPhone and LapTimer. Besides the professional area, there is no known solution that offers more functionality than LapTimer does - across the market. As our ambition is to offer the best tool, LapTimer is enhanced continuously. Please visit http://www.gps-laptimer.de for detailed information on versions, FAQs / documentation, in depth technology background information, online racing, and supported device configurations. Join our user community on http://www.gps-laptimer-forum.de to be involved in future development - all with first class support.

About

OnTrack

Monitor your car's real-time performance data on the racetrack with this CarPlay-enabled app. Set custom alerts for critical parameters like temperature to optimize your vehicle's performance and stay focused on the road.

Highlights
  • CarPlay integration
  • Real-time performance monitoring
  • Engine RPM, coolant temperature, oil pressure
  • Customizable temperature alerts
  • Instant notifications for threshold breaches
  • User-friendly display
Features
Read full description

Discover our revolutionary new CarPlay-enabled app that takes your racing experience to the next level. Seamlessly connecting to your car's OBD interface, our app provides real-time access to critical data essential for a successful race. With our app, you can effortlessly monitor your car's performance on the racetrack. Keep tabs on engine RPM, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and more, all displayed in a user-friendly format that allows you to stay focused on the road ahead. But that's not all – we've recently added an exciting feature! You can now set custom alerts for temperature values. Whether it's coolant temperature, oil temperature, or any other crucial parameter, you have the power to define limits and receive instant notifications when those values go above your specified thresholds. This level of control ensures you stay informed and can take immediate action to optimise your vehicle's performance. What's even better? Our app seamlessly integrates with CarPlay, offering an even more convenient way to keep an eye on your car's performance. Display all the essential information from our app directly on your car's dashboard screen. This means you can maintain your focus on the road and have real-time performance data at your fingertips. Why wait? Download our app today and elevate your racing game. With our app, you'll have everything you need to dominate the track, set alerts for temperature values, and stay ahead of the competition. ** Requires a Bluetooth 4.0 OBD adapter to function. ** EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead4 screens
OnTrack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: OnTrack at Free against Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead's $19.99. OnTrack also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 3.3) and review sentiment (77% vs 37%). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

OnTrack is free to download; Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead costs $19.99 up front. Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and OnTrack sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 153 and 57 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead's written reviews are positive against 37% of OnTrack's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead ships an update every 2 months, OnTrack every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead versus OnTrack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHarry's LapTimer PetrolheadOnTrack
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (153 ratings) — better3.3 (57 ratings)
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews — better37.0% of reviews
Number of ratings153 — better57
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#169 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarald SchlangmannOnTrack Apps Limited

Customer experience

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead

All ratings152 ratings
Positive69.7%
Neutral5.9%
Negative24.3%
Written reviews175 reviews
Positive76.6%
Neutral1.7%
Negative21.7%

OnTrack

All ratings57 ratings
Positive56.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative38.6%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral18.5%
Negative44.4%

User reviews

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead

From 153 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📊 Comprehensive data logging and telemetry analysis
  • 🎥 Excellent video overlay capabilities with telemetry
  • 💰 Affordable alternative to expensive professional systems
  • 🛠️ Highly responsive developer with active support
  • 🏁 Accurate lap timing when properly configured

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • 🎮 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
  • 📍 Unreliable GPS tracking without external devices
  • 🔌 Poor Bluetooth connectivity with accessories
  • 📹 Video export causes app malfunction

OnTrack

From 57 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great CarPlay integration
  • 💡 Useful for monitoring temps and info
  • 🚀 Fast refresh rate
  • 👍 Easy to read info at a glance
  • 👍 Highly customizable

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connection issues with various dongles
  • 🐛 Lack of support/unresponsive developers
  • 🐛 App crashes
  • 🐛 Limited PIDs available
  • 🐛 Boost pressure limit

Bugs and requests

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes when overlaying videos
  • Video playback fails in Photos app until phone reboot
  • Lap data not recording at certain tracks
  • GPS location not recognized at specific venues
  • Timer fails to start or record laps inconsistently
Show 9 more
  • Screen freezes during lap analysis
  • Video recording stops mid-session
  • App locks up entire phone requiring hard restart
  • Inaccurate speed and elevation data
  • Inability to delete laps without app hanging
  • Track loading failures and truncated track names
  • Overlay settings reset after each use
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • External GPS and OBD2 connection drops

Requested features

10 requests
  • Ability to pause timer between sessions
  • Automatic video overlay for all laps without manual processing
  • Better track variant identification in database
  • Improved nearby track suggestions based on location
  • Dark mode option
Show 5 more
  • Call blocking during track sessions
  • More Canadian track coverage
  • Custom vehicle profile support for newer models
  • Simplified user interface redesign
  • Better export format compatibility for Mac users

OnTrack

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • Lost connections with Vgate Pro
  • App crashes as soon as it connects to OBD2 reader since iOS 18
  • Öltemperatur (Oil temperature) not read for VW/Audi vehicles
  • Boost bar maxes at 1.5 bar / 22.3psi
  • Not connecting to OBDLink CX
Show 14 more
  • Not connecting to OBDLink CX or BlueDriver
  • App crashes when trying to connect Bluetooth device
  • App crashes when sorting fields in dashboard
  • Certain values cannot be retrieved from OBD interface
  • No readings, inaccurate oil and coolant temperatures
  • App not appearing in CarPlay customization menu
  • Connection problems with OBDLink MX+
  • No data displayed for 2015 VW T5.1 after purchasing premium
  • App barely works, tried 3 OBD modules, worked with one once
  • Check engine light codes are incorrect (P1700 vs P0117)
  • Will not connect with OBDLink MX+ or Vgate Icar Pro
  • Does not work with Bluetooth 5.0
  • WiFi Version needed
  • Can’t tell if it works, unpaid version allows only two sensors

Requested features

11 requests
  • Add gauges instead of numbers for CarPlay
  • Add more PIDs (e.g., exhaust gas temperature, transmission temp)
  • Vehicle selector
  • Support landscape mode
  • Add custom PIDs for vehicle-specific measurements
Show 6 more
  • Add light mode
  • Add smaller format windows for CarPlay
  • Add EV specific measurements (battery temp, state of charge, etc.)
  • Add transmission temperature display
  • Add oil temperature display for VW/Audi
  • Allow single purchase for limited values

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead

One-time1
  • Grand Prix Upgrade$9.99
2 purchases

OnTrack

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Yearly - Best Value7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead free?
Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is OnTrack free?
OnTrack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead or OnTrack?
Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead is rated higher. Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead averages 3.8 out of 5 from 153 ratings, while OnTrack averages 3.3 from 57 ratings.
Do Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead or OnTrack have ads?
Neither Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead nor OnTrack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead or OnTrack?
Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead ships an update every 2 months, and OnTrack every 4 weeks. Most recently, Harry's LapTimer Petrolhead was updated on November 1, 2026 and OnTrack on November 3, 2026.

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