# VIN Scanner vs ACV Auctions

The clearest difference is monetization model: ACV Auctions at free with in-app purchases against VIN Scanner's subscription. ACV Auctions also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). VIN Scanner's advantage is review sentiment (83% vs 55%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

VIN Scanner holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.1K and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of VIN Scanner's written reviews are positive against 55% of ACV Auctions's.

VIN Scanner ships an update every 2 months, ACV Auctions every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | VIN Scanner | ACV Auctions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vin-scanner/id351899465/reviews)** | [4.4 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acv-auctions/id969808943/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.1K** | 1.2K |
| Positive reviews | **83.3% of reviews** | 55.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 15 MB | 161 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.4.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Laser Appraiser, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/351899468) | [ACV Auctions Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/969808942) |

## What reviewers say

### VIN Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vin-scanner/id351899465)

This app provides automotive professionals with data-driven insights for used car appraisal and decision-making. It offers VIN scanning, valuation data from multiple sources, and vehicle history reports to help maximize profit margins.

**Highlights:** VIN barcode scanning, Vehicle valuation data (J.D. Power, KBB, etc.), CARFAX & Experian AutoCheck reports, Retail sales data analysis, Auction market reports, Dealer tools for sharing and syncing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Anywhere scanner
- 💰 Great pricing
- 📚 Ability to store many VINs
- 🛒 Helpful for auto professionals
- ⚡ Fast and accurate

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and crashes frequently
- ⏱️ Slow performance and loading times
- 📱 Outdated user interface
- 💰 Overpriced compared to alternatives
- 🔁 Annoying rating prompts

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes
- Slow loading of vehicle information
- Inconsistent mileage data
- Refresh issues when selecting options

**Requested features**

- Improved stability and reliability
- Faster scanning and data retrieval
- More modern and intuitive UI design
- Competitive pricing options
- Ability to view auction details and history


### ACV Auctions

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acv-auctions/id969808943)

This app is a digital marketplace for dealers to buy and sell wholesale vehicles. It streamlines the auction process, allowing sellers to easily list cars and buyers to bid in live auctions. The platform handles all payments and title transfers for a seamless transaction experience.

**Highlights:** Dealer-to-dealer marketplace, Live 20-minute auctions, VIN scanning and condition reporting, Live and proxy bidding, Real-time negotiation, Integrated payment and title transfer

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great interface
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
- 👍 Detailed condition reports
- 👍 Audio recordings of vehicles
- 👍 Convenient mobile platform

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable notifications
- 🐛 Arbitration issues and denials
- 🐛 Incomplete or inaccurate condition reports
- 🐛 Complicated arbitration process
- 🐛 Slow or unresponsive customer service

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when navigating between vehicles
- Notifications not working consistently
- Inability to view ended auctions and sold vehicles
- Lack of landscape mode support on tablets

**Requested features**

- Watchlist feature to track interested vehicles
- Faster bidding times
- Improved notification system
- Easier access to account and payment information
- Better integration between mobile app and website


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VIN Scanner free?

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

### Is ACV Auctions free?

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

### Which has better reviews, VIN Scanner or ACV Auctions?

VIN Scanner is rated higher. VIN Scanner averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while ACV Auctions averages 4.4 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do VIN Scanner or ACV Auctions have ads?

Neither VIN Scanner nor ACV Auctions shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VIN Scanner or ACV Auctions?

VIN Scanner ships an update every 2 months, and ACV Auctions every 2 weeks. Most recently, VIN Scanner was updated on October 29, 2026 and ACV Auctions on October 29, 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.*