BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool vs ARMS (Mobile)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
This app turns your smartphone into a powerful OBD2 scan tool. It allows you to read and clear trouble codes, view live data, and generate detailed repair reports for your vehicle. Understand your car's issues and make informed repair decisions.
- Read and clear trouble codes (Check Engine, ABS, etc.)
- Generate professional-grade Repair Reports
- Access Mode 6 and smog readiness data
- View live data with interactive graphing
- Wireless Bluetooth scanning
- Likely fixes explained in plain language
Read full descriptionHide full description
BlueDriver® transforms your iPhone or iPad into a powerful OBD2 scan tool – trusted by over 1 million drivers, from professional mechanics to DIYers. Paired with the BlueDriver Bluetooth® Sensor (sold separately), it lets you read codes, diagnose issues, and fix your car with confidence—no wires, no guesswork. Whether you're checking a check engine light, running a smog test, or diving into enhanced diagnostics like ABS or transmission codes, BlueDriver gives you the tools you need to understand your vehicle and make smarter repair decisions – with clear, easy-to-understand information. What You Can Do with BlueDriver · Read and clear trouble codes - including check engine, ABS, airbag, transmission, and more · Generate, save, and share professional-grade Repair Reports based on your exact vehicle and trouble code · Access Mode 6 on-board monitoring test results · Check smog readiness and freeze frame data · View live data with multi-PID interactive graphing · Scan your vehicle wirelessly with Bluetooth—no cables required · Choose between metric and imperial settings · Get likely fixes for your vehicle’s issues, explained in plain language Enhanced Diagnostics Coverage · GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mercedes (2005+ models) · Mitsubishi (2008+), Hyundai/Kia (2012+) – available worldwide · BMW/Mini, Honda/Acura, Volkswagen/Audi – available in North America · Subaru – available in the United States What Makes BlueDriver Different? · No subscription required · Backed by a database of millions real-world fixes · Repair Reports are specific to your vehicle’s year, make, and model · Works globally with the BlueDriver Sensor · App is free to install—just pair with the Sensor to start scanning You can even preview a Repair Report without a Sensor by entering your VIN and a trouble code. Account Setup Made Easy You’ll create a BlueDriver account during setup—it’s quick and easy, and gives you secure access to all your scans, reports, and new features across any device. Important Info The BlueDriver Sensor plugs into your vehicle’s data port (found in every car built since 1996). It connects to the app via Bluetooth® to deliver full diagnostic functionality. Sensor sold separately in-app or at www.BlueDriver.com
ARMS (Mobile)
This app streamlines rail yard operations for switching crews, supporting transload and intermodal workflows. It allows for managing car movements, inventory, and switch requests, while also facilitating truck check-ins and container tracking.
- Manage rail car movements and inventory
- Process transload workflows for rail and trucks
- Track intermodal container movements
- Receive and complete switch requests
- Barcode/QR code scanning for inventory
- Generate shipping paperwork
Read full descriptionHide full description
ARMS (Automated Railyard Management System) Mobile was designed from the ground up for the switching crews working on railroads across the United States. As of version 2.0, we support transload & intermodal shipping container workflows, allowing our rail, trucking and port shipping partners connect their work. Our rail functionality supports the following - moving cars between tracks, in addition to loading, emptying and delivering said inventory. You can inbound and outbound consists, as well as creating interchanges manually to account for anomalous or orphaned inventory. Switching crews can receive and complete switch requests, and customers of railroads can login and see their inventory in addition to sending switch requests to the railroad. Roads can, of course, print their paperwork through integration with the same paperwork service they rely on every day. Our transload functionality, as of version 2.5.0, supports inbounding rail cars or trucks and itemizing their contents into discrete commodity units. Gate agents can check-in trucks that come into a facility, recording their weights and arrival/departure timestamps. Customers that scan UPC or QR codes can request integration into their workflow, as our app supports barcode/QR scanning through the phone camera. Transloaders can print picklists and trucking BOL's through the paperwork service, and can create trucking bills of ladings directly in the mobile app. Truck drivers can use our custom dispatch module to accept work orders. Our intermodal functionality supports integration with reach stackers, allowing easy recording of container movements across piles and railcar chassis's. Gate agents can record ingate and outgates for containers, and create intermodal units to populate their facilities inventory.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: ARMS (Mobile) at free against BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool's free with in-app purchases. BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool's advantage is ratings volume (14K vs 14). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool against 4.7 for ARMS (Mobile). That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool has 14K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two.
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool ships an update every 9 days, ARMS (Mobile) fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool | ARMS (Mobile) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (14K ratings) | 4.7 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14K — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 278 MB | 122 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lemur Vehicle Monitors | CEDAR AI, INC. |
Customer experience
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
ARMS (Mobile)
Bugs and requests
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
Reported bugs
3 issues- Occasional app crashes
- Failure to detect vehicle faults in some cases
- Inability to update firmware on certain devices
Requested features
10 requests- Add support for more vehicle makes and models
- Improve Bluetooth stability and connectivity
- Implement odometer reading functionality
- Expand diagnostic capabilities to include more advanced features
- Add support for European vehicle VINs
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Enable reading of additional fault codes (e.g., airbag)
- Maintain compatibility with older iOS versions
- Introduce CarPlay integration
- Add customizable live data dashboards
- Implement audible alerts for critical sensor readings
ARMS (Mobile)
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
No in-app purchases
ARMS (Mobile)
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool free?
Is ARMS (Mobile) free?
Which has better reviews, BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or ARMS (Mobile)?
Do BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or ARMS (Mobile) have ads?
Which is updated more often, BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or ARMS (Mobile)?
Other comparisons















