BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool vs Carly
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
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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
Carly
This app provides comprehensive car diagnostics, live engine data, and repair guides. It helps users understand their car's health, perform maintenance, and even unlock hidden features. Compatible with a wide range of car brands, it empowers owners to take control of their vehicle's upkeep.
- Read and clear fault codes
- Monitor engine live data
- Access expert repair guides
- Perform car maintenance
- Check starter battery condition
- Code and unlock hidden features
- Detect mileage manipulation
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Carly is the most versatile OBD2 solution, offering diagnostics, engine live data, and guides for car repair and maintenance. It's helped over a million car owners to save up to $2,000 per year for car-related topics. Get the Carly app and the Carly Universal Scanner to access data through the OBD2 port of your car. Unleash your inner car hero with Carly! It works for Audi, BMW, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes, Mini, Opel, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Toyota, VW, and almost all other car brands with an OBD2 port. As every car is unique, which specific Carly features are available will vary with every model, build year, hardware, and software. ———— BASIC FEATURES INCLUDED IN THE (FREE) BASIC PACKAGE Diagnostics (OBD), Live Data (OBD), and Emission Check (OBD) enable you to have control over the most important systems — engine and transmission. ADVANCED FEATURES INCLUDED IN THE PREMIUM PACKAGE (YEARLY LICENSE) • UNDERSTAND YOUR CAR'S HEALTH With Carly Diagnostics, you can read and clear fault codes from all built-in electronic control units (ECUs), including engine, transmission, ABS, airbag, and multimedia, keep track of your car’s health, gauge the severity of problems, and more. • POWERCHARGE YOUR REPAIR SKILLS Get expert repair guides for your specific issues to help you understand and fix the issues by yourself. • MONITOR ENGINE LIVE DATA Live parameters or live data can help you take the guesswork out of understanding what your car needs and narrow down the fault causes. • PERFORM CAR MAINTENANCE INDEPENDENT OF THE WORKSHOP The Carly Maintenance feature helps you step-by-step to service your car yourself, reset your service and keep track of your service intervals directly from your phone. • VIEW THE CONDITION OF YOUR BATTERY The Carly Battery Check function helps you monitor the status of your car's starter battery, which will help to increase your batterie lifetime. • CODE AND UNLOCK HIDDEN FEATURES Access hidden features set by the manufacturer and customize your car to fit your needs. This feature is only available on certain car brands/models, and the coding options vary between each control unit. • DETECT MILEAGE MANIPULATION Mileage manipulation is on the rise. Don’t get tricked when buying a used car — use Carly to perform a used car inspection before buying. ———— HOW IT WORKS Step 1: Check which features are available for your car model Step 2: Order your Carly Universal Scanner Step 3: Plug the scanner into the OBD2 port and log in on this app THE CARLY UNIVERSAL SCANNER — THE MOST ADVANCED OBD DEVICE The OBD2 device was designed to support almost all car brands with an OBD2 port and to enable advanced Carly features. The scanner comes with: • A lifetime warranty • Premium customer support Take the health of your car into your own hands! ———— You can purchase a subscription for an individual car brand or for all car brands. This is a yearly subscription. The subscription automatically renews for one year if not canceled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. The subscription can be managed in your purchases and the automatic renewal can be deactivated there. Terms of Use: https://bit.ly/35Mxg5s Privacy Policy: https://bit.ly/35Rruze
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool at none against Carly's 10. BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 29%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Carly sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $21.99 per year. BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool against 4.6 for Carly. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14K and 9.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 58% of BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool's written reviews are positive against 29% of Carly's.
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool ships an update fortnightly, Carly weekly. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.
| Parameter | BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool | Carly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (14K ratings) | 4.6 (9.9K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews — better | 29.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14K — better | 9.9K |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 273 MB | 417 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lemur Vehicle Monitors | Carly Solutions GmbH Co KG |
Customer experience
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
Carly
User reviews
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
From 14K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Excellent diagnostic capabilities
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🔍 Detailed fault code information
- 📚 Helpful repair suggestions
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues
- ⚠️ Limited support for some vehicle makes/models
- 🚫 Cannot read odometer information
- 🚫 Lack of advanced features for professional mechanics
- 🚫 No support for European vehicle VINs
Carly
From 9.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great customer service
- 🚀 Lots of functionality
- 💡 Useful diagnostic and coding features
- 🔒 Secure and reliable
Room to improve
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Connectivity and compatibility issues
- 🔍 Limited functionality for some vehicles
- 📚 Confusing or lacking documentation
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
Carly
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes or freezes
- Adapter not working as expected
- Inaccurate or misleading diagnostic information
Requested features
4 requests- More vehicle support
- Improved user interface
- Offline functionality
- Easier subscription management
In-app purchases
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
No in-app purchases
Carly
- Toyota$21.991 Year
- Mercedes$28.991 Year
- Smart Mechanic$35.991 Year
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda$53.991 Year
- Carly for BMW Full-Version$59.991 Year
- BMW and Mini$63.991 Year
- All Brands Upgrade6 Months trial$78.991 Year
- All Brands$82.991 Year
- BMW and Mini + Smart Mechanic$99.991 Year
- All Brands + Smart Mechanic$118.991 Year
Questions
Is BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool free?
Is Carly free?
Which has better reviews, BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or Carly?
Do BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or Carly have ads?
Which is updated more often, BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or Carly?
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