Comparison

BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool vs VIAVILab

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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 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

About

VIAVILab

Features
Read full description

The VIAVILab app instantly identifies substances on the field with their near infrared spectra. The application is part of a complete data management ecosystem covering from data acquisition to quality monitoring. A MircoNIR infrared spectrometer is required to acquire new spectra.

Screenshots

BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool4 screens
VIAVILab4 screens

Verdict

The call

BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool and VIAVILab are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool ships an update fortnightly, VIAVILab every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool versus VIAVILab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlueDriver OBD2 Scan ToolVIAVILab
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings14K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size273 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLemur Vehicle MonitorsNIRLAB Forensics Sarl

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 more
  • 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

VIAVILab

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool

No in-app purchases

None

VIAVILab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool free?
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VIAVILab free?
VIAVILab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or VIAVILab have ads?
Neither BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool nor VIAVILab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool or VIAVILab?
BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool ships an update fortnightly, and VIAVILab every 2 weeks. Most recently, BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool was updated on November 5, 2026 and VIAVILab on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons