Comparison

Carly vs BimmerCode

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

Head to head
About

Carly

This app allows car owners to diagnose issues, monitor live engine data, and perform maintenance tasks. It offers advanced features like coding hidden car functions and detecting mileage manipulation, helping users save on repairs and understand their vehicle's health.

Highlights
  • Read and clear fault codes from all ECUs
  • Monitor engine live data parameters
  • Step-by-step car repair guides
  • Perform car maintenance and reset service intervals
  • Check starter battery condition
  • Code and unlock hidden car features
  • Detect mileage manipulation
Features
Read full description

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

About

BimmerCode

Unlock hidden features and customize your BMW, MINI, or Toyota Supra. This app allows you to individually configure your vehicle for a personalized driving experience. Requires a compatible OBD adapter.

Highlights
  • Code BMW, MINI, Toyota Supra
  • Discover hidden features
  • Individual vehicle configuration
  • Personalize driving experience
  • Supports a wide range of models
  • Requires OBD adapter
Features
Read full description

With BimmerCode, you can effortlessly code your BMW, MINI, or Toyota Supra yourself and configure it individually for the ultimate driving experience. Discover hidden features and customize your vehicle according to your personal preferences. SUPPORTED CARS - 1 Series (2004 – 2024) - 2 Series, 2 Series Coupe, M2 (2013+) - 2 Series Gran Coupe (2020 – 2024) - 2 Series Active Tourer (2014+) - 2 Series Gran Tourer (2015 – 2022) - 3 Series, M3 (2005+) - 4 Series, M4 (2013+) - 5 Series, M5 (2003+) - 6 Series, M6 (2003+) - 7 Series (2008+) - 8 Series (2018+) - X1 (2009+) - X2 (2018+) - X3, X3 M (2010 – 2024) - X4, X4 M (2014+) - X5, X5 M (2006+) - X6, X6 M (2008+) - X7 (2019+) - Z4 (2009+) - i3 (2013+) - i4 (2021+) - i8 (2013+) - iX1 (2022+) - iX2 (2024+) - iX3 (2021+) - iX (2021+) - MINI (2006+) - Toyota Supra (2019+) You can find a detailed list of the supported cars and options on https://bimmercode.app/cars/. REQUIRED ACCESSORIES One of the supported OBD adapters is required to use BimmerCode. For more information, please visit https://bimmercode.app/adapters/.

Screenshots

Carly4 screens
BimmerCode4 screens

Verdict

The call

Carly and BimmerCode both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 59% of BimmerCode's written reviews are positive against 30% of Carly's. BimmerCode also leads on chart position (#106 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Carly's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Carly sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per year and BimmerCode sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Carly against 4.7 for BimmerCode. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.9K and 21K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 30% of Carly's written reviews are positive against 59% of BimmerCode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Carly ships an update weekly, BimmerCode every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Carly versus BimmerCode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCarlyBimmerCode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (9.9K ratings)4.7 (21K ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.7% of reviews58.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.9K21K — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#106 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size416 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarly Solutions GmbH Co KGSG Software GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Carly

All ratings9,875 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews590 reviews
Positive29.7%
Neutral5.4%
Negative64.9%

BimmerCode

All ratings20,795 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral1.5%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews1,209 reviews
Positive58.9%
Neutral7.3%
Negative33.8%

User reviews

Carly

From 9.9K App Store ratings

What 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

BimmerCode

From 21K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Excellent customization options
  • 💡 Useful for coding BMW features
  • 🚀 Works as advertised
  • 👍 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Requires paid version to unlock full functionality
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with some BMW models
  • 🐛 Occasional connection problems
  • 🐛 Coding can cause unintended issues
  • 🐛 Expert mode is in German, not English

Bugs and requests

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

BimmerCode

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Coding can deactivate important safety features
  • App crashes during coding process
  • Coding changes not always reversible

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to backup and restore settings to cloud
  • More detailed instructions and documentation
  • Support for older BMW models
  • Translate expert mode to English
  • Add more coding options for newer BMW models

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Carly

Subscriptions12
  • Smart Mechanic$11.991 Year
  • Toyota$21.991 Year
  • Mercedes$28.991 Year
Show 9 more
  • Smart Mechanic$35.991 Year
  • 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
  • VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda + Mechanic$89.991 Year
  • BMW and Mini + Smart Mechanic$99.991 Year
  • All Brands + Smart Mechanic$118.991 Year
2 purchases

BimmerCode

One-time2
  • BimmerCode Full Version Motorcycle$19.99
  • BimmerCode Full Version$49.99

Questions

Is Carly free?
Carly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BimmerCode free?
BimmerCode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Carly or BimmerCode?
BimmerCode is rated higher. Carly averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9.9K ratings, while BimmerCode averages 4.7 from 21K ratings.
Do Carly or BimmerCode have ads?
Neither Carly nor BimmerCode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Carly or BimmerCode?
Carly ships an update weekly, and BimmerCode every 2 months. Most recently, Carly was updated on September 24, 2026 and BimmerCode on September 24, 2026.

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