# Carly vs U

The clearest difference is rating: Carly at 4.6 against U's 1.9. Carly also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (9.9K vs 125). U's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Carly sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per year and U sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Carly holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Carly has 9.9K ratings behind it against 125, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of Carly's written reviews are positive against 11% of U's.

Carly ships an update weekly, U every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Carly | U |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (9.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carly-obd2-car-scanner/id467344155/reviews)** | [1.9 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-scan/id614809289/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.9K** | 125 |
| Positive reviews | **29.3% of reviews** | 10.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 417 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Carly Solutions GmbH Co KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/408379680) | [Service Solutions US LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/799425953) |

## What reviewers say

### Carly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carly-obd2-car-scanner/id467344155)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smart Mechanic | $11.99 | per year |
| Toyota | $21.99 | per year |
| Mercedes | $28.99 | per year |
| Smart Mechanic | $35.99 | per year |
| Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda | $53.99 | per year |
| Carly for BMW Full-Version | $59.99 | per year |
| BMW and Mini | $63.99 | per year |
| All Brands Upgrade | $78.99 | per year |
| All Brands | $82.99 | per year |
| VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda + Mechanic | $89.99 | per year |
| BMW and Mini + Smart Mechanic | $99.99 | per year |
| All Brands + Smart Mechanic | $118.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great customer service
- 🚀 Lots of functionality
- 💡 Useful diagnostic and coding features
- 🔒 Secure and reliable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Connectivity and compatibility issues
- 🔍 Limited functionality for some vehicles
- 📚 Confusing or lacking documentation

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes
- Adapter not working as expected
- Inaccurate or misleading diagnostic information

**Requested features**

- More vehicle support
- Improved user interface
- Offline functionality
- Easier subscription management


### U

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-scan/id614809289)

This app allows users to diagnose vehicle issues using their smartphone and a compatible adapter. It provides access to check engine, ABS, and airbag codes, along with definitions and potential solutions. Users can also view live data and clear diagnostic trouble codes.

**Highlights:** Read and erase OBD II codes, View live vehicle data, ABS and Airbag code access, Automatic vehicle identification, Vehicle history log, Powertrain enhanced data

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ABS Codes and definitions for Single Vehicle | $5.99 | one-time |
| ABS Code Vehicle 2 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Live Data and Manufacturer Specific Codes Vehicle 1 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Airbag codes and definitions for vehicle 1 | $7.99 | one-time |
| CodeConnect Repair Solutions for a Vehicle | $12.99 | one-time |
| Live Data and Manufacturer Specific Codes All Makes | $15.99 | one-time |
| CodeConnect Repair Solutions 1 Vehicle Upgrade to All | $27.99 | one-time |
| ABS Codes and Definitions All Vehicles | $29.99 | one-time |
| CodeConnect Repair Solutions All Vehicles | $39.99 | one-time |
| Airbag Codes and Definitions for All Makes | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Works well once successfully connected and configured
- 📊 Provides useful diagnostic data and error code reading
- 🔧 Helpful for identifying vehicle issues and troubleshooting
- 📱 Good app functionality for tech-savvy users who understand setup
- 💰 Reasonable price point for a diagnostic tool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔌 Severe Bluetooth connectivity issues - frequent disconnections
- 🔄 Extremely difficult and unreliable pairing process
- ⚠️ False 'vehicle in motion' errors when car is stationary
- 🚫 Cannot use live data while vehicle is moving (post-update restriction)
- 🐛 Firmware updates frequently fail or brick the device

**Reported bugs**

- Bluetooth connection drops frequently and won't reconnect
- App fails to recognize connected Bluetooth device
- Firmware update process freezes and becomes unresponsive
- False motion detection errors preventing app operation
- VIN entry not working or not submitting to garage

**Requested features**

- Enable live data monitoring while vehicle is in motion
- Improve Bluetooth auto-detection and automatic connection
- Add support for Australian vehicle models (Holden, Ford)
- Expand vehicle compatibility beyond 2013 models
- Implement dark mode for app interface


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Carly free?

Carly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is U free?

U is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Carly or U?

Carly is rated higher. Carly averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9.9K ratings, while U averages 1.9 from 125 ratings.

### Do Carly or U have ads?

Neither Carly nor U shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Carly or U?

Carly ships an update weekly, and U every 4 months. Most recently, Carly was updated on October 26, 2026 and U on October 23, 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.*