ELMCheck vs Fabrication Helper
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ELMCheck
Verify the authenticity and functionality of your OBD-II scanner. This app runs comprehensive tests on ELM327 commands to report supported features, ensuring safe and reliable use with your vehicle.
- Authenticity testing for OBD-II scanners
- Comprehensive ELM327 command test suite
- Reports actual supported features
- Ensures safe scanner usage
- Basic tests are free
- Unlock full suite with in-app purchase
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Check the authenticity of your OBD-II scanner with ELMCheck. Most OBD-II scanners on the market use some variation of ELM327, but did you know that many scanners use clones of the original ELM327? It can be hard to tell, because these clones will work well enough for basic use but fail in unexpected scenarios. This is where ELMCheck comes in. ELMCheck offers a comprehensive set of test cases that cover the entire documented set of ELM327 commands. Regardless of which version your scanner says it is, ELMCheck can provide a comprehensive report of the features that are actually supported. Get the confidence you need to use your OBD-II scanner on your vehicle safely. ELMCheck is free to run basic tests. An in-app purchase will unlock the full test suite.
Fabrication Helper
This utility app assists with shop layout, calculations, and quick reference for fabrication tasks. It offers tools for conversions, pipe and structural shape lookups, and layout planning for cuts, bolt circles, and spacing. Designed for fast, offline use without requiring an account.
- Fraction, decimal, and metric conversion
- Common pipe size lookup
- Structural shape reference
- Linear cut planning
- Bolt circle layout
- Equal spacing calculation
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Fabrication Helper is an imperial-first shop toolbox for layout, checking, and quick reference work. Use it to convert fractions and dimensions, check common pipe sizes, look up structural shapes, plan simple linear cuts, lay out bolt circles, and calculate equal spacing. The app is built for fast local use in the shop or field. It opens without an account, does not require sign-in, and does not use a Fabrication Helper backend for calculator inputs or reference lookups. Included tools: - Fraction, decimal, and metric conversion - Common pipe sizes and schedule aliases - Structural shape lookup for steel, stainless, and aluminum rows currently included in the app - Linear cut planning for stock/order lengths and drops - Bolt circle layout - Equal spacing layout Calculations and reference values are aids for layout and checking. Always verify against drawings, supplier data, shop procedures, and governing standards before ordering, cutting, welding, or releasing work. Privacy Policy: https://demigodofa.github.io/privacy-policy/fabrication-helper.html Terms and Safety Notes: https://demigodofa.github.io/privacy-policy/fabrication-helper-terms.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fabrication Helper at none against ELMCheck's 1. Fabrication Helper also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). ELMCheck's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks 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
Both are free to download. ELMCheck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Fabrication Helper asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ELMCheck against 5.0 for Fabrication Helper. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
ELMCheck ships an update every 2 weeks, Fabrication Helper every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ELMCheck | Fabrication Helper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Fearless design, LLC | Kevin Penfield |
Customer experience
ELMCheck
Fabrication Helper
In-app purchases
ELMCheck
- Comprehensive testing$2.99
Fabrication Helper
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ELMCheck free?
Is Fabrication Helper free?
Which has better reviews, ELMCheck or Fabrication Helper?
Do ELMCheck or Fabrication Helper have ads?
Which is updated more often, ELMCheck or Fabrication Helper?
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