Comparison

OBD Compass vs OBD Vault

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

Head to head
About

OBD Compass

Features
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The Bluetooth OBDII scan tool is loaded with essential features such as full OBDII functionality. Key Features: 1. Vehicle health check, read vehicle faults. 2. Various visual data such as numerical values, waveforms, and dials. 3. n-depth analysis of fault codes, including causes of generation, potential impacts of fault codes on vehicles, maintenance suggestions, and estimated costs, etc. 4. Maintenance records and reminders. 5. Community and Knowledge Base.

About

OBD Vault

Features
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Read vehicle diagnostics, live sensor readings and trip history with a compatible ELM327 OBD-II adapter. A vehicle and adapter are required for new scans and live readings. Available data depends on the vehicle, ECU and adapter. Read confirmed, pending and permanent fault codes, emissions readiness and freeze-frame data when supported. View RPM, speed, coolant temperature and other available readings. Record trips and review distance, sensor history and supported or estimated fuel use. Scans and trips are stored separately. Keep local scans, live data and history for one vehicle without an account or subscription. Select your vehicle's make, model and engine from an offline catalog when VIN is unavailable, or enter details manually. Optional paid plans cover a total of 1, 3 or 10 vehicles and include cloud synchronization, MCP access and file exports. Choose monthly, annual or lifetime access. Monthly and annual subscriptions renew automatically until canceled in your store account; lifetime is a one-time purchase. Current prices and terms appear in the app. File export requires active paid access. Connect your own compatible MCP client separately to read synced records. OBD Vault does not run an AI model. The connector cannot control your vehicle or clear fault codes. Clearing codes in the mobile app is a separate manual action requiring confirmation. Standard OBD-II diagnostics and selected manufacturer-specific units and readings are supported where references are available. Coverage varies; comprehensive manufacturer coverage, ECU coding and active tests are not provided. Code explanations are guidance, not a confirmed root cause or a safety certificate. Qualified inspection may still be needed. On iPhone, use a compatible Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi/TCP adapter. Bluetooth Classic is not supported. BLE supports background collection. Wi-Fi recording pauses when you leave the app or lock the screen: keep OBD Vault open with the screen on. Live Activities show trip status on supported iOS versions. Vehicle data: VehiclesDB (vehiclesdb.com). Additional sources: FuelEconomy.gov (DOE/EPA) and European Environment Agency. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

OBD Compass3 screens
OBD Vault4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OBD Compass at none against OBD Vault's 9. OBD Compass also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). OBD Vault's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price, ads and device support 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. OBD Vault sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. OBD Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OBD Compass ships an update monthly, OBD Vault every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
OBD Compass versus OBD Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOBD CompassOBD Vault
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHK TOPDON TECHNOLOGY Co., LIMITEDBahdan Hal

In-app purchases

None

OBD Compass

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

OBD Vault

Subscriptions6
  • 1 vehicle · Per month$2.991 Month
  • 3 vehicles · Per month$5.991 Month
  • 10 vehicles · Per month$14.951 Month
Show 3 more
  • 1 vehicle · Per year$17.991 Year
  • 3 vehicles · Per year$35.991 Year
  • 10 vehicles · Per year$89.991 Year
One-time3
  • 1 vehicle · Lifetime$34.99
  • 3 vehicles · Lifetime$69.99
  • 10 vehicles · Lifetime$174.99

Questions

Is OBD Compass free?
OBD Compass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OBD Vault free?
OBD Vault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OBD Compass or OBD Vault have ads?
Neither OBD Compass nor OBD Vault shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OBD Compass or OBD Vault?
OBD Compass ships an update monthly, and OBD Vault every 4 days. Most recently, OBD Compass was updated on October 31, 2026 and OBD Vault on November 6, 2026.

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