Comparison

BimmerDash vs OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound

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

Head to head
About

BimmerDash

Features
Read full description

Transform your iPhone into a high-performance, gaming-inspired digital cockpit gauge cluster. BimmerDash is a premier OBD-II vehicle monitoring App designed specifically for Bimmer enthusiasts. 【 Engine & ECU Optimized for F-Chassis & B-Series / N-Series 】 BimmerDash is deeply optimized for B48, B58, S55, N20, and N55 engine control units (ECU), ensuring high-precision data logging and rapid PID polling response. 【 Apple Intelligence On-Device AI Diagnostics 】 • 15-Minute Telemetry Backtest: Fully automatic analysis of boost curves, ignition timing advance, and knock retard events powered by the iPhone's local Apple Neural Engine (ANE). • 100% On-Device Privacy: Zero dependencies on external cloud servers. Operates at full speed on tracks or remote roads without cellular signal. 【 Apple CarPlay & Live Activities 】 • CarPlay Multi-Layout Support: Strictly complies with Apple driving safety guidelines with 10-second interval peak and average metric calculations. • Live Activities: Real-time telemetry monitoring on Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. 【 18 Core Performance Metrics 】 Track both engine health and track-focused metrics simultaneously, including: • Engine Speed (RPM) & Live Vehicle Speed • Turbo Boost Pressure • Engine Oil Temp & Coolant Temp • Throttle Position • Battery Voltage ...and many other critical data points to help you manage thermal efficiency and power delivery. 【 Hardware & Connection Requirements 】 • This app requires a compatible aftermarket Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE / Bluetooth Low Energy) OBD-II adapter (e.g., vLinker BM+, OBDLink CX, or any standard BLE-compliant ELM327 / OBD2 adapter). • Classic Bluetooth 2.0 / 3.0 (legacy non-BLE) and Wi-Fi-only OBD adapters are NOT supported by iOS and will not connect. • Quick Tip: Do NOT pair the device in your iPhone’s iOS Bluetooth settings. Simply turn on Bluetooth, plug in your adapter, and connect seamlessly directly inside the app. 【 Racing Simulator Telemetry Support 】 • Currently supports the Forza series with a dedicated racing dashboard display. 【 Disclaimer & Safety Information 】 • Drive safely. Do NOT attempt to operate or configure this app while driving. • Data displayed by this app is intended for performance monitoring and enthusiast reference only. It is not a substitute for professional factory diagnostic tools used for repair or mechanical troubleshooting. • All vehicle platform codes, model names, and related terms are properties of their respective registered owners. This app is an independent third-party enthusiast monitoring tool. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound

Monitor your car's engine performance and hear its sound in real-time. Customize your dashboard with various widgets and track your drives with detailed maps and trip data. Offers a demo mode and optional Pro features for an enhanced experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time OBD2 data display
  • Engine sound simulation based on RPM
  • Customizable dashboard with widgets
  • Trip computer and fuel economy tracking
  • Speed and RPM on map view
  • HUD mode for windshield projection
Features
Read full description

See — and hear — your car in real time. Connect an ELM327 Bluetooth (BLE) adapter and the app turns live OBD2 data into a fast, modern dashboard: RPM, speed, coolant, throttle, fuel, and every sensor your vehicle supports, auto-detected. No subscription. Ever. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • A genuinely modern interface — not the dated look of most OBD apps • A one-of-a-kind engine-sound simulation driven by your real RPM • Speed and RPM drawn on the map, color-coded (satellite view included) • Buy once for Pro — no monthly fees, unlike many scanners BUILD YOUR OWN DASHBOARD Mix and match four widget types — digital tiles, analog needle gauges, live charts, and the trip map — then reorder them into your own instrument screen. A mirrored HUD mode projects your speed onto the windshield at night. FIVE FOCUSED TABS • Dashboard — your own widget layout, plus HUD mode • Data — every live sensor, overlaid or separate charts, CSV export (long or spreadsheet-friendly wide format) • Drive — trip computer with fuel economy, the color-coded track map, a G-force ball, and 0–100 timing • Engine Sound — procedural sound that follows your real RPM (all presets free) • Tools — adapter info and communication log FREE INCLUDES Live data, the dashboard, track map, trip computer, HUD, and engine sound — free, with a small banner ad. PRO (ONE-TIME PURCHASE, OPTIONAL) • Unlimited CSV logging • Save your 0–100 and G-force runs • Remove ads Prefer just no ads? A cheaper ad-removal-only purchase is also available. NO ACCOUNT NEEDED Your vehicle data comes straight from the ELM327 adapter over Bluetooth and is processed on your device — there is no developer server collecting it. The free version shows ads served by Google's ad SDK (buy Ad Removal or Pro and no ads are shown). Try it with no hardware using the built-in demo mode. REQUIRES an ELM327-compatible Bluetooth LE (BLE) OBD2 adapter and a vehicle with an OBD2 port (most cars sold since 2008). SUPPORT Questions or ideas? Contact: support@takasawadynamics.com

Screenshots

BimmerDash4 screens
OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound4 screens

Verdict

The call

BimmerDash and OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound 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. BimmerDash sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BimmerDash ships an update every 10 days, OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
BimmerDash versus OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBimmerDashOBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCHUN-YI LINSena Takasawa

In-app purchases

3 purchases

BimmerDash

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly Pass$0.991 Month
  • Premium Annual Pass$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • BimmerDash Lifetime VIP$24.99
2 purchases

OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound

One-time2
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • car_ui Pro (One-Time)$4.99

Questions

Is BimmerDash free?
BimmerDash is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound free?
OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BimmerDash or OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound have ads?
Both BimmerDash and OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound show ads.
Which is updated more often, BimmerDash or OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound?
BimmerDash ships an update every 10 days, and OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound every 9 days. Most recently, BimmerDash was updated on October 24, 2026 and OBD2 Scanner + Engine Sound on October 24, 2026.

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