Comparison

OBDII Trouble Codes Lite vs Steer

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

Head to head
About

OBDII Trouble Codes Lite

Access a comprehensive database of OBD II diagnostic trouble codes. Quickly look up definitions for generic and manufacturer-specific codes without an internet connection. Easily copy and share code descriptions.

Highlights
  • Extensive OBD II code definitions
  • Offline access
  • No car model selection needed
  • Copy and share descriptions
  • Supports generic and manufacturer codes
Features
Read full description

This app is the most complete OBD II (EOBD) diagnostic trouble code definitions database. This is an ad-supported Lite version, which contains only 2553 description of generic codes (P0...). If extended code is accessible in full version, you will get message "This description is available in FULL version" If you want to get all descriptions you can buy FULL version, which contains more than 18500 error descriptions for almost 50 car manufacturers. Very simple to use! You don't even have to select your car model. Just enter your fault code and app will show you all supported descriptions. No Internet connection needed, no longer spend hours to search for single code description, looking at check engine light. If you have cable, bluetooth or WiFi OBDII code reader (ELM327, PLX Kiwi or any other) you need this app for code description because most of code scanners does not contain full DTC (diagnostic trouble code) database and displays only meaningfull numbers. Be prepared for any troubles wherever you are! You can select and copy error description with simple long press on text, and then paste it in SMS, e-mail or wherever you want! If your car supports OBD II or EOBD, then you can already use almost 5000 generic OBDII codes. These codes are from PowerTrain series (P0XXX, P2XXX, P34XX), Body Series (B0XXX), Chassis series (C0XXX), Network series (U0XXX, U2XXX, U3XXX). Also there is a list of more than 13500 additional manufacturer specific codes. Supported manufacturers with specific codes: Acura Alfa Romeo BMW Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep Citroen / Peugeot Daewoo Fiat Ford Geo GM (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac) Honda Hyundai Infinity Isuzu Jaguar Kia Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Mazda Mercedes Mercury Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Oldsmobile Opel / Vauxhall Plymouth Porsche Renault (DF codes) Saab Saturn Scion Subaru Suzuki Toyota Volskwagen Audi Group Volvo Note, that it is impossible to create complete OBD DTC database. Manufacturers are adding new codes and changing old ones. So if you cannot find your code or if you think that some code not correct anymore, please write us!

About

Steer

Transform your smartphone into a powerful OBD2 diagnostic tool. Read and clear fault codes, monitor real-time performance metrics, and test your vehicle's acceleration and emissions. Compatible with a wide range of car brands and OBD2 scanners.

Highlights
  • Universal OBD2 scanner compatibility
  • Read and erase fault codes
  • Real-time performance metrics
  • Acceleration and performance testing
  • Emission compliance checks
  • Supports various car brands
Features
Read full description

Your car has been trying to tell you something. Steer translates it. Plug the Steer sensor into the port under your steering wheel and the app reads what your car already knows — then explains it the way an honest mechanic would: in plain language, with no jargon and nothing to upsell you. WHAT YOU GET: ■ AI MECHANIC Ask anything about your car and get a straight answer. Send a photo of a warning light, a leak on the driveway or a part you don't recognize, or just describe the noise it makes. It knows your exact car and your latest scan. ■ ONE NUMBER, 0 TO 100 Your Steer Score answers "how is my car right now?". No trouble codes to look up, no tables to read. Watch it move over time. ■ PROBLEMS IN PLAIN LANGUAGE Every issue comes with what it means, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the repair usually costs. Not "P0420 — Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold". ■ DEEP SCAN 21 systems and 126 live parameters, across every module your car will talk to. Start it, lock your phone, and get a notification when it is done. ■ DASHBOARD LIGHT LIBRARY Every warning light on your dashboard — check engine, ABS, airbag, TPMS, oil, battery — what it actually means, and how urgent it really is. ■ MAINTENANCE THAT KNOWS YOUR CAR Service intervals based on your VIN and your real mileage, not a generic checklist. Oil changes, filters, brakes, belts. ■ SAFETY RECALLS We check your VIN against the manufacturer recall database and tell you if your car is affected. ■ EVERY OBD2 CAR SINCE 1996 80 makes and thousands of models, 1996 to 2026. TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY Open the app and tap "Try a real scan". You get the whole experience on a demo car — scan, results, AI Mechanic — with no sensor, no account and no card. WHAT YOU NEED Steer works with the Steer OBD2 sensor, available at steer.so. It is not compatible with third-party adapters. MEMBERSHIP Free forever: live codes, battery alerts and basic diagnosis. Steer Plus unlocks the unlimited AI Mechanic, full explanations for every issue, predictive maintenance and every car in the household — $99/year with a 14-day free trial, or $14.99/month. Terms of Use: https://steer.so/terms Privacy Policy: https://steer.so/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

OBDII Trouble Codes Lite3 screens
Steer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Steer at none against OBDII Trouble Codes Lite's shown. Steer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 25 months). OBDII Trouble Codes Lite's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs freemium) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.1). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases 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. OBDII Trouble Codes Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Steer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OBDII Trouble Codes Lite ships an update every 25 months, Steer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
OBDII Trouble Codes Lite versus Steer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOBDII Trouble Codes LiteSteer
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.1 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews31.3% of reviews — better26.7% of reviews
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 25 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOleg ChumakovSmarters Engineered

Customer experience

OBDII Trouble Codes Lite

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive31.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative62.5%

Steer

Written reviews15 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

OBDII Trouble Codes Lite

One-time1
  • Full version$2.99
4 purchases

Steer

Subscriptions4
  • OBD2 Pro$9.991 Month
  • OBD2 Pro$19.991 Year
  • Steer Plus14 Days trial$99.001 Year
Show 1 more
  • Steer Plus$99.001 Year

Questions

Is OBDII Trouble Codes Lite free?
OBDII Trouble Codes Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Steer free?
Steer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OBDII Trouble Codes Lite or Steer have ads?
OBDII Trouble Codes Lite shows ads; Steer does not.
Which is updated more often, OBDII Trouble Codes Lite or Steer?
OBDII Trouble Codes Lite ships an update every 25 months, and Steer every 3 weeks. Most recently, OBDII Trouble Codes Lite was updated on November 1, 2026 and Steer on November 3, 2026.

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