VCDS vs VgateFwUpdater
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VCDS
This application acts as a browser shell to access a dealer-level diagnostic system for VW-Audi Group vehicles. It helps locate and connect to a specific WiFi interface to read fault codes, live data, and configure control modules.
- Dealer-level diagnostics
- Fault code reading
- Live data monitoring
- Control module configuration
- HEX-NET interface discovery
- Platform independent browser access
Read full descriptionHide full description
Browser Shell for VCDS-Mobile™ Although VCDS-Mobile is platform independent and doesn't actually require anything on your iOS device besides a browser, this app makes it easy to locate and identify a HEX-NET™ interface on your WiFi network. VCDS-Mobile is a dealer-level diagnostic system for VW-Audi Group cars (VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Bentley). It provides access to fault codes, live data, and various configuration options in all the diagnostic-capable control modules. For more information, see: http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-mobile/ Disclaimer: This app only works with Ross-Tech® HEX-NET interfaces. No other WiFi or Bluetooth interfaces are supported.
VgateFwUpdater
This utility tool allows users to upgrade the firmware for various compatible automotive diagnostic chips. It supports a range of specific chip models, ensuring optimal performance and functionality of your devices.
- Firmware upgrades
- Supports Icar01, Icar03, MIC3311, MIC3312, MIC3313, MIC3422, MIC1103, MIC3425 chips
- Ensures optimal device performance
- Easy-to-use upgrade tool
Read full descriptionHide full description
VgateFwUpdater is an upgrade tool that can upgrade the firmware of Icar01(iCar 1/2/3), Icar03(iCar Pro), MIC3311(vLinker BM), MIC3312(vLinker FD), MIC3313(vLinker MC), MIC3422(vLinker FS), MIC1103(iCarPro 2S) and MIC3425(vLinker MS) chips.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VCDS at 3.3 against VgateFwUpdater's 2.5. VgateFwUpdater's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (45 vs 4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VCDS holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VgateFwUpdater has 45 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 19% of VCDS's written reviews are positive against 32% of VgateFwUpdater's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
VCDS ships an update every 6 months, VgateFwUpdater every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VCDS | VgateFwUpdater |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (4 ratings) — better | 2.5 (45 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 19.0% of reviews | 31.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 45 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ross-Tech LLC | 昌云 沈 |
Customer experience
VCDS
VgateFwUpdater
In-app purchases
VCDS
No in-app purchases
VgateFwUpdater
No in-app purchases
