Comparison

MATCO TOOLS vs Carista OBD2

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

Head to head
About

MATCO TOOLS

This utility app transforms your smartphone into a sound and vibration detection tool. It assists technicians in identifying issues in vehicles and machinery by pinpointing rattles, squeaks, and grinding sounds. Requires additional hardware to function.

Highlights
  • Sound and vibration detection
  • Locates defective or worn parts
  • Analog and digital display options
  • Adjustable sound level settings
  • User information guide included
  • Background sound off-setting
Features
Read full description

The Matco Tools SmartEAR1 Sound & Vibration Detection app was developed to help assist the service technician in locating and finding defective or worn parts in automobiles, heavy machinery or industrial equipment where vibration, rattles, squeaks and grinding sounds would be associated making the task very difficult or impossible to diagnose. When used with our specially designed hardware kits your smartphone will be transformed into a state of the art Sound & Vibration Detection Technicians Tool allowing for ease of locating and finding those troubled areas. NOTE: Additional hardware is required to use this app. For information on how to purchase hardware please contact your local Matco Tools Distributor or call 1-866-BUY-TOOL**** Features: User friendly interface and intuitive operation. Sound level reading displays average, peak and real-time values. Sound level readings are displayed in either Analog or Digital. Analog and Digital readings have 2 display panels the user can choose from. Analog Meter or Analog Wave-Form. Digital Numeric or Digital Bar Graph. Background sound off-setting, sample rates, decibel off-setting can be manually be set. Reset/Refresh buttons reset/refresh values to default settings. Sound Level Reading Sampling Rate Decibel Off-set Master Volume Control User information guide includes informative facts about sound perception and permissible noise level exposure as well as a sound level comparison reference chart. Additional Information: Required: Any iOS device running iOS5.0+. Recommended: iPhone 4 and newer/ iPod Touch 4 and newer. Compatible: iPad 2 and newer.

About

Carista OBD2

This app acts as a DIY car mechanic, allowing you to customize features, diagnose warning lights, monitor live data, and perform maintenance. Save time and money by handling common car tasks yourself.

Highlights
  • Customize car behavior and unlock hidden features
  • Diagnose and reset dashboard warning lights
  • Monitor real-time vehicle parameters
  • Perform simple DIY car maintenance procedures
  • Access advanced electronic diagnostics
Features
Read full description

Carista lets you diagnose warning lights, read and reset fault codes, monitor live vehicle data, customize your car, and perform DIY service procedures - all from your phone. Save hours and thousands of dollars in unnecessary workshop visits, and take control of your car's maintenance, diagnostics, and personalization. Trusted by 3+ million users worldwide, Carista supports 30+ car brands, offers SFD & SFD2 compatibility, and brings 10+ years of leadership in the OBD2 industry. CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAR (PRO) Unlock hidden features and personalize how your car behaves. • Gauge needle sweep at startup • Start screen logo • Virtual instrument cluster themes • Daytime running lights • Coming-home and leaving-home lights • Throttle response behavior And many more ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS (PRO) Go beyond the Check Engine Light. Diagnose multiple electronic control modules, including ABS, airbag, SRS, Engine, Transmission, and manufacturer-specific systems. Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes before visiting a workshop. SEE YOUR CAR'S LIVE DATA (PRO) Monitor real-time vehicle parameters and see what's happening inside your car. Depending on your vehicle, live data can include: • Engine and turbo information • Launch control count • Mileage information • Airbag crash count • Service interval information • Engine RPM and other performance parameters With supported vehicles, Apple CarPlay lets you view basic OBD2 live data on your car's screen while driving. PERFORM DIY SERVICE PROCEDURES (PRO) Handle simple maintenance yourself and avoid workshop visits. Depending on your vehicle, Carista offers: • Electronic parking brake (EPB) service • Service due indicator reset • Tire pressure sensor (TPMS) registration • Diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration • Battery registration And other vehicle-specific service functions SUPPORTED CAR BRANDS Carista supports Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Cupra, Dacia, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Holden, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, MAN, Mazda, Mini, Nissan, Opel/Vauxhall, Pontiac, Renault, Saab, Scion, SEAT, Skoda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. Feature availability varies by vehicle, model year and hardware: https://carista.com/apps/supported-cars BASIC OBD2 FEATURES FOR MOST 2005/2008+ CARS (FREE) Compatible vehicles with an OBD port also get basic OBD2 diagnostics, live data, and emissions readiness tools. EASY TO USE: Locate the OBD2 port • Plug in the scanner • Turn on ignition • Open the app • Pair it with the scanner HARDWARE For the best experience, pair the app with the Carista EVO Scanner. Carista also works with selected compatible OBD2 scanners, including OBDLink CX, OBDLink MX Bluetooth, OBDLink LX, Kiwi3, and genuine Bluetooth ELM327 v1.4 scanners. The Carista OBD Scanner (white) is not compatible with Ford vehicles or SFD/SFD2-protected 2020+ Volkswagen Group vehicles. Check compatibility before purchasing a scanner. WHY CARISTA? • 3M+ users worldwide — Trusted by millions of drivers to understand, maintain, and personalize their cars. • 10+ years of automotive expertise — Over a decade of experience in vehicle diagnostics and customization. • Official Volkswagen Group partner — Trusted automotive technology with advanced capabilities for supported VW Group vehicles. • 300+ customizations — Hundreds of ways to personalize your car and unlock hidden features. • SFD & SFD2 support — Unlock supported SFD- and SFD2-protected features and customizations on compatible Volkswagen Group vehicles. • 30+ car brands supported — One app for a wide range of popular manufacturers. • One subscription. All Pro features. — Access every Pro feature for your vehicle without buying individual credits. • Regularly updated — New vehicles and features added frequently. Learn more: https://carista.com/ Supported vehicles: https://carista.com/apps/supported-cars Privacy Policy: https://carista.com/policies/privacy-policy

Screenshots

MATCO TOOLS4 screens
Carista OBD24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Carista OBD2 at 4.6 against MATCO TOOLS's 2.3. Carista OBD2 also leads on review sentiment (34% vs 0%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months). MATCO TOOLS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Carista OBD2 sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. MATCO TOOLS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Carista OBD2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Carista OBD2 has 4.2K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of MATCO TOOLS's written reviews are positive against 34% of Carista OBD2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MATCO TOOLS ships an update every 6 months, Carista OBD2 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
MATCO TOOLS versus Carista OBD2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMATCO TOOLSCarista OBD2
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (8 ratings)4.6 (4.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews34.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings84.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#177 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB142 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJS Products, Inc.Prizmos

Customer experience

MATCO TOOLS

All ratings8 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative62.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Carista OBD2

All ratings4,223 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews816 reviews
Positive34.2%
Neutral9.6%
Negative56.3%

Bugs and requests

MATCO TOOLS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Carista OBD2

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Subscription issues and billing problems
  • Incompatibility with certain OBD2 adapters
  • Customization features not working as expected
  • Inaccurate fault code detection

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for more vehicle makes and models
  • Offline diagnostics and customization
  • Ability to save customization settings
  • More detailed error code information
  • Improved user interface and navigation

In-app purchases

None

MATCO TOOLS

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Carista OBD2

Subscriptions5
  • Basic$19.991 Month
  • Pro$19.991 Month
  • 1 month Pro4 variants$19.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • 3 month Pro2 variants$29.993 Months
  • Pro5 variants$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Diagnostic & Reset$9.99

Questions

Is MATCO TOOLS free?
MATCO TOOLS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Carista OBD2 free?
Carista OBD2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MATCO TOOLS or Carista OBD2?
Carista OBD2 is rated higher. MATCO TOOLS averages 2.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Carista OBD2 averages 4.6 from 4.2K ratings.
Do MATCO TOOLS or Carista OBD2 have ads?
Carista OBD2 shows ads; MATCO TOOLS does not.
Which is updated more often, MATCO TOOLS or Carista OBD2?
MATCO TOOLS ships an update every 6 months, and Carista OBD2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, MATCO TOOLS was updated on October 24, 2026 and Carista OBD2 on October 26, 2026.

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