Comparison

Carista OBD2 vs MX5 Tech Remote

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

Head to head
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 App is a mobile DIY car mechanic in the palm of your hands - code features, diagnose warning lights, monitor live data, and service your car. Save time and money from visits to the workshop with Carista. Customize your car's behavior, unlock hidden features, diagnose dashboard warning lights, monitor real-time parameters, and perform simple DIY procedures quickly and easily. Advanced app settings available for certain Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Cupra, Dacia, Ford, Gemini, 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 models. THE ALL-IN-ONE CAR TOOL -Customize your car's behavior: unlock hidden features, including SFD & SFD2-protected ones, and tailor your car to your preferences. -Diagnose and Reset dashboard warning lights: quickly identify and resolve issues before they escalate into costly repairs. -Monitor real-time parameters: stay informed about your car's health and performance with live data readings. -Perform simple DIY procedures: save on routine maintenance and avoid lengthy workshop visits. SUPPORTED VEHICLES Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dacia, Ford, GMC, Holden, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, MINI, Nissan, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault, Scion, SEAT, Škoda, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Check if your car is supported here: https://carista.com/apps/supported-cars WHY THE CARISTA APP? - A wide range of car brands supported. - User-friendly and simple: plug the scanner, switch Bluetooth on, press "Connect", see what your car is capable of. - Brilliant customer service. - Frequent updates: new features and brands. -Savings progress tracker: monitor your savings and unlock exclusive offers. HARDWARE Experience the full potential of the Carista App by pairing it with the Carista EVO Scanner (and Carista OBD Scanner-white one-, not compatible with Ford brands and SFD & SFD2-protected 2020+ VAG cars). While Carista App can also be used with other compatible OBD2 adapters such as OBDLink CX, OBDLink MX Bluetooth or LX adapters, Kiwi3 adapter, or a genuine Bluetooth ELM327 v1.4 (ensuring it's not fake or defective). Discover more at: https://carista.com/products/carista-evo-obd-scanner PRICING All paid features are available with an in-app purchase of our Pro functionality: an auto-renewable subscription at $59.99 USD/year or $19.99 USD/month. Price may vary based on currency and region. KEY FEATURES (Exact feature availability depends on your vehicle). *CUSTOMIZATIONS Personalization of comfort & convenience features of the car. More than 300 hidden features per brand. -Gauge needle sweep at startup -Start screen logo -Virtual instrument cluster theme -Lights: DRL, coming/leaving-home -Throttle response behavior and more powerful features to enhance your experience! *ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS Perform dealer-level electronic diagnostics (fault code checking and resetting) of all modules in the vehicle, including ABS, airbag, and other manufacturer-specific systems. *SERVICE -Electronic parking brake (EPB) retraction tool -Service reset -Tire pressure sensors (TPMS) -Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration -Battery registration And other helpful tools. *LIVE DATA -Launch control count -Mileage information -Airbag crashes count -Service interval info -Engine Turbo -Apple CarPlay support: view basic OBD2 live data on your car's screen while driving And others to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently. *For 2005/2008+ vehicles For all cars with OBD port: Basic OBD Diagnostics Basic OBD2 Live Data Emissions Test Service tools Information and help: https://carista.com Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: https://carista.com/policies/privacy-policy

About

MX5 Tech Remote

Control a diagnostic tool remotely via Bluetooth to scan fault codes, monitor engine data, and test various vehicle components. It also integrates with a "Wink/Sleepy Eye" mod for custom lighting effects.

Highlights
  • Remote device control via Bluetooth
  • Fault code scanning
  • Engine data monitoring (rev counter, battery voltage, O2 sensor)
  • Component testing (switches, fan, fuel pump)
  • Wink/Sleepy Eye mod control
  • Customizable lighting patterns
Features
Read full description

Plug in the MX5 Tech Diagnostic tool and use this app to remote control the device via blue tooth. All functions are available remotely including fault code scanning, rev counter, battery voltage, O2 Sensor, switch testing, fan test (MK1/NA only), fuel pump test etc. Also connects to the MX5Tech Wink/Sleepy Eye mod and allows the user to remotely perform winks, set sleepy eye mod on and off, adjust sleepy eye level, choose default wink patterns for 1,2,3, and 4 button presses and swap left and right lights. Securely links to only your wink mod until the wink mod is reset in the car to prevent others operating the device.

Screenshots

Carista OBD24 screens
MX5 Tech Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Carista OBD2 at 4.6 against MX5 Tech Remote's 3.2. Carista OBD2 also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (4.1K vs 21). MX5 Tech Remote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment 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. Carista OBD2 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. MX5 Tech Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Carista OBD2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Carista OBD2 has 4.1K ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 34% of Carista OBD2's written reviews are positive against 37% of MX5 Tech Remote's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Carista OBD2 ships an update every 3 weeks, MX5 Tech Remote every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Carista OBD2 versus MX5 Tech Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCarista OBD2MX5 Tech Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (4.1K ratings) — better3.2 (21 ratings)
Positive reviews34.2% of reviews36.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.1K — better21
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 12 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#167 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.410.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB60 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPrizmosILSOFT Limited

Customer experience

Carista OBD2

All ratings4,097 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews813 reviews
Positive34.2%
Neutral9.6%
Negative56.2%

MX5 Tech Remote

All ratings21 ratings
Positive52.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive36.8%
Neutral15.8%
Negative47.4%

Bugs and 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

MX5 Tech Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Carista OBD2

Subscriptions4
  • Pro$19.991 Month
  • 1 month Pro4 variants$19.991 Month
  • 3 month Pro2 variants$29.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Pro5 variants$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Diagnostic & Reset$9.99
None

MX5 Tech Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Carista OBD2 free?
Carista OBD2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MX5 Tech Remote free?
MX5 Tech Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Carista OBD2 or MX5 Tech Remote?
Carista OBD2 is rated higher. Carista OBD2 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 4.1K ratings, while MX5 Tech Remote averages 3.2 from 21 ratings.
Do Carista OBD2 or MX5 Tech Remote have ads?
Carista OBD2 shows ads; MX5 Tech Remote does not.
Which is updated more often, Carista OBD2 or MX5 Tech Remote?
Carista OBD2 ships an update every 3 weeks, and MX5 Tech Remote every 12 months. Most recently, Carista OBD2 was updated on September 23, 2026 and MX5 Tech Remote on July 5, 2026.

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