Comparison

Carista OBD2 vs ShiftLight OBD2

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 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

About

ShiftLight OBD2

Enhance your driving with real-time engine temperature monitoring and a customizable shift light. Optimize gear changes and stay informed about your vehicle's performance. Requires an OBD2 adapter.

Highlights
  • Adjustable shiftlight with custom RPM thresholds
  • Real-time coolant and oil temperature readings
  • OBD2 protocol compatibility for most vehicles
  • Intuitive dashboard for performance metrics
  • Effortless user interface for customization
Features
Read full description

Revitalize your driving experience with ShiftLight OBD2, the ultimate app designed to elevate your vehicle's performance through precision shift lighting and real-time temperature monitoring. Tailor your driving style, optimize your shifts, and keep your engine in check with this indispensable tool for automotive enthusiasts. Key Features: - Adjustable Shiftlight: Customize your driving experience with the Adjustable Shiftlight feature. Fine-tune your shift points to perfection, ensuring seamless transitions between gears. Set precise RPM thresholds, putting you in control of your vehicle's power delivery. - Temperature Readings on Point: Stay ahead of potential issues by monitoring your engine's health in real-time. ShiftLight OBD2 provides accurate and instant readings for coolant and oil temperatures, allowing you to make informed decisions and safeguard your engine's well-being. - OBD2 Protocol Compatibility: ShiftLight OBD2 is compatible with a wide range of OBD2 protocols, ensuring connectivity with most vehicles manufactured after 1996. Simply connect your OBD2 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi adapter to your car's port and unlock the full potential of performance monitoring. - Intuitive Dashboard: Access a sleek and user-friendly dashboard that displays essential performance metrics at a glance. Keep an eye on RPM, temperature, and other vital data, all in real-time, allowing you to focus on the track while staying connected to your vehicle's critical stats. - Effortless User Interface: Navigate through the app effortlessly with its intuitive user interface. Customize settings, set your preferences, and fine-tune your driving experience with ease, ensuring that you get the most out of your ShiftLight OBD2 app. ShiftLight OBD2 is your go-to companion for precision track driving. Download now and embark on a journey of enhanced performance, whether you're on the track or the drag strip! Note: ShiftLight OBD2 requires an OBD2 Bluetooth or Wi-Fi adapter for connection to your vehicle's OBD2 port. Ensure compatibility before downloading and start enjoying the benefits of a tailored driving experience. Shift into a new era of driving precision with ShiftLight OBD2!

Screenshots

Carista OBD24 screens
ShiftLight OBD24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ShiftLight OBD2 at 100% against Carista OBD2's 34%. ShiftLight OBD2 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 14) and ads (none vs shown). Carista OBD2's advantage is chart position (#183 vs unranked). On price 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 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. ShiftLight OBD2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Carista OBD2 versus ShiftLight OBD2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCarista OBD2ShiftLight OBD2
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (4.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews34.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.2K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#183 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.411.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size142 MB28 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPrizmosJakub Tomana

Customer experience

Carista OBD2

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

ShiftLight OBD2

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

ShiftLight OBD2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

ShiftLight OBD2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Carista OBD2 free?
Carista OBD2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShiftLight OBD2 free?
ShiftLight OBD2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Carista OBD2 or ShiftLight OBD2 have ads?
Carista OBD2 shows ads; ShiftLight OBD2 does not.

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