If you like to work on cars, either as a hobby or your profession, chances are that you have heard of the new OBD2 apps that have been introduced.
These apps range in price, capabilities and adaptor requirements, which can make it a little difficult to figure out when you’re looking for the one that will suit your needs.
I decided to do a quick review of the top five OBD2 apps for Android to help you decide.
The only thing that’s universal among all of these apps is that generally, your vehicle must be a 1996 and up model. Read on to find out more about what each app offers.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
TOP PICK!  |
1. BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
|
VIEW ON AMAZON |
BUDGET PICK! |
2. Carista OBD2
|
VIEW ON GOOGLE PLAY |
 |
3. Torque Pro
|
VIEW ON GOOGLE PLAY |
 |
4. Dash
|
VIEW ON GOOGLE PLAY |
 |
5. HobDrive
|
VIEW ON GOOGLE PLAY |
Our Recommendations for Android
1. BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool
The BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool is one of the OBD2 apps that’s compatible with Android systems. It not only scans your vehicle’s codes, it can help diagnose the problem and offers a suggested fix list.
This app works with a sensor system that’s sold separately through the website, and each has their own set-up for use.
We give the BlueDriver Bluetooth app a solid 5 star rating for many reasons, the least of which is the affordable sensor price and the fact that the app is free to download and use.
Comparable apps are the Carista OBD, Torque Pro, HobDrive OBD2 and Dash.
Image Credit : www.bluedriver.com
- Known Problems
- Is There an Additional Cost?
- Pros/cons overview
The app allows you to connect to the BlueDriver sensor, and scans, reads or clears error codes from your engine to include systems such as Airbag, Transmission and ABS codes.
It stores the readings into a Reports database, which also lists over four million potential fixes for any problem that it might find.
You can enjoy real-time access to your engine data, engine parameter readings and freeze-frame capture the information.
As a bonus, you can easily email or print this information. Live data may vanish if you don’t share the info-doing this downloads a copy of your reports into the system.
Video
2. Carista OBD2
Image credit : play.google.com
The Carista OBD2 requires the use of any of the following adapters, sold separately:
-> ELM327 v1.4 Bluetooth or
-> WiFi adapter
- Known Problems
- Is There an Additional Cost?
- Pros/cons overview
This app offers customization and manufacture defect codes on Lexus, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi, as well as limited codes for Scion, SEAT and Skoda.
It gives general diagnostic reports for most other makes of vehicles.Carista OBD2 will let you know if your car is ready for emission tests, which will save you time when it comes to clearing the tag check.
Video
3. Torque Pro
image credit : play.google.com
The Torque Pro offers a lot of different features that are geared more to actual diagnostics. While it doesn’t support the Garmin EcoRoute HD Adaptor, a range are compatible and can be found here.
- Known Problems
- Is There an Additional Cost?
- Pros/cons overview
This app allows you to run real-time diagnostics of the major operations of your engine, to include car performance and sensor data.
It’s compatible with GPS systems to track location, and allows reports to compiled into graphs. It features a nice feature that will monitor your levels in your car and send an alarm if they dip below a certain point, and allows some customization options.
The app is capable of monitoring multiple systems to include airbag, transmission and horsepower delivered from your engine.
While it may work on some makes from 1996 and up, it’s more suited for vehicles from the 2000 range and offers codes for several top brands both European and American.Video
4. Dash
image credit : dash.by
Dash is the only OBD2 reader that has some function without a sensor, however, that function is very limited. Without a sensor, it will show you gas prices and allow you to look up the engine codes. For best diagnostic reading, you’ll need:
image credit : dash.by
- Known Problems
- Is There an Additional Cost?
- Pros/cons overview
Dash diagnoses engine codes and shows sensor data in real time. The app can read the temperature, display distance driven, engine load, fuel level and your fuel efficiency.
It also documents your trips, to include start time, top times and locations, GPS coordinates, elapsed time and which vehicle you were driving. This data can be downloaded and emailed from your Dash account.
Video
5. HobDrive
Image credit : hobdrive.com
The HobDrive is described as a trip analysis sensor. It requires the use of the ELM327 OBD-II adaptor.
- Known Problems
- Is There an Additional Cost?
- Pros/cons overview
The app automatically calculates and compiles reports of your trips to include gas mileage, gas efficiency, GPS locations and time in trip.
It supplies custom PIDs for Toyota, Prius, Ford, Ford Hybrid, Chevrolet, Toyota JDM and Mazda as well as some non-OBD2 systems such as the Delphi mr240 with Chevrolet and the Delphi mt20u for Chinese-manufactured vehicles. It tracks engine codes and offers a code explanation.
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FINAL VERDICT
As you can see, the last two apps listed in this review are more for diagnostics during road trips rather than mechanic work.
Therefore, with the choice between the first three apps, the Bluedriver OBD2 is the clear winner of the best OBD2 app for Android.
While users can benefit from not having to pay for upgrades, updates and subscription terms, the database is frequently updated from the App owners.
The Blue Driver OBD2 app also has a vast database of dtc codes and their explanations, as well as a ‘suggested fix’ option to help you locate the proper part, down to local stores that have it in stock.
When you add this to the fact that it’s compatible with so many vehicles, the Blue Driver OBD2 stands out for its ease of use, available data and customer-friendly database.