OBDeleven vs Carly: Which is better for you?

The question is: which one is better for you?
 

Let’s get one thing straight – one size most often does not fit all, so it’s just natural our product might not be the best fit for everyone, and in some cases, an alternative might be better.
 

In this article, we'll go through the features and pricing of OBDeleven vs Carly and let YOU, the reader, decide the best option for your needs, vehicle make, and level of expertise.

 

For those who don't want to spend time reading, here’s a quick comparison of OBDeleven vs Carly features in the table below.

 

 

OBDeleven is a car tech company founded in Lithuania in 2014. Specializing in diagnostic and customization tools, it aims to make car diagnostics accessible to every driver, regardless of their skill level.
 

Today, OBDeleven has more than 3 million vehicles connected in over 60+ countries across the globe.
 

OBDeleven NextGen device
 

The core of OBDeleven’s offering is the OBDeleven NextGen device – a pocket-sized Bluetooth tool that plugs into your car’s OBD2 port. Once connected, it syncs with the OBDeleven mobile app on your smartphone.
 

And here’s where the whole action happens.

 

 

Official licensing
 

One of OBDeleven’s key advantages is the official licensing from major car manufacturers: 

 

 

This official backing means OBDeleven’s features are rigorously tested and licensed to meet manufacturer standards, reducing the risk of errors that could mess up your car's systems. 
 

Plus, it gives you access to vehicle data so you can be sure that diagnostic fault codes are accurate, up-to-date, and fully compatible with your car. 

 

Get officially-licensed tool
 

Here’s a quick comparison of OBDeleven vs Carly features in the table below:
 

 

 

 

 

Advanced Diagnostics for Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota Groups
 

OBDeleven’s Advanced Diagnostics gives you full access to all available vehicle control units. These go beyond the engine and include transmission, ABS, airbags, multimedia, air conditioning, electronics, steering, and more.
 

Advanced Diagnostics comes with the OBDeleven NextGen device and doesn’t require any additional payments or subscriptions.
 

Here’s how it works:
 

For Volkswagen Group vehicles  
 

You can dig deeper into each control unit to view detailed data, like system descriptions, ODX names, serial numbers, and software/hardware details.
 

Fault codes come with extra information, too. You'll see the fault name, code, and status (static or active). Plus, there’s a direct link to Google for instant search results tailored to your car model and year.  
 

For BMW and Toyota Group vehicles 
 

In addition to detailed fault descriptions, you'll get repair plans telling what parts you need to check and how to fix the problem.  
 
Note: OBDeleven is working on even more advanced repair plans that would include more expert insights for more vehicle makes, too.  
 

Live data and freeze frame data for Volkswagen Group
 

Two powerful diagnostic features you’ll find in OBDeleven are live data and freeze frame data: 
 

Example:  
 

If your check engine light comes on with a fault code for engine overheating, freeze frame data might show it happened at high RPMs and elevated coolant temperatures.
 

Then, as you monitor live data while driving, you might notice the engine temperature rises during hard acceleration.  
 

Combining these two features allows you to narrow down the issue – overheating under heavy load – and fix it more effectively. 
 

One-Click Apps for easy customizations (Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota Groups) 
 

One-Click Apps let you customize your car with just a tap. You can adjust, activate, or disable safety, comfort, and driving features – all without needing to know any coding.
 

It’s like coding, but without the hassle. No special knowledge or programming skills required. All you have to do is choose the feature you want and activate it. 
 

What can you do with One-Click Apps?  
 

Here are some examples of what you can customize: 

 

The options depend on your car’s make and equipment. Some models offer more features than others, but if you own a vehicle from the Volkswagen Group, BMW Group, or Toyota Group, you’ll definitely find plenty of options here.

 

How to access One-Click Apps? 
 

To activate One-Click Apps, you’ll need OBDeleven’s in-app currency – Credits – which you can purchase directly from our shop. 
 

For Volkswagen vehicles, One-Click Apps are included in the ULTIMATE VAG plan, giving subscription owners unlimited access at no extra cost. 
 

SFD unlock for Volkswagen Group vehicles  
 

Volkswagen introduced SFD (Schutz Fahrzeug Diagnose) protection to prevent unauthorized access to critical vehicle functions like coding, adaptations, and parameterization.  
 

This security feature affects cars from 2020 onwards, as well as platforms like MQB Evo and MEB. Popular models with SFD include the VW Golf 8, Škoda Octavia IV, and Audi A3 8Y. 
 

OBDeleven’s solution:  
 

With official licensing from Volkswagen Group, OBDeleven offers an SFD auto-unlock feature that makes bypassing this protection simple. When you try to modify a locked control unit, the app automatically requests an SFD token from Volkswagen’s servers to unlock it – seamlessly and without extra effort on your part. 
 

What it means for you: 
 

VAG coding & adaptations 
 

Once you’ve unlocked full access, the real fun begins for those who want to dive deep into their car’s systems. 
 

OBDeleven offers advanced coding and adaptations specifically for Volkswagen Group (VAG) vehicles. These features allow you to customize and fine-tune a wide range of settings within your car’s electronic control units (ECUs), much like a professional mechanic. 
 

Key functions include: 
 

While OBDeleven makes these advanced features accessible, having a solid understanding of vehicle systems is important to avoid any unintended issues. 
 

However, you can prevent mistakes by using the control unit backup feature before making changes. This will allow you to restore the original settings if necessary. 
 

SFD-locked advanced features are available with the PRO VAG plan, which you can get for €49.99 per year.

 

OBD2 Diagnostics for all other car brands 
 

OBDeleven isn’t limited to the brands it's officially licensed with, though.  
 

With the Basic OBD2 Diagnostics feature, you can diagnose engine-related issues on any other car brand that supports the CAN-bus protocol – typically vehicles made after 2008. 
 

So, whether you drive a Mercedes, Ford, Mazda, or another brand, you can use OBDeleven to scan your engine, view fault codes, get detailed descriptions, and even see repair plans. Plus, there are handy Google buttons for quick searches tailored to your vehicle, as well as live data parameters from the engine control unit available.  
 

Just like with Advanced Diagnostics, you can clear faults easily, which not only turns off dashboard warning lights but also confirms that the problem has been resolved. 

 

Get OBDeleven for your vehicle
 

Carly is another well-known car tech company, based in Munich, Germany. Their goal is to connect drivers with the hidden information inside their cars, offering simple solutions throughout the life of car ownership. 
 

Carly Universal Adapter 
 

Carly’s solution centers around its proprietary Bluetooth adapter. This device plugs into your car’s OBD2 port and connects to the Carly mobile app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. 
 

Wide brand coverage 
 

Carly is compatible with a wide range of car brands – so if you own vehicles from multiple manufacturers or plan to switch cars in the future, this could be a big advantage. It currently supports over 40 brands, including: 
 

However, while Carly supports a wide range of brands, the depth of functionality can vary between them. Advanced features like coding and customizations are typically only available for certain brands, such as BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Škoda, and MINI. For many other brands, Carly may primarily offer Basic OBD features.
 

If you’re considering Carly for its advanced features, it's important to check their official website to see exactly what’s available for your specific car model. 
 

 

Basic OBD features 
 

Carly provides essential OBD-level diagnostics that are compatible with most car brands manufactured after 2001 and support the OBD2 protocol. With Carly’s basic functions, you can: 
 

Advanced Diagnostics 
 

For deeper insights, Carly’s Advanced Diagnostics reads fault codes from up to 80 electronic control units (ECUs), depending on your car’s brand and model.  
 

For select brands like BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, Carly can scan systems like ABS, airbags, and transmission, going beyond the engine.  
 

The process goes like this:
 

Carly Smart Mechanic 
 

Carly's Smart Mechanic feature is especially useful for users without deep mechanical knowledge. 
 

When a fault code is detected, Smart Mechanic offers step-by-step repair guides and maintenance tips written by expert mechanics, as Carly claims.  
 

Smart Mechanic includes information like the fault code, last occurrence mileage, potential consequences, expert guide, description of a faulty vehicle system (functionality, symptoms, causes), related faults, and more.  
 

You can get this feature for an extra €36 per year.  
 

Note: The depth of information provided by Smart Mechanic may also vary depending on the car brand and model. 
 

Carly Checks 
 

Carly also includes two unique check features: Used Car Check and Battery Check. 
 

The Used Car Check is for those in the market for a pre-owned vehicle. This feature analyzes the car's ECUs to detect potential issues such as odometer fraud or hidden faults that might not show up while inspecting visually. For example, if some control unit’s mileage is 80 000 kilometers while your speedometer shows 60 000 – the odometer was tampered, clearly.  
 

The Battery Check is another tool that lets you monitor your vehicle’s starter battery and receive recommendations to extend its lifespan. It analyzes long-term battery health (runs analysis for 24 hours) and then shows the state of health, battery’s charge level, and self-discharge. 
 

Carly Coding  
 

Carly’s Coding feature allows you to unlock hidden features and customize your car’s settings. Available for vehicles like BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Škoda, and MINI, it enables you to:
 

There’s an extensive library of Carly’s coding options depending on vehicle model and equipment, so it’s best to refer to their official website for the exact options.  
 

Carly Coding also has an automatic backup system. Before you make any changes, Carly saves a backup so you can easily revert to the original settings if needed.  
 

Carly Data and Maintenance 
 

Carly also helps manage your vehicle’s maintenance. You can reset service intervals right from your phone after tasks like oil changes. That’s what OBDeleven also offers through One-Click Apps.  
 

Both Carly and OBDeleven support engine live data monitoring, giving real-time insights into engine performance metrics like RPM and coolant temperature. Carly includes this feature in its general diagnostics package. 
 

Additional features 
 

Carly provides a few unique features aimed at car enthusiasts. 
 

One standout feature is Exhaust Flap Control, available on select models. It lets you manually adjust the exhaust flap for a sportier or quieter ride. OBDeleven offers that for BMW Group and Volkswagen Group vehicles, too.  
 

Another feature is NOx Filter Management for diesel vehicles. Carly helps monitor the condition of the NOx catalyst filter, which can clog over time and thus affect performance and emissions. In the OBDeleven app, you’d be able to access this information through live data, too.  
 

Lastly, Carly offers a Repair Cost Estimation feature. It’s accessible through their website – here, you need to input your car brand, model, fuel, and build year. Then, choose the mileage range and answer a few extra questions about your driving habits and issue symptoms. After that, you’re asked to provide your email to access the report.  
 

Once you’re done, you get a list of possible issues with estimated prices for car parts and work time. You can also view discussions about related issues, the probability of the issue, typical consequences, and a description of the faulty system. 
 

Both OBDeleven and Carly offer different pricing models to suit varying customer needs. 
 

OBDeleven pricing: 
 

Carly pricing: 
 

 

The decision between OBDeleven and Carly largely depends on your specific needs, vehicle make, and what you value most in a diagnostic tool.
 

Choose OBDeleven if:
 

Choose Carly if: 
 

Both OBDeleven and Carly offer robust features that can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of your vehicle. OBDeleven has official manufacturer licenses and provides free diagnostics with no extra paywalls, as well as customization options for specific car groups.  
 

Meanwhile, Carly offers wider car brand support and unique features like Smart Mechanic and Repair Cost Estimation. 
 

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your vehicle, the features you need, and your budget. Consider what matters most to you and how each tool fits your specific needs.