#Tools & plans
OBDeleven strikes a balance between simplicity and depth.
Both tools can be used by non-experts, but they take slightly different approaches.
OBDeleven vs FIXD: Which OBD2 scanner is right for you?
TL;DR: Choose FIXD if you only need simple check engine light explanations, engine-only diagnostics and automatic maintenance reminders. Choose OBDeleven if you want a tool that works as a basic OBD scanner but also lets you diagnose all vehicle systems and unlock hidden features on licensed brands (VW, BMW, Toyota Groups and Ford (US)). If you own an EV from one of these manufacturers, OBDeleven is the superior choice, as FIXD does not specify support for electric vehicles.
OBDeleven and FIXD are two popular OBD scanners designed to make car diagnostics easier for everyday drivers. At a glance, they may seem similar – both plug into your car, connect to an app, and help you understand what’s going on under the hood. While some functions overlap, many differ, especially in terms of depth.
In this guide, we’ll compare OBDeleven and FIXD side by side – covering compatibility, diagnostics, ease of use, pricing, and overall value – so you can quickly see which tool makes the most sense for your car and how you use it.
| Category | FIXD | OBDeleven |
| Device type | Bluetooth OBD2 dongle | Bluetooth OBD2 dongle |
| Platform | iOS & Android app | iOS & Android app |
| Vehicle coverage |
All OBD-II cars (1996+ petrol, 2008+ diesel) sold in the US
Coverage outside US may be limited (best suited for 2006+ vehicles)
Does not support EVs
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All OBD-II cars for engine diagnostics and full-system access on supported brands (VW Group, BMW, Toyota/Lexus, Ford US)
Worldwide coverage, some features/brands vary per region
Supports EVs for officially licensed brands
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| Official licenses | None | Officially licensed by VW, BMW, Toyota Groups + Ford US |
| Core purpose | Check engine light explanations + auto maintenance alerts | Full diagnostics, fault codes & clearing, customization, manual coding, service functions, car buying assistance |
| Diagnostics depth | Engine & emissions codes only | Engine + all vehicle control modules (on supported brands) |
| Live data | Yes (engine data) | Yes (full system live data for supported brands, OBD2 for others) |
| Maintenance reminders | Yes (automatic) | Yes (manual input, automatic suggestions) |
| Customizations/coding | No | Yes (One-Click Apps + manual coding for VW Group) |
| Ease of use | Extremely beginner-friendly | Beginner-friendly for scanning, reminders, One-Click Apps; manual coding for more advanced users |
| Pricing model | $59.99 for device + optional Premium subscription for $99.99 + tax billed annually |
€84.99 for device + optional plans (subscriptions) for advanced use and in-app Credits for One-Click Apps:
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| Best for | Drivers who want simple basic diagnostics & maintenance tracking | Drivers who want deeper diagnostics, customizations, and official licensing |
What is OBDeleven?
OBDeleven is a compact Bluetooth OBD2 scanner that turns your smartphone into a powerful car diagnostics and maintenance tool. You plug it into your car’s OBD port, open the app, and within seconds you can scan your vehicle, check faults (OBD codes), and view live data – no extra hardware or cables needed.
At a basic level, OBDeleven works like a traditional OBD2 scanner, reading engine fault codes on most modern cars. Where it really stands out is officially licensed brands, including Volkswagen Group, BMW/MINI, Toyota/Lexus, and Ford (US), where it offers advanced diagnostics and pre-coded customizations.
Depending on the car, you can go further by running output tests, doing service resets, or changing settings through One-Click Apps. These pre-coded functions make locked comfort, safety, lightning, and other settings adjustable with just a few taps. More experienced users can go even further with manual coding and adaptations, available for Volkswagen Group vehicles.
On top of that, OBDeleven includes tools designed for long-term car ownership. These include Maintenance reminders, Emissions readiness check, Mileage check, Car buying assistant, and Hybrid battery check for Toyota and Lexus vehicles, among others.
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What is FIXD?
FIXD is an OBD scanner built for regular drivers who want simple, affordable car diagnostics without technical complexity. Like OBDeleven, it’s a small sensor that plugs into the OBD port and connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth.
FIXD focuses on translating check-engine lights (OBD fault codes) into clear, plain-language explanations. Instead of technical descriptions, users see easy-to-understand summaries of what’s wrong and how urgent the issue might be.
In addition to diagnostics and issue severity, FIXD also offers automatic maintenance alerts and live data gauges. Some additional features, like a mechanic hotline and repair cost estimates, are available with a Premium subscription.
However, FIXD does not support diagnostics beyond the engine and emissions systems and does not have manual coding and pre-coded customizations capabilities.
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Compatibility
OBDeleven supports basic engine diagnostics on any OBD2 car using the CAN-bus protocol (common from around 2008 onward). Electric vehicles are also included for licensed brands.
Its key advantage is depth on officially licensed brands – Volkswagen Group, BMW/MINI/Rolls-Royce, Toyota/Lexus, and Ford (US) – where it can access all major vehicle systems and do dealership-level adjustments.
Meanwhile, the FIXD website states that the device supports all gas-powered cars and trucks built after 1996, as well as diesel vehicles manufactured after 2008. However, support for vehicles produced outside the US may be limited, as FIXD recommends using the device with non-US models from 2006 or newer. Electric vehicles are not currently listed as supported by FIXD.
To confirm whether a car is compatible, check on OBDeleven’s Supported vehicles page or FIXD’s FAQ section.
Key difference:
Both OBDeleven and FIXD are universal on a wide range of brands for simple engine diagnostics, but FIXD does not support electric vehicles. OBDeleven is strongest on officially licensed brands, where it provides full-system access and advanced functionality.
Diagnostic capabilities
Both with OBDeleven and FIXD, scanning your car is straightforward: plug in the device, open the app, run a scan and see if there’s any issues. The biggest difference between OBDeleven and FIXD is how deep they go with diagnostics.
OBDeleven offers advanced diagnostics for supported licensed brands (VW, BMW, Toyota and Ford (US) Groups).
But was does that mean in practice?
On these vehicles, OBDeleven can access multiple control units across the car, not just the engine, giving you a much clearer picture of what’s happening in systems like transmission, ABS, and airbags.
Everything is clearly grouped and easy to navigate. For each fault, OBDeleven shows descriptions, live data, and freeze-frame information (for VAG vehicles), so you can understand not just what went wrong, but when and under what conditions. The interface keeps things simple for basic scans, while still giving you room to dig deeper when you want to.
FIXD, on the other hand, takes a much narrower approach.
It focuses on engine and emissions diagnostics, with the goal of explaining check engine lights in plain language. When a fault appears, FIXD tells you what it means and adds an Issue Severity rating to help you decide whether it’s something urgent or something that can wait.
Where FIXD stops is outside the engine. It doesn’t scan systems like ABS, airbags, or TPMS, and it isn’t built for deeper troubleshooting – that’s the trade-off for its simplicity.
FIXD can clear check engine lights on most gas cars (1996+) and some diesels (2008+), but it generally can’t reset other dashboard service lights such as TPMS, ABS, airbag, or maintenance reminders. Those systems use manufacturer-specific codes that aren’t accessible through the basic OBD-II standard and require official licensing – something OBDeleven provides for selected brands.
Verdict:
If you mainly want to know why your check engine light is on and keep the engine running smoothly, FIXD does the job well. If you want visibility into multiple vehicle systems – or the option to go beyond basic diagnostics when needed – OBDeleven gives you much more to work with.
Other features
Many people look at OBDeleven or FIXD primarily for diagnostics, but they also include additional features that can be useful in day-to-day car ownership. Here’s how the main ones stack up against each other beyond fault codes:
OBDeleven
One-Click Apps are OBDeleven’s most distinctive feature. They let you enable comfort features, change vehicle behavior, or perform service actions with a single tap. Each function is pre-configured for specific Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota and Ford (US) Group models, so users can get results without technical knowledge.
Manual coding & adaptations (PRO/ULTIMATE)
For advanced Volkswagen Group users, OBDeleven provides direct access to control units. Manual coding and adaptations allow precise adjustments – up to par with dealership-level tools.
Hybrid health, emissions & mileage checks
OBDeleven can run various check for your car’s long-term reliability. The Hybrid battery check (Toyota / Lexus) provides an overview of battery condition and potential degradation. Emissions readiness check confirms whether all monitors are complete, and the car is ready for inspection, while the Mileage check helps spot inconsistencies that could mean odometer tampering.
Gives you a handy checklist to follow during a car viewing and helps spot any potential issues and red flags.
Notifies you about upcoming service tasks based on time and mileage so you don’t miss routine maintenance.
If we were to look at dealership-level functionalities, OBDeleven also offers both live data across vehicle systems, feeze frame data, and service resets (oil, inspection, battery registration).
FIXD
Issue Severity
Explains how urgent a detected engine issue is, so you can quickly understand whether it needs immediate attention or can be postponed.
Live engine data
Shows basic real-time engine parameters like RPM and temperature, giving a simple view of how the engine is performing.
Maintenance Alerts
Tracks mileage and time to notify you about upcoming service tasks, helping prevent missed maintenance and avoidable repairs. Unlike OBDeleven, these reminders are automatic – based on your car’s mileage and usage, the app schedules and sends alerts for routine upkeep like oil changes and tire rotations.
Emissions readiness (Premium)
Indicates whether all emissions monitors are complete and the car is ready for an emissions test, reducing the risk of failed inspections.
Mechanic hotline (Premium)
Provides access to a mechanic for guidance and explanations, helping you decide on next steps without visiting a repair shop.
Other less-covered FIXD Premium features include repair cost estimation, future vehicle problem prediction, and vehicle history.
Key differences:
OBDeleven goes beyond diagnostics into vehicle customization and comprehensive maintenance support. It works almost like a platform for car enthusiasts and DIYers who want to interact directly with their vehicle’s software features. While not every user will rely on these tools daily, they add significant long-term value – especially for those who enjoy tinkering or optimizing how their car behaves.
FIXD also offers helpful extra features, but less of them, and many overlap with capabilities already available in OBDeleven. Also, Emissions readiness check is included in OBDeleven’s FREE plan, while FIXD requires a Premium subscription for it. One notable exception is FIXD’s Premium mechanic hotline, which provides direct access to professional advice.
Ease of use
OBDeleven strikes a balance between simplicity and depth.
Beginners can run one-tap scans and use guided One-Click Apps without touching technical settings, while more experienced users can dig into advanced menus when they’re ready. Despite its broader feature set, the interface stays clean and well organized, so the app doesn’t feel overwhelming as you grow into it.
In contrast, FIXD is built around instant results.
You plug in the sensor, open the app, and see what’s wrong almost immediately. The app keeps menus to a minimum, explains issues in plain language, and gives automatic notifications, making it easy to use with little to no learning curve.
Verdict:
Both tools can be used by non-experts, but they take slightly different approaches.
FIXD’s app offers more hand-holding with alerts and simple readouts, while OBDeleven provides a richer toolset you can explore at your own pace. If you’re comfortable with smartphone apps in general, neither should feel intimidating – it’s essentially plug in, pair, and scan.
Pricing & value
OBDeleven 3 starts at a one-time price of €84.99. This includes the latest device, and unlimited free diagnostics for as many vehicles as you wish.
Subscriptions and Credits for One-Click Apps are optional add-ons and can be purchased separately if needed. In short, OBDeleven offers three main plans:
| FREE | PRO (€59.99) | ULTIMATE (€189.99) |
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Included by default with OBDeleven 3. It provides unlimited advanced fault code reading and clearing, live data, history logs, and vehicle information. You can also use One-Click Apps, which are purchased individually with Credits (around €2 per function).
Extra in-app features, such as Maintenance reminders, Hybrid battery check, Car buying assistant, Emissions readiness check are Mileage check are part of the FREE plan too.
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Unlocks manual coding and adaptations for Volkswagen Group vehicles. This includes gateway coding, control unit backup and reset, basic settings, and more. The PRO plan also adds SFD unlock (not available with FREE) and includes priority support. | Includes everything in PRO, plus nearly unlimited Credits. This allows you to use as many One-Click Apps as you want without additional cost.* |
*Fair use policy applies. More info here.
FIXD device costs $59.99 (or €59.00). Together with it, you get basic diagnostics on multiple vehicles, maintenance reminders, issue severity insights, and access to live engine data.
For features like emissions readiness checks, repair cost estimates, vehicle history reports, predictive problem insights, and access to the mechanic hotline, you’ll need a FIXD Premium subscription. You can get a free 14-day trial, after which you will be billed €99.99 + tax annually.
Considering all this, OBDeleven has a €25 higher up-front cost for the base device than FIXD. However, if you want PRO or Premium features on each device, OBDeleven’s bundle comes out cheaper at €139.99 (including 100 free Credits), while FIXD costs €159.99.
Verdict:
FIXD offers a lower entry cost but relies on a subscription upsell for access to its premium features. OBDeleven has a higher upfront cost but provides greater long-term flexibility letting users choose between added plans or individual Credits.
FIXD offers a lower entry cost but relies on a subscription upsell for access to its premium features. OBDeleven has a higher upfront cost but provides greater long-term flexibility letting users choose between added plans or individual Credits.
Value considerations:
If you compare purely one-time costs, OBDeleven’s device is a bit pricier than FIXD’s sensor. However, OBDeleven delivers significantly more functionality without a subscription (especially for officially licensed car makes), while FIXD’s most valuable features – such as the mechanic hotline – require an ongoing subscription.
For everyday drivers on a budget who mainly want to read engine codes and receive maintenance reminders, FIXD’s $59.99 one-time purchase is an accessible option. But if you expect to need deeper diagnostics or want to customize a compatible vehicle, OBDeleven’s $84.99 upfront cost can pay for itself quickly – especially when a single dealer diagnostic session can easily exceed $100.
Which device is better for you?
Choose OBDeleven if:
- You want deeper diagnostics beyond the engine
- You drive a VW Group car, BMW Group vehicle, Toyota/Lexus, or Ford (US)
- You own an EV from one of the licensed brands
- You want to reset service lights yourself
- You’re interested in unlocking hidden features and customizing your car
- You want more ownership tools – Mileage check, Hybrid battery check, Car buying assistant, and more
Choose FIXD if:
- You want simple check engine light explanations
- You don’t care about vehicle customization
- You don’t need manual coding or advanced diagnostics
- You prefer automatic maintenance reminders and alerts
Final verdict
Both tools can save you money and cut down on garage visits, especially when it comes to doing routine diagnostics.
FIXD is best if you want quick answers, simple explanations, and minimal effort.
OBDeleven is the more universal of the two, and definitely a better choice if you want deeper insights, more control, and tools you can keep growing into over time.
Appareil OBDeleven 3 + 200 Crédits
Comprend l’appareil OBDeleven 3 et 200 crédits pour débloquer des fonctionnalités de voiture avec les One-Click Apps
€114.99
Pas de plan payant nécessaire
Disclaimer: Advice, how-to guides, and car care tips on our blog are intended as helpful resources for general maintenance and repairs. While we strive for accuracy, the information is provided to the best of our knowledge and should be used at your own discretion and risk.
Always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual or consult a certified mechanic for specific repair details and safety procedures.
Always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual or consult a certified mechanic for specific repair details and safety procedures.