#OBDeleven
What is OBDeleven?
OBDeleven features
What is Carly?
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.
Pricing: OBDeleven vs Carly
So, which one should you go for – OBDeleven or Carly?
Wrapping up
OBDeleven vs Carly: Which is better for you?
If you’ve been looking for a car diagnostics and customization tool lately, you’ve likely come across two prominent names: OBDeleven and Carly. Both offer a range of features designed to help you understand and personalize your vehicle.
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.
What is OBDeleven?
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:
- Volkswagen Group (includes Audi, Volkswagen, Škoda, SEAT, CUPRA, Bentley, Lamborghini)
- BMW Group (includes BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce)
- Toyota Group (includes Toyota, Lexus)
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.
OBDeleven features
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 currently offers an AI-driven VIN lookup for Volkswagen Group vehicles only.
** At OBDeleven, you can check battery-related data in the live data parameters.
And here's the comparison of pricing:
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:
- You plug your OBDeleven NextGen device into your car’s OBD2 port and connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The device will automatically identify your vehicle, so there’s no need to manually enter your VIN or scroll through long lists to search for your car model.
- Then, you scan all the systems. It might take up to a few minutes, depending on the car make and available control units.
- Finally, you get a list of all detected control units, with clear indicators if any have faults.
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.
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:
- Live data: This feature gives you real-time data from your car’s sensors while the engine is running. It helps you monitor your car’s performance and spot issues that might not yet trigger a fault code. Learn more: How to read live data?
- Freeze frame data: This captures a snapshot of your car’s condition at the exact moment a fault code was triggered. It records key data points to help you understand what was happening when the issue occurred. Learn more: What is 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:
- Integrate retrofitted parts like parking sensors or LED lights
- Reset service lights – like oil change and service inspection
- Activate features like video in motion, needle sweep gauge tests, or dynamic turn signals
- Customize door locking functions or window controls, like closing windows with the remote key or enabling keyless door unlocking
- Change dashboard colors or even switch up the entire theme
- Register a new car battery
- And more
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.
Note: OBDeleven performs automatic backups for BMW and Toyota Group vehicles so you can easily revert any changes. Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group vehicle owners can create manual backups before making changes.
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:
- You can fully customize your vehicle’s settings
- All changes are made safely and alight with Volkswagen’s security protocols
- There’s no need for complicated workarounds or manual requests – OBDeleven handles everything automatically
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:
- Coding and long coding
- Adaptations and long adaptations
- Control unit reset (UDS)
- Control unit backup
- Basic settings
- Sub-control unit coding
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.
What is Carly?
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:
- BMW Group (BMW, MINI)
- Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Škoda)
- Mercedes-Benz
- Ford
- Toyota (from 2001+ models)
- Volvo
- Renault
- Others
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.
Carly features
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:
- Read and clear standard error codes related to the engine and transmission
- Ensure your vehicle meets environmental regulations with emissions tests by evaluating engine live data parameters such as misfires, fuel system, and catalytic performance
- View real-time parameters from your engine’s ECUs, helping with performance monitoring and basic troubleshooting
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:
1. You plug in Carly’s Universal Adapter into your car’s OBD2 port
2. Scan available vehicle systems
3. Get a list of control units, plus fault codes with descriptions
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:
- Customize lighting settings
- Modify how doors lock and unlock
- Activate digital speed displays
- And more
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.
Pricing: OBDeleven vs Carly
Both OBDeleven and Carly offer different pricing models to suit varying customer needs.
OBDeleven pricing:
- OBDeleven NextGen device: €59.99
- Advanced diagnostics: Included for free
- PRO VAG plan (Volkswagen Group): €49.99/year. Only needed if you want to use professional-level features like manual coding and adaptations.
- ULTIMATE VAG plan (Volkswagen Group): €139.99/year. Only needed if you want to use professional-level features like manual coding and adaptations, plus get access to unlimited free One-Click Apps.
- Credits for One-Click Apps: Starts at €1.99 for 10 Credits (most features cost around 10 Credits)
- Vehicle limit: No limit – you can add as many vehicles as you like
Carly pricing:
- Carly Adapter: €64.80 (device only)
- Single brand license: Starts at €74.90/year (price varies depending on car model)
- Smart Mechanic: €36/year
- All brands license: Annual fee for multi-brand access (+€39/year for all brands)
- Feature availability: Some advanced features may require additional in-app purchases on top of the single brand license
- Vehicle limit: Pricing increases with the number of car brands and advanced features you want to access
So, which one should you go for – OBDeleven or Carly?
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:
- You own a vehicle from the Volkswagen, BMW, or Toyota Groups and want deep, manufacturer-backed diagnostics at no extra cost
- You value official licensing and the assurance that comes with features tested to manufacturer standards
- You’re interested in SFD unlock and advanced coding and adaptations for Volkswagen Group vehicles
- You own other car brands and want free OBD2 diagnostics, which OBDeleven provides for all cars that support the OBD2 protocol (even without manufacturer licensing)
- You prefer a pricing model that offers free advanced diagnostics for an unlimited number of vehicles from Volkswagen, BMW, and Toyota Groups, along with flexible add-ons
Choose Carly if:
- You own a broader range of car brands, including Mercedes and Ford, and need a tool with wide brand coverage
- You want features like Smart Mechanic, which provides expert repair tips
- You're interested in unique features like NOx Filter Management
- You prefer having certain features accessible offline
Wrapping up
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.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on available information and provides an unbiased overview. Always refer to the official OBDeleven and Carly websites or contact their customer support for the most up-to-date details.