OBDeleven vs Carly vs Carista: Coding with OBD2 scanners

I tested OBDeleven, Carista, and Carly on multiple real cars to see which one is best for diagnostics and coding. I also re-tested all of them in 2025 with newer adapters and updated apps.

Quick Answer:

For VAG (VW, Audi, Škoda, SEAT) ➜ OBDeleven is the clear winner.
For simple coding on other brands ➜ Carista is fine.
Carly ➜ I don’t recommend it to anyone.

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Quick Comparison

Short summary

OBDeleven 3
Best for VAG. Full-system diagnostics, strong coding, adaptations, One-Click Apps. Multi-brand features exist but I still treat VAG as the main reason to buy it.

Carista
Best for simple coding and comfort settings on many brands. Full-system scan, easy menus, but weak live data and not a full diagnostic tool.

Carly
Most expensive. Weakest features. Subscription trap. I consider it the worst-value Bluetooth tool I have ever tested.

Quick comparison table

OBDeleven 3

Pros
• Full scan on VAG (all modules)
• Full live data with graphs
• Bi-directional tests on many VAG models
• Strong coding, adaptations, long coding
• SFD support (not SFD2 yet)
• One-Click Apps for common tweaks
• Free plan already gives full diagnostics and live data

Cons
• Needs internet for most features
• PRO/ULTIMATE plans and Credits can be confusing
• 2024+ SFD2 VAG not supported for advanced stuff yet
• BMW/Toyota/Ford support is extra, not main value

Carista

Pros
• Very easy to use
• Strong coding on many models
• Full-system scan works on supported cars
• Simple service menus on some brands
• Can use cheap ELM327 adapters for short-term coding

Cons
• Weak live data, no graphs
• Limited service functions
• Subscription required for coding and service menus
• Classic adapter is slow, EVO is the only one I recommend
• Not a replacement for full diagnostic tools

Carly

Pros
• Some coding works on a few VAG models

Cons
• Hidden annual subscription, easy to miss on checkout
• Very poor compatibility and many non-working features
• No real full-system live data
• No bi-directional tests in my testing
• Almost no service resets
• Used Car Check only works in very specific cases, often wrong
• Global OBD live data wrong even on basic parameters like throttle
• Connection issues even on “supported” cars
• Worst value for money of all Bluetooth tools I tested
• For the price of one year of Carly you can buy a much stronger tool with lifetime updates

Free plan features

Premium plan features

Personal Experience

OBDeleven 3

For VAG, OBDeleven 3 is my main mobile tool.
I use it for:

• Coding
• Adaptations
• Service resets
• Used car checks

New adapter is faster. New app is more responsive, even if cloud-heavy.
It is not perfect, but it delivers what it promises.

Carista

I use Carista mainly for:

• Quick coding on Toyota, VAG, BMW
• Disabling seatbelt warnings
• Adjusting comfort settings

I don’t use it for serious diagnostics or deep repairs.
For that I use OBDeleven or tablet tools.
For one month of coding, Carista is perfect.

Carly

Carly is the only tool in this comparison I tell people to avoid completely.

I bought it twice, tested on multiple cars, wrote a full review, and made a viral video showing how bad it is.
Most people in comments under that video and under my old review had the same experience:

• Didn’t realise it’s yearly.
• Couldn’t cancel easily.
• Weak functions and broken promises.

Even if it was a one-time 150 € payment, I still wouldn’t recommend it.
As a yearly subscription it’s just insane.

Conclusion

For VAG cars:
• OBDeleven 3 is the best choice.
• Strong diagnostics, coding, and service functions.

For simple coding on many brands:
• Carista is a good app, especially with a cheap ELM327 and one-month plan.

Avoid:
• Carly – worst value, weak functions, and a subscription model I consider a deliberate trap.

If you are ready to spend money on tools, it is always better to:

• Buy OBDeleven 3 for VAG work.
• Use Carista short-term for simple coding.
• Or step up to a tablet scanner like Kingbolen K7, Mucar VO7, or Thinkcar tablets if you want multi-brand workshop functions.

Carly gives you none of that.
So in this comparison, Carly is not just the loser.
It’s the tool I recommend never to buy.he top choice for car diagnostics and customizations.

Why I Prefer Thinkcar / Mucar Tablets Over Subscriptions

If you are ready to spend 50–150 €/year on subscriptions for app-based adapters, it makes more sense to pay upfront for a serious tool with free lifetime updates.

Tools from Thinkcar or Mucar (like VO7, some Thinkcar tablets) often give you:

• full-system diagnostics on most brands
• real live data and bi-directional tests
• 30+ service functions
• ECU coding on many cars
• lifetime updates included

So instead of burning the same money every 2–4 years on subscriptions for weak adapters, you pay once, get a stronger tool, and keep it updated for free.

For most people this is simply smarter: one solid scanner with lifetime updates beats multiple years of paying for half-working Bluetooth subscriptions.

Best OBD2 scanners in 2025

I constantly test new OBD-II scanners to give you the best options possible. Here is a full list of the best tools in all categories currently.