OBDeleven vs Carly vs Carista: Coding with OBD2 scanners

I tested OBDeleven, Carista, and Carly on multiple vehicles to find the best one for car diagnostics and customization. Here’s a quick overview:

Quick Answer: OBDeleven is the Winner for VAG, use Carista for other brands not supported by OBD11. Do not buy Carly.

Quick Comparison

Feature	OBDeleven	Carista	Carly
Price	$60 + $50/year	$50/year	$150/year
Vehicle Coverage	VAG, BMW, Mini, RR, others (engine only)	VAG, BMW, Nissan/Infiniti, Toyota/Lexus/Scion	All brands (limited functionality)
Free App Features	Full live data, bi-directional tests, service functions (credits)	Basic read/clear codes	Basic read/clear codes
Premium Features	Extensive coding, adaptations, service functions, VAG long coding	Limited to coding and basic diagnostics	Limited to coding and basic diagnostics
Overall Rating	9.5/10	7.5/10	2/10

Pros and Cons

Feature	OBDeleven	Carista	Carly
Pros	Full scan (all modules) Full live data (all modules) Bi-directional SFD unlock (coding for 2020+) Adaptations Long coding One-click apps (pre-made codings)	Full scan (all modules) Service procedures ECU coding (unlock hidden features)	Vehicle coverage
Cons	Subscription (PRO Plan)	Not full support of Global OBD modes	Overpriced Limited advanced features False descriptions

Vehicle Coverage

Brand	OBDeleven	Carista	Carly
VAG (VW, Audi, etc.)	Yes	Yes	Yes
BMW (Mini, RR)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Nissan/Infiniti	Limited (engine only)	Yes	Limited
Toyota/Lexus/Scion	Limited (engine only)	Yes	Limited
Other Brands	Limited (engine only)	No coding	Limited

Price Comparison

Tool	Adapter Cost	Annual Subscription	First Year Total	Subsequent Years
OBDeleven	$60	$50/year	$110	$50/year
Carista	$40 (optional)	$50/year	$50-$90	$50/year
Carly	Free	$150/year	$150	$100/year

Free App Features

Feature	OBDeleven	Carista	Carly
Read Codes	Yes (all modules)	Yes	Yes
Clear Codes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Full Live Data	Yes	No	No
Freeze Frame	Yes	No	No
Bi-Directional Tests	Yes	No	No
Service Functions	Yes (credits)	No	No
Customization	Yes (credits)	No	No

Premium Plan Features

Feature	OBDeleven	Carista	Carly
Full Live Data	Yes	Limited	Limited
Bi-Directional Tests	Yes	No	No
Service Functions	Yes	Limited	Limited
Customization	Yes	Yes	Yes
VAG Long Coding	Yes	No	No
Adaptations	Yes	No	No
Basic Settings	Yes	No	No
Control Unit Reset	Yes	No	No
SFD + Other Coding Functions	Yes	No	No

Personal Experience

• OBDeleven: Best for serious diagnostics and customizations for VAG cars. Used for coding, service procedures, and verifying real mileage. Full diagnostic features make it great for buying used cars.
  
• Carista: Good for disabling seatbelt warnings and minor customizations, especially for non-European cars. Limited functions for serious diagnostics.
  
• Carly: Overpriced and limited features. Disappointing performance and value compared to others.

Conclusion

• For VAG Cars: OBDeleven
• For Basic Customizations: Carista
• Avoid: Carly

OBDeleven offers the most features and value, making it the top choice for car diagnostics and customizations.