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.
Car Diagnostics Training
- Car Electrical basics
- OBD-II scanner basics
- How to use an OBD reader
- Introduction to a Bi-directional Scan tool
- OBD scanner buyer’s guide + discounts
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.
Want to learn more?
Get one of my premium vehicle diagnosing courses here.
Not sure about the SFD item, especially for a 2023 Audi Q8. I think there’s another level of SFD that odb11 does not handle for the newer cars.
Yea I had some trouble also, but hope it is just temporary. OBDeleven seems still to be more effective than VCDS when it comes to newer VAG cars.