Short answer: these apps aim at different buyers. AXLY is the best free pick for everyday diagnostics — free, any ~$26 adapter, AI explanations. Carly is a specialist tool for deep brand-specific coding on luxury makes, and it costs accordingly: its own adapter plus an annual brand license.
At a glance (2026)
| AXLY | Carly | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, no subscription | ~$80–95 adapter + ~$69–110/yr license |
| Adapter | Any Bluetooth LE adapter (~$26) | Carly adapter only |
| Free tier | Full core features free | Basic code reading only |
| AI explanations | ✅ Free (first 3 free, then one-time packs) | Smart Mechanic (subscription) |
| Live engine data | ✅ Free | Subscription |
| Brand-specific coding | — | ✅ Deep (BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi) |
| 0-60 / track timer | ✅ | — |
| Platform | iPhone only | iPhone + Android |
Pricing as of mid-2026 — check current pricing before buying.
Where AXLY wins
- Free, no subscription. Code reading and clearing, AI explanations, live data, 0-60 timing, and a garage are all free. The only thing you can pay for is more AI questions (first 3 free, then optional one-time packs).
- No proprietary hardware or annual license. Use any ~$26 Bluetooth adapter instead of Carly’s adapter plus a recurring brand license.
- AI explanations and track timer built in for any 1996+ vehicle.
Where Carly wins
- Brand-specific depth. For BMW, Mercedes, VW, and Audi, Carly goes deep on coding, module-level diagnostics, and customization that a general OBD2 app doesn’t attempt.
- Used-car / health checks. Carly’s brand-aware health reports are a real plus for buyers of a specific luxury make.
- Android. Carly is cross-platform; AXLY is iPhone-only for now.
Bottom line
If you want a free, no-subscription scanner for everyday diagnostics on any car, AXLY is the clear value. If you live in one luxury brand’s ecosystem and want deep coding and module diagnostics, Carly is the specialist — just budget for the adapter and the annual license.