Comparing the Top Diagnostic Tool Brands: What Is the Best for You?

With so many different options for diagnostic tools out there, how are you supposed to find the right one?

This blog aims to help you choose between the most popular brands, whether you’re just a beginner in diagnostic repair or a professional technician. We have compiled this list of popular diagnostic tool brands and picked some recommended devices based on features like vehicle coverage, functionality, and value for money.

When calculating your return on investment for a brand, make sure to consider your budget, brands supported by the tool and ongoing costs.

Recommendations Summary

Launch, Autel & TOPDON

Recommendation for: Beginners and budget-conscious users

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 10/10
• Basic Functions: 10/10
• Full Functions: 2/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Usability: 7/10

Snap-on

Recommendation for: Users seeking good support and reliable tools

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 8/10
• Basic Functions: 8/10
• Full Functions: 3/10
• Value for Money: 6/10
• Usability: 8/10

TEXA

Recommendation for: Those primarily working on trucks

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 8/10
• Basic Functions: 7/10
• Full Functions: 3/10
• Value for Money: 6/10
• Usability: 6/10

Delphi, Autocomm, Wurth Wow

Recommendation for: Users with European vehicles and light commercial needs

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 9/10
• Basic Functions: 10/10
• Full Functions: 2/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Usability: 9/10

Hella Gutmann

Recommendation for: Those looking for OEM-focused tools

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 8/10
• Basic Functions: 6/10
• Full Functions: 2/10
• Value for Money: 5/10
• Usability: 5/10

Bosch

Recommendation for: Users seeking powerful tools with extensive information

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 10/10
• Basic Functions: 9/10
• Full Functions: 2/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Usability: 7/10

OPUS IVS (formerly Autologic)

Recommendation for: Users who need a versatile diagnostic bundle

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 10/10
• Basic Functions: 9/10
• Full Functions: 4/10
• Value for Money: 5/10
• Usability: 7/10

OEM Diagnostic Tools

Recommendation for: Professional mechanics and workshops

• Vehicle Support / Coverage: 10/10
• Basic Functions: 10/10
• Full Functions: 10/10
• Value for Money: 10/10
• Usability: 5/10

Launch, Autel, & TOPDON

These three frequently change places for first place; they all offer multiple hardware types with lower priced affordable units, good overall basic fault code reading, calibrations, and resets. All provide basic support and some limited technical data.

Launch, Autel and TOPDON are all developed and manufactured in China. The tools all have the same functions, offering more or less depending on how much you spend. It’s more about the marketing battle and pricing than functionality differences.

All three now offer remote-assisted programming, but our advice for these is to find a well-established European remote tool specialist. Customers report these services are hit-and-miss (to put it mildly), often using out-of-date cloned or copied dealer tool software.

They also offer many J2534 pass-thru compliant interfaces. Buyer – beware! “Compliant” does not mean manufacturer approved. Most users report experiencing complete failure in using these interfaces and have reverted to purchasing a “fully approved device”. Users also tell us that manufacturers’ security gateway access is needed.

Unlocking a vehicle security gateway for FCA (Fiat Chrysler Alfa) is no problem with these tools.

Snap-on

Snap-on Diagnostics has a vast range of diagnostic hardware of various shapes and sizes, some with oscilloscopes using the same software. Their tools are sold through an extensive franchise network of tool van sellers throughout Europe and the USA. Easy payments ensure customers are fully serviced and regularly update their units’ hardware.

Snap-on offers both car and truck diagnostic platforms. The truck software is rebranded Jaltest software, made in Spain and used by several other manufacturers.

Unlike the lower-priced Chinese tools, Snap-on prides itself on the information available to users and has its support services and live training events alongside online training.

Snap-on offers approved J2534 devices, which are rebranded Opus IVS CarDAQ-Plus devices and work perfectly well with a separate laptop, OEM registration and subscription.

On the downside, users report Snap-on tools as being “not as cost-effective” as the Chinese tools due to rolling payments and difficulty gauging the total cost of a Snap-on device over its lifetime. However, the company does provide excellent support and regular software updates, and the vehicle coverage is good (although it tends to be more regional than global).

In Europe, remote-assisted programming is currently not used for Snap-on. In the USA, they have a partnership with Opus IVS/Drew Technologies’ RAP system. RAP is rebranded as a “pass-thru assistant” security gateway access for FCA, which has been reported to work perfectly.

TEXA

TEXA diagnostic tools always stay high in the top 10, as they are one of the most diverse manufacturers and still number 1 in Europe for aftermarket truck software.

They offer Car, Truck, Bike, Agricultural and off-highway (plant and equipment) devices, in-house training and technical support contacts. The tools include some guided functionality and wiring diagrams.

TEXA is an Italian company that also provides dealer equipment to Italian motorcycle manufacturers. They have a diverse range of add-on hardware, such as ADAS kits and oscilloscopes. These pass-thru tools have some J2534 approval (limited by diagnostic device and by manufacturer approval), as well as FCA gateway access.

However, this all comes at a cost. Compared to the competition, TEXA can have high software pricing and expensive hardware and accessories. The car software is reported to have insufficient coverage, with the Italian manufacturers having the best coverage. The software can be a little tricky to navigate for first-time users, although TEXA says they will continue to strive to improve this. Remote-assisted programming has yet to be available, with industry rumours of TEXA partnering with another European company.

Overall, if you want a comprehensive tool for cars, trucks and bikes with a massive range of cables and accessories, this could be your device.

Delphi, Autocomm, Wurth Wow

In case you didn’t know, many diagnostic tools have the same parents, and, like siblings, they come in different shapes and sizes. Autocomm, the parent company based in Sweden, has two offerings for passenger cars and trucks, including light commercial. The tool is laptop based with several different interfaces depending on the brand.

Users report ease of use and excellent coverage for European vehicles, plus excellent EV and hybrid vehicle coverage. Truck coverage is not quite up to Texa standard. Still, it is excellent value, depending on the brands you’re interested in. Complete truck cable sets are also available; overall, customers find the software and devices excellent value.

Additional features depending on the model, including VRM lookup and decent technical data.

On the downside, customers say technical support is lacking, but we should point out that this is free.

The basic setup is easy, and your choice of distributor typically assists with this.

The latest version of all interfaces has some limited pass-thru approvals. Don’t get confused with the previous Delphi pass-thru offering – this was the fully approved Drew tech CarDAQ unit. Unfortunately, customers reported the support and setup were very poorly conceived and executed by Delphi.

Depending on your chosen brand, FCA Secure gateway access is also reasonably straightforward. There is currently no remote diagnostic offering, although the rumour is they will partner with a European provider.

Hella Gutmann.

Most automotive people have heard of Hella as they are an OEM-focused German manufacturer of vehicle system electronics, best known for vehicle lighting.

Hella has focused heavily on its aftermarket diagnostic equipment range over the last few years, offering a complete ADAS system to work with its diagnostic tools.

Their information system and backup are second to none. However, customers report some of their systems and approaches as being slightly over-complex and over-engineered.

Overall, coverage is good and in-depth for European brands. However, users have reported a lack of some additional coding functionality that other tools could cover. This is possibly because Hella, an OEM manufacturer, doesn’t want to upset the vehicle manufacturers it supplies by carrying out these functions. We are told Hella has embarked on a partnership with a European remote support company to help users around these programming and coding issues.

Support is excellent, and their “Hella Tech world” contains very useful information for free. Again, they supply “Pass-thru compliant devices”, and FCA access is easy since the tool is fully approved.

Bosch

Bosch is one of the best-known and largest Original Equipment (OE) parts manufacturers, known for their fuel injection, engine management, and ABS systems. They have been in the aftermarket diagnostics business for over 30 years with their KTS devices and ESI software and have been a market leader for many years.

Bosch ESI has a range of information applications available depending on the package, including advanced diesel component repair and electrical testing, as well as mechanical information options.

It also includes guided diagnostics for most common components and generic wiring diagrams with a few specific OE. In the right hands and with some basic training, it is a powerful tool.

Bosch truck is again “Jal test” software reworked into the ESI format. Programming functions are lacking, and again we suspect because of Bosch’s OEM ties, there are some holes in coverage for far eastern brands.

KTS 560/590 models are approved by multiple manufacturers for pass-thru as, in some cases, Bosh is the original manufacturer of the dealer tool interface and supply tools, such as the Ford VCM3, the GM MDI and the Mercedes Xentry.

Customers still need help, finding the setup trickier than using the dedicated pass-thru tools and complain about the lack of pass-thru support.

Additionally, the KTS firmware must be re-flashed to use pass-thru applications, which can cause issues.

FCA Gateway access is easy, and support and training are the staples of Bosch’s offering. The complaint about the ESI system was always that the software locks out if the subscription is not continued.

As most software is going online, this model is now being used by many other diagnostic tool manufacturers, so this argument seems less relevant. Bosch is also talking to a European remote tool supplier.

Overall, Bosch tools are powerful, in the right hands after some basic training. But customers may experience limitations with coverage for certain brands.

OPUS IVS (formerly Autologic)

This review concentrates specifically on the latest Drive Pro bundle. Opus Group AB Sweden bought Autologic in 2017. Simultaneously, they also acquired Drew Technologies in the USA (the pass-thru and remote specialist company). This brought about the eventual rebrand to OPUS IVS.

The Autologic blue box was a formidable tool, with virtually OE programming functionality. However, as vehicle software has progressed, it’s been tough for any aftermarket tools to keep up.

To combat this, the Drive Pro has a multi-faceted bundle, including the Drive Pro itself. This very user-friendly multi-manufacturer tablet includes full technical support for both vehicle and software.

Further bundle options are for the Autocom tool adding additional coverage, a remote support option through the Drive Pro, and an option for Drewtech RAP devices.

All this comes at a price, and recently users have been complaining about the reaction speed of support services and the lack of full OEM coverage.

Unfortunately, this is now inevitable with all aftermarket tools becoming online.

Pass-through access is provided through the market-leading CarDAQ tool. Opus is the manufacturer of this product. However, as explained earlier, the support is not being carried out in-house as this entails a separate application process.

OEM Diagnostic Tools

The use of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Diagnostic Tools has been rising since 2015, and while they may not be suitable for everyone, they can be a cost-effective solution for workshops that are trained and supported to use them properly.

Many workshops had cracked software and copied/cloned dealer tools, only to be left with a sour taste as vehicle manufacturers have evolved. Vehicle software and security have gone online, making these copy tools obsolete. (see our blog on the dangers of clone tools).

A significant problem with dealer tools is they are simply a big commitment. The upfront cost and the need for technical support can be a hassle. The software needs to be updated regularly and can run into many technical issues, such as conflicting software.

However, these tools have become the only way to fully repair vehicles. They can become cost-effective if workshops are trained and supported to use them properly and are charged to the end user correctly.
After all, their only competitor is the main dealer.

The top 10% of workshops worldwide have already recognised the value of these tools, and use them to provide the best service to their customers. These workshops have an array of dealer tools that are supported by an external team.

If you are a single-brand workshop or service a high volume of a specific brand, it becomes a no-brainer to invest in genuine OEM diagnostic tools.

Choose your favourite manufacturer to work with and make sure to receive proper training and support, and you won’t look back.

Recommendations

Based on the features and scores we have listed above, here are our recommendations for the top diagnostic tool brands:

On a Budget:

Launch, Autel & TOPDON

For those on a budget or just starting out in diagnostic repair, Launch, Autel, and TOPDON are all good options. They offer a range of hardware types at lower prices, with good overall basic fault code reading, calibrations, and resets.

However, be aware that their full functions, information services, and guided functions may not be as robust as the other more expensive brands, and their pass-thru access and training and support services may not be as reliable.

LAUNCH CRP129 Evo

Call for price

TOPDON Phoenix Lite 3

£945.00 ex. VAT

Autel MaxiCheck MX900C

£499.00 ex. VAT

Mid Range:

Snap-on

If you are willing to invest slightly more in a tool with a wider range of features and better support services, Snap-on may be the right choice for you. Their tools offer a good range of vehicle coverage, basic functions and a user-friendly interface.

They also provide excellent information services, guided functions, and training and support. However, keep in mind that the total cost of a Snap-on device over its lifetime may be higher than some other brands.

Delphi

If you need excellent coverage for European vehicles, including electric and hybrid vehicles, but don’t need remote diagnostics, Delphi is the choice for you. While their free technical support may be lacking, their tools have better vehicle coverage and basic function support than most.

TEXA

If you primarily work on trucks and need a high-quality diagnostic tool, TEXA is a solid choice. They offer a range of hardware types at various price points, with a user-friendly interface and good basic and full functions. Their information services, guided functions, and training and support are also top-notch. The only downside is that their pass-thru access may not be as reliable as some other brands.

High End:

Bosch & Opus IVS

For those in need of a professional-grade diagnostic tool with a comprehensive range of functions, training, and support services, Bosch and Opus IVS are very good options.

Their tools are more expensive, but both brands offer great vehicle coverage, basic and full functions, and the best user-friendliness of any brand. They also provide excellent information services and pass-thru access. The only downside is that the value for money may not be as good as some other brands.

Bosch MTS 6531

£2,195.00 – £2,595.00 ex. VAT

Porsche Pass-Thru Kit – CarDAQ Plus 3

£1,795.00 – £5,388.49 ex. VAT

Mongoose Plus – Pass-Thru Dongles

£825.00 ex. VAT

OEM Tools

If you are a professional mechanic or workshop looking for the most comprehensive and reliable diagnostic tool available, OEM tools are the best option. These tools are specifically designed and approved by the vehicle manufacturer for use on their vehicles, and they offer the most accurate and up-to-date diagnostic information and functions.

These tools have a high upfront cost, due to some brands having specific requirements for computers, as well as the cost of using the OEM software. However, they offer the largest range of functions, the best training and support services of any option, and also have the best vehicle coverage for their specific brand, including access to the latest models and systems.

While OEM tools may not be necessary for all diagnostic needs, they are essential for professionals who need the highest level of accuracy and reliability. We highly recommend investing in an OEM diagnostic tool if you are in this category.

If you’d like advice or want to discuss if OEM tools are right for you, feel free to contact us here.

BMW ICOM Next A

£1,594.50 – £6,160.26 ex. VAT

VW – VAS 6154B

£2,397.95 – £5,979.20 ex. VAT

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Pathfinder

£1,798.48 – £5,687.97 ex. VAT

Ultimately, the right diagnostic tool for you depends on your specific needs and budget. We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision.