GeekOBD vs Torque Pro - Complete OBD2 Diagnostic App Comparison

2026-01-24 • AutoCodeHub Expert Team

GeekOBD vs Torque Pro: Complete OBD2 Diagnostic App Comparison

GeekOBD and Torque Pro are OBD-II scanner apps that turn a smartphone into a car diagnostic tool. Both connect to an OBD2 adapter to read engine data and trouble codes in real time, but they differ in features and approach. GeekOBD is a newer cross-platform app (Android/iOS) with a freemium model, whereas Torque Pro is a long-standing Android app with a one-time purchase. Below is a detailed comparison across key aspects, followed by a side-by-side summary table.

Features and Functionality

GeekOBD

Emphasizes a comprehensive feature set with both basic and advanced tools:

  • Customizable dashboards (multiple gauge layouts, HUD mode for windshield projection) and real-time voice alerts so you can get warnings without looking at your phone
  • Reads and clears engine DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) with user-friendly descriptions and even maintenance recommendations
  • Includes special diagnostic tests like an annual inspection simulator, battery health test, and throttle valve carbon buildup test for deeper analysis
  • Provides trip logging and driving behavior analysis – tracking routes, fuel consumption, speed, and habits (e.g. sudden braking) with visual maps and trend charts
  • Unique extras include an engine sound simulator, a dual-camera dashcam recorder, one-click car finder, and a community resource center for downloading shared gauge designs or alert schemes
  • Many of the higher-end functions (like unlimited dashboards, cloud data, and certain tests) are part of the PLUS membership tier, while the free version still covers essentials (real-time data, basic dashboards, code reading, etc.)

Torque Pro

Offers a rich set of features honed over years of development:

  • Provides live engine sensor data (speed, RPM, coolant temp, O₂, etc.) on fully customizable dashboards – you can design layouts with various dials, gauges, and themes to suit your taste
  • Reads and resets check-engine codes (CEL/DTC) and includes a massive built-in database of fault code definitions (covering many manufacturer-specific codes)
  • Excels in performance metrics: there's a built-in dyno (estimating horsepower and torque), 0–60 mph and quarter-mile timers, and even CO₂ emission estimates
  • Via plugins, Torque can record video with data overlay (the Track Recorder plugin acts as a "black box" dashcam) and can post real-time stats to the web or social media
  • Supports configurable alerts/warnings – for example, an alarm or voice speech can trigger if coolant temperature exceeds a threshold
  • Other notable features include HUD mode for night driving, graphing tools, trip fuel economy (MPG) tracking, and support for adding custom PIDs (for advanced users who want to monitor manufacturer-specific sensor data)

Supported Vehicles and OBD2 Protocols

GeekOBD

Works with any vehicle that is OBD-II compliant:

  • Most gasoline cars from 1996 onward (2001+ in Europe) and most diesel cars from the mid-2000s onward
  • Supports a wide range of brands including American, European, and Asian makes (e.g. Ford, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and even newer Chinese brands like Geely and BYD)
  • Built to be adapter-agnostic as long as the adapter uses the standard ELM327 command set
  • Supports all legislated OBD-II protocols: SAE J1850 PWM/VPW, ISO 9141-2, ISO 14230/KWP2000, and ISO 15765 CAN through the ELM327 interface

Torque Pro

Similarly compatible with virtually all OBD2-equipped vehicles worldwide:

  • Designed for any car or light truck that adheres to the OBD-II standard
  • Explicitly lists support for dozens of makes – Ford, GM/Opel, Chrysler, Mercedes, VW/Audi, Jaguar, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, BMW, Nissan, and many more
  • Relies on the ELM327 family of adapter chips, which handle all the low-level protocol differences
  • Supports all the common OBD-II protocols (CAN, ISO, SAE J1850, KWP2000, etc.) via a compatible adapter

Note: Both apps focus on OBD-II engine/powertrain data; manufacturer-specific systems (ABS, airbag, etc.) are generally not accessible, since those often require proprietary software or advanced scan tools.

Platform Compatibility

GeekOBD

Available on both Android and iOS platforms:

  • Android users can download it from Google Play, and iPhone/iPad users can find it on the iOS App Store
  • This cross-platform support makes GeekOBD fairly unique, as many OBD apps are single-platform
  • A few premium features are currently Android-only due to platform differences (noise monitoring, the built-in dashcam, and certain "racing" performance evaluations are supported on Android first, with iOS support planned)
  • For connectivity, GeekOBD uses Bluetooth to connect to adapters on both platforms
  • iOS devices require a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) adapter or WiFi OBD adapter because iOS doesn't support classic Bluetooth serial port profiles
  • The official MOBD adapter is dual-mode (Bluetooth 2.0 + 4.0) to ensure compatibility with both Android and iOS

Torque Pro

Android only:

  • The official Torque app by Ian Hawkins runs on Android devices (phones or tablets) and there is no iOS version by the original developer
  • The app is often used on Android smartphones or dedicated Android head units in cars
  • There is a free "Torque Lite" on Android as well, which is a feature-limited version to try out
  • iPhone users cannot use Torque, and typically use alternative apps like OBD Fusion, Car Scanner, or GeekOBD
  • On Android, Torque supports devices running Android OS 2.0 and above (compatible with modern versions and even older hardware)
  • Also supports landscape or tablet displays for those who mount a tablet as a dashboard gauge cluster

Platform support is a key difference: GeekOBD works on both major mobile OSes, whereas Torque is officially limited to Android.

User Interface and Ease of Use

GeekOBD

The app's interface is designed with a modern look and an emphasis on ease-of-use:

  • Provides ready-made dashboard themes and a powerful editor to tweak them
  • Even the default setup gives a clear overview of key data
  • Users can switch between portrait, landscape, or HUD mirrored mode easily for different mounting situations
  • The voice guidance means you don't have to constantly watch the screen while driving – a focus on safety and convenience
  • Translates technical diagnostics into plain language with "humanized" fault descriptions so that even non-experts can understand
  • Navigating the app is generally straightforward: once connected, it automatically scans for issues and logs your trip
  • The community resource center allows users to download shared gauge designs or alert schemes, lowering the learning curve for customization
  • Often praised for its polished UI and new-user-friendly features that "free your eyes" and simplify diagnostics

Torque Pro

Torque's interface is extremely flexible, giving the user full control:

  • When you first install Torque, you're presented with a blank dashboard where you can add various widgets (dials, digital readouts, graphs, etc.)
  • Customization is one of Torque's strongest points – you can change themes, dial styles, sizes, and layout to get the exact look you want
  • However, a new user might need to spend some time configuring their ideal dashboard and learning what PIDs (sensors) to display
  • The app doesn't hold your hand as much with ready presets; it expects you to pick what you want to see
  • Once set up, the gauges are clear and responsive, and you can swipe between different screens
  • Also supports HUD mode (mirror image for reflection on windshield at night) and can display data over Google Maps
  • Some users note that Torque's UI is a bit "utilitarian" or outdated in appearance (the app's design lineage goes back to early Android days)
  • Many long-term users report that they have "used and loved this app for years" and appreciate the customization

In summary: Torque's UI is highly configurable and powerful, but might require a short learning period for beginners to take full advantage, whereas GeekOBD provides more out-of-the-box polish for immediate use.

Data Logging and Performance Tracking

GeekOBD

Data logging is a core part of GeekOBD's value:

  • The app automatically records each trip's data — including speed, engine parameters, and route — and stores recent trips
  • The free version keeps 7 days of history, PLUS unlocks unlimited history
  • You can review trips on a map with overlays for fuel consumption and speed
  • Generates summary statistics: total mileage, trip durations, average fuel economy, and even a driving behavior score per trip
  • All data is presented with trend charts to visualize changes over time
  • Cloud sync: When you sign in, your trip records and vehicle reports can sync to your account, preserving data if you switch phones
  • Includes a "straight-line acceleration" test (e.g. 0–100 km/h or 0–60 mph timing) and can evaluate acceleration performance
  • Offline logging with the official adapter: The MOBD device can store data to a TF card even when the phone is not connected, then sync it later
  • Data is meant to be viewed in-app or via cloud; no native export to CSV noted

Torque Pro

Torque has robust data logging capabilities aimed at both casual users and tinkerers:

  • Can log any selected sensors at a user-defined rate
  • Leverages the phone's GPS to combine location with OBD data, so you get a GPS track with engine data overlaid
  • Logs can be viewed later in the app or exported to CSV or KML format for external analysis (e.g. Excel or Google Earth)
  • Also has a web viewer feature – upload live or saved data to Torque's web server or your own server for remote viewing
  • Performance tracking is a strong suit: built-in 0–60 mph, 0–100, quarter-mile timers, and a virtual dyno that estimates horsepower/torque in real time
  • Can graph any sensor over time, which is helpful for analyzing things like boost pressure or fuel trim during a spirited drive
  • With plugins like TorqueTrack, you can record a driving video with gauges overlaid
  • Doesn't have built-in cloud sync (data is stored locally unless you manually upload), but you have the freedom to share or transfer logs as needed

Summary: Torque gives more openness for exporting data and has well-established performance test features (dyno, speed timings), while GeekOBD provides a richer in-app analytical environment (trends, maps, driver behavior scoring) especially when using its cloud ecosystem.

Pricing and Required Hardware

App Pricing

Aspect GeekOBD Torque Pro
Base Price Free download with ads $4.95 one-time purchase
Full Features PLUS membership required All features included
PLUS Pricing ~$7 for 100 days, ~$13 for 400 days, ~$20 for lifetime N/A
Hardware Bundle Official MOBD adapter includes lifetime PLUS No official adapter
Free Version Basic features with ads Torque Lite (very limited)

Hardware (OBD Adapter)

Both apps require an external OBD-II Bluetooth or WiFi adapter. The adapter is the small device that plugs into the car's OBD2 port and communicates with the phone.

GeekOBD: - Compatible with any ELM327-based adapter - Works with the vast array of generic Bluetooth OBD adapters available online - Official "MOBD" Bluetooth adapters are optimized for the app (ensuring stable connections, proper protocol support, and added features like SD card logging) - Using the official adapter is optional but comes with perks (activates PLUS features permanently without a separate purchase) - Supports both standard Bluetooth and BLE connections

Torque Pro: - Works with most ELM327-compatible adapters - Explicitly mentions support for popular models like the Scantool OBDLink series, PLX Kiwi, OBDKey, and many no-name adapters - Since Torque has been around for a long time, virtually every OBD adapter on the market lists Torque compatibility - The developer cautions that some very cheap clone adapters might be unreliable or slow

Adapter Cost: Typically anywhere from $10 (for basic generic ones) to $30-$50 (for premium ones like OBDLink with faster response and guaranteed protocol support).

Reliability, Accuracy, and User Reviews

GeekOBD

  • Stability: Improving but mixed. Some users encountered connection issues or app crashes in earlier versions (especially on iOS). Latest versions (as of 2025) have addressed many bugs. Using the recommended hardware tends to yield a more stable experience.
  • Accuracy: Reads standard OBD-II data accurately (same readings as other apps). Advanced tests (battery, etc.) use OBD data and are generally reliable.
  • Reviews: Smaller user base so far. Google Play shows 1K+ downloads. Some forum feedback is negative about certain functions (e.g. incomplete code reading for specific models). On app stores, user ratings have been low historically (1–2☆ on iOS, but based on older versions). However, many budget-conscious users appreciate its free capabilities and cross-platform support. Often recommended by sellers of OBD adapters as a free solution for basic scanning.
  • Support: Developer (MentalRoad) is actively updating the app and responding to user issues. Official website offers FAQs and a support center. The community is smaller, but growing.

Torque Pro

  • Stability: Very reliable over long term. Rarely crashes; known to run for hours displaying live data without trouble. Issues are typically due to flakey adapters rather than the app itself. Proven to work on countless Android devices.
  • Accuracy: Trusted for reading engine sensors and codes correctly. Data is direct from ECU via OBD. Performance features, while estimates, are reasonably accurate if setup properly (user input like weight is correct). Overall on par with other quality OBD scan tools.
  • Reviews: Large user base, generally positive. ~4.0★ average on Google Play from ~80k reviews. Users praise its usefulness and value ("awesome app paired with a cheap adapter…using it for years"). Some criticism exists that it hasn't added certain advanced features or that the UI is a bit dated, but functionality is rarely faulted. It's often touted in car forums as a "must-have" for Android users.
  • Support: Active forum community and extensive online resources. The developer is an individual but has maintained the app with updates (last update Feb 2025). Plenty of third-party guides, wiki pages, and plugin documentation exist due to its popularity.

Summary Comparison Table

Aspect GeekOBD Torque Pro
Features & Functionality Live data with voice alerts; Read & clear DTCs with descriptions; Custom dashboards (8 free, unlimited Plus) and HUD; Special diagnostic tools (inspection test, battery health, throttle performance); Driving analytics with maps & trends; Extras like community resource sharing, cloud backups, engine sound simulator, dashcam Live OBD2 data with fully customizable gauge dashboards and themes; Read & clear DTCs with huge fault code database; Performance measurements (0–60, dyno); Plugin ecosystem (Track Recorder, etc.); Configurable alerts with voice/sound; Data export to CSV/KML
Vehicle Support All OBD-II compliant vehicles (petrol 1996+, diesel 2004+); Works with any ELM327 adapter; All standard OBD-II protocols All OBD-II compliant vehicles; Uses ELM327-based adapters; Full suite of OBD2 protocols
Platform Android and iOS Android only
User Interface Modern, polished UI; Voice alerts; Pre-built dashboards; Easy setup Highly customizable; DIY approach; Requires initial configuration; Flexible but dated appearance
Data Logging Automatic trip logging (7 days free, unlimited Plus); Cloud sync; Driving behavior analysis; 0–60 timing; Offline logging with official adapter Flexible logging; Export to CSV/KML; GPS integration; Built-in dyno and performance timers; Plugin support for video recording
Pricing Free with ads; PLUS ~$20 lifetime; Official adapter includes PLUS $4.95 one-time; All features included
Reliability Improving; Mixed early reviews; Active development Very stable; Large user base; 4.0★ average rating
Community Smaller but growing Large, extensive resources and forums

Conclusion

Choose GeekOBD if: - You use an iPhone or need cross-platform compatibility - You want voice alerts for safer, eyes-free driving - You prefer automatic trip analytics with maps and behavior scoring - Cloud backup and multi-device sync are important to you - You're looking for a free option with essential features included

Choose Torque Pro if: - You use Android exclusively - You want maximum dashboard customization control - You prefer a one-time purchase with no subscriptions - You need extensive data export options (CSV, KML) - You value the large community and plugin ecosystem - You want proven reliability with years of track record

Both apps are excellent choices within their target audiences. Your decision will likely come down to platform (iOS requires GeekOBD) and whether you prioritize ease of use with modern features (GeekOBD) or deep customization with one-time pricing (Torque Pro).