OBD Software – Elm Electronics

Fortunately, a very large number of developers have created software for use with our OBD integrated circuits. We list just a sampling of what is available here, to get you started. They are grouped based on the operating system:

Windows Software

The following are just a few of the programs that are available for the Windows platform:

AutoScan OBD2
Autosafe Diagnostics offers the AutoScan OBD2 software for the PC. You can download a free trial before you buy.

Com Port Terminal
This is a bare bones (but free) terminal program from WGSoft. Works well for communicating with the ELM327.

EngineCheck
Gendan’s EngineCheck for ELM-based tools.

FORScan
As the web site says, FORScan is a software scanner for Ford, Mazda, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, designed to work over ELM327 and compatible OBD2 to RS232 interpreters.

freediag
A SourceForge project that provides a command line interface for controlling OBDII interfaces (with some support for ELM327 devices). Versions available for Windows, and Linux too.

iMechatronics.com
…keeps a list of (mostly) Windows software that you might find convenient.

LapLogger
LapLogger.com offers software and interface packages for a variety of platforms.

OBD 2007
GLM Software offers a Lite (free) version OBD 2007 program, in addition to the full one.

OBD Auto Doctor
OBD Auto Doctor is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

OBD2Spy
Offers software for Elm and mOByDic based interfaces.

openOBD
A SourceForge project that provides a GUI for controlling ELM327 devices. Versions available for Windows and Linux.

PC Scan Tool
Some assorted bits of OBD info, and a link to a freeware PC scan tool. It is no longer supported, but is still useful.

PCMSCAN
This software is full-featured and works with a large number of interfaces.

RealTerm
Is another great free terminal application, that is certainly worth a try.

Scanclic
Most of the OBD software available is in English, but if you prefer Italian, one company (Informaticlaclic) offers Windows and Android software packages that may be of interest to you.

ScanMaster-ELM
WGSoft has been offering the full-featured ScanMaster software for a number of years. They offer great support, and a very reasonable price, considering all the features.

ScanTool.net open source software
ScanTool.net started an open-source project several years ago. It is still available on the SourceForge site:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/scantool/

ScanXL Pro
In addition to the PCMSCAN software, Palmer Performance also offers ScanXL. If you purchase the vehicle-specific versions, ScanXL will provide access to a great deal more than just the standard OBD information.

SynchroScan
The eurOBDiag group in France brings us this software.

Tera Term Pro
By T. Teranishi, this is yet another free terminal program. It hasn’t been updated for some time, but should still work well on many systems. If you are interested in this program, be sure to also look at the Tera Term project at SourceForge.

Terminal 1.9b
Bray++ has offered several versions of this program since 1997. It’s a good way of directly ‘talking’ to your ELM327 circuit (and the vehicle), made even easier with the macro and scripting capability. It’s donation-ware, so don’t forget to send him something if you use it.

Termite
This is a bare bones (but free) terminal program from CompuPhase. It has a nice, simple interface, and offers a large number of features.

TouchScan
OCTech offers this complete Windows based (Vista SP2 or later) system for obtaining and displaying vehicle info. If you wish to go into more detail, they also have a reasonably priced add-on package.

WinALDL
A 160 baud ALDL reader (that’s pre OBDII) for those vehicles that use it. The software is 32 bit Windows only.