What ScanTool.net does

ScanTool.net, LLC (operating under OBD Solutions, LLC) designs, manufactures, and sells OBD-II diagnostic scan tool adapters under the OBDLink brand, with hardware sold through direct e-commerce at scantool.net and Amazon. The product line consists of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, and USB adapters (current SKUs: OBDLink MX+ at $139.95, OBDLink LX at $89.95, OBDLink CX BLE at $79.95, OBDLink EX at $69.95) that connect consumer smartphones, tablets, and PCs to vehicle onboard diagnostic systems, with claimed 4x faster data throughput than competitors. The adapters rely on a proprietary STN chipset family that implements BatterySaver sleep mode (<2mA), multi-layered 128-bit Bluetooth security with a physical pairing button, and exclusive access to Ford MS-CAN and GM SW-CAN proprietary vehicle networks not supported by generic ELM327 clones.

The business model is one-time hardware sales with free bundled proprietary software: OBDwiz (Windows) and the OBDLink Android app are included with adapter purchase; no subscription fees exist. Pricing ranges from $49.95 (discontinued entry-level SX) to $139.95 (professional MX+). Customer segments span DIY car owners, automotive enthusiasts, professional auto technicians using the tools for preliminary diagnostics, software developers building OBD applications, and owners of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda vehicles needing FORScan-compatible dealer-level diagnostics. Products ship globally with multi-jurisd certifications (FCC, CE/ETSI, E-Mark, AS/NZS, IC).

Go-to-market is product-led: free companion software, self-serve e-commerce, content marketing via blog and vehicle compatibility tooling, a community forum with 54,905 members and 58,307 posts, and Amazon marketplace presence where the OBDLink MX achieved #1 Best Seller in Code Readers & Scan Tools. Channel partnerships include integration with Torque, DashCommand, FORScan, OBD Auto Doctor, and Garmin Virb XE. The company exhibits at SEMA Show and supports firmware updates through its download center. It is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding and is estimated to operate at a small, profitable scale.

Name

ScanTool.net

Legal name

ScanTool.net, LLC

Website

https://scantool.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ScanTool.net designs and sells OBDLink-branded OBD-II diagnostic scan tool adapters (Bluetooth, BLE, USB) for DIY car owners, automotive enthusiasts, professional mechanics, and Ford/FORScan users worldwide, via direct e-commerce and Amazon with bundled free companion software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Diagnostic Hardware

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) Readiness & Drive-Cycle Verification (TLAKANAH)

Keywords

• OBD-II diagnostic tools
• Vehicle scan tools
• Automotive diagnostic adapters
• Bluetooth OBD adapters
• Car diagnostic hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of OBD-II scan tool hardware devices including Bluetooth and USB adapters. Products sold directly through e-commerce with prices ranging from $49.95 to $139.95.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ScanTool.net designs, brands, and sells OBDLink OBD-II diagnostic scan tool hardware — Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, and USB adapters that connect a vehicle's onboard diagnostics port to a smartphone, tablet, or PC. Hardware is bundled with proprietary free companion software (OBDwiz for Windows, OBDLink app for Android) for reading and clearing check engine codes, accessing manufacturer-specific trouble codes and freeze frame data, displaying and logging 90+ real-time parameters, and building custom digital dashboards.

Product overview

ScanTool.net offers OBD-II scan tool hardware products under the OBDLink brand, sold alongside companion software (OBDLink Android app, OBDwiz for Windows). Current active products include OBDLink MX+ (wireless Bluetooth scanner for iOS/Android/Windows), OBDLink CX (BLE adapter), OBDLink EX (USB scanner for FORScan), and OBDLink LX (budget Bluetooth scanner). Discontinued products include OBDLink MX Bluetooth and OBDLink SX USB. The products turn smartphones, tablets, and PCs into diagnostic scan tools, trip computers, and real-time performance monitors for OBD-II compliant vehicles. Support is provided via community forum and download center for firmware updates and documentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OBDLink: Line of OBD-II diagnostic scan tools including MX+, CX, LX Bluetooth, and EX models
• OBDwiz
• ECUsim

Products and services

• OBDLink MX+ Professional OBD2 Scanner Professional-grade Bluetooth OBD-II scanner for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows that combines a diagnostic scan tool, trip computer, and real-time performance monitor; sells for $139.95 and supersedes the OBDLink MX Bluetooth model.
• OBDLink CX BLE Adapter Bluetooth Low Energy OBD-II adapter for iOS, Android, and Windows that provides wireless vehicle diagnostics and data streaming at a $79.95 price point.
• OBDLink EX USB Scan Tool for FORScan USB OBD-II adapter designed specifically for FORScan software; supports Ford Medium-Speed CAN (MS-CAN) proprietary networks and provides up to 20x faster data throughput than toggle-switch adapters; priced at $69.95.
• OBDLink LX Bluetooth Scan Tool Pocket-size Bluetooth OBD-II adapter delivering up to 4x faster data samples per second than competitors, featuring BatterySaver sleep mode to prevent vehicle battery drain and multi-layered link security with 128-bit encryption and a physical pairing button; priced at $89.95.
• OBDLink App (Android) Free proprietary Android application exclusive to OBDLink users that turns a phone or tablet into a diagnostic scan tool, trip computer, and performance monitor; works with OBDLink MX, MX+, LX, and CX adapters.
• OBDwiz Diagnostic Software Windows diagnostic software included with OBDLink LX, MX, SX, and EX scan tools that allows users to read/erase trouble codes, access freeze frame data, display/graph/log 90+ real-time parameters, build custom dashboards, and measure fuel economy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300% more data samples per second than competing Bluetooth OBD-II adapters
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Innova Electronics: Long-established US OBD-II scanner maker with both DIY and professional product lines (e.g., Innova CarScan series). Directly competes with OBDLink in the consumer/aftermarket scan tool category through retail and Amazon channels.
• Veepeak: Vendor of OBD-II Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters for iOS/Android. Overlaps with OBDLink CX, LX, and Wi-Fi SKUs in both form factor and target customer (DIY car owners and enthusiasts).
• FIXD: Consumer OBD-II sensor sold primarily at automotive retailers (Walmart, Amazon) targeting non-technical car owners. Same DIY persona and OBD-II hardware category as OBDLink, but with a subscription-led monetization model.
• BlueDriver: Canadian-made Bluetooth OBD-II adapter paired with a mobile app focused on code reading and repair reports. Closely comparable product form factor, target customer (DIY car owners), and ecosystem-based monetization to OBDLink.
• BAFX Products: Sells Bluetooth OBD-II adapters (ELM327-based) at lower price points on Amazon. Competes head-to-head with OBDLink LX/MX+ on the same marketplace for entry-level consumer diagnostics.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Automotive Service Solutions: Diversified automotive supplier with OBD-capable diagnostic tools (e.g., OBD 1350) sold through major retail channels. Much larger incumbent in the broader automotive diagnostics ecosystem.
• Autel Intelligent Technology: Large global maker of professional automotive diagnostic tools (MaxiSys series) as well as consumer OBD devices. Overlaps ScanTool.net's category but operates at much larger scale across both DIY and shop-grade equipment.
• TOPDON: Global automotive diagnostics company offering both DIY OBD-II adapters (e.g., Topdon TopScan) and professional shop tools. Competes with OBDLink across consumer and prosumer segments.
• Launch Tech: Established player in professional automotive diagnostic equipment (X-431 series) with global distribution. Broader portfolio across heavy-duty and light-duty diagnostics but competes for fleet/professional buyer wallet share adjacent to OBDLink's customer base.

Others

• FORScan: Specialty diagnostic software for Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, and Mercury vehicles that integrates tightly with ScanTool.net's OBDLink EX. Not a direct competitor — ScanTool.net is a key hardware partner — but a complementary ecosystem participant in the Ford MS-CAN workflow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obd-solutions
• Xx.com/scantool

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ScanTool.net