Launch VS. Autel – Which is Better

When comparing Launch and Autel as brands, especially in the context of automotive diagnostic tools and equipment, several factors come into play. Both brands are highly regarded in the automotive repair and diagnostics industry, offering a range of products from basic code readers to professional-grade diagnostic scanners. The choice between Launch and Autel can depend on various aspects including product range, price, software updates, compatibility, features, and customer support. Here’s a brief overview:

Product Range

  • Launch offers a broad spectrum of diagnostic tools, including the popular X431 series. Their product lineup is extensive, catering to both entry-level users and professionals with advanced diagnostic needs.
  • Autel also has a wide array of diagnostic tools, including the MaxiCOM and MaxiDAS series. They are known for their innovation and regularly introduce new features and products to meet evolving automotive technologies.

Price

  • Pricing varies widely depending on the model and features of the tool. Both brands offer products across various price points, from affordable basic scanners to high-end professional devices. Generally, both brands offer good value, but specific models may be priced competitively against each other.

Software Updates and Compatibility

  • Software Updates: Both brands provide regular software updates to keep their tools current with the latest automotive technologies and models. However, the cost and frequency of these updates can vary, so it’s worth comparing these aspects for the specific models you’re considering.
  • Compatibility: Both brands cover a wide range of vehicle makes and models, including domestic, European, and Asian vehicles. The extent of compatibility can depend on the specific tool and the software version.

Features

  • Diagnostic tools from both brands come packed with features, including but not limited to reading and clearing codes, live data, ECU programming, and advanced diagnostics. High-end models may offer unique features or proprietary technologies, so comparing the specifics of what each tool offers is essential.

Customer Support

  • Support is crucial, especially for advanced diagnostic tools. Both Launch and Autel have reputations for providing good customer support, with resources like online forums, direct support lines, and instructional materials. The quality of support can vary by region, so it’s worth looking into experiences from users in your area.

 

Summarized as follows

 

Launch and Autel are two of the best brands on the market, As is well-know, either Launch X431 or Autel diagnostic system scanner is powerful to help car repairing.
Both brands offer very powerful, comprehensive, advanced and reliable scan tools.
Autel is well known for its high quality, extremely user friendly, and innovative diagnostic tools. Launch on the other hand, produces quick, accurate, OEM-level diagnostics.
There are some things that a Launch scan tool can do better than the Autel and some things Autel can do better than the launch.

It really comes down to the type of scanner you need. If your looking for a basic or mid range scan tool then we have produced the following comparison chart.
1. Autel MaxiSys Ultra vs Launch X431 PAD VII
2. X431 PAD7 vs. Ultra Lite vs. PAD5 vs. MK908 Pro2

 

1. Autel MaxiSys Ultra vs Launch X431 PAD VII

Item Autel MaxiSys Ultra

Launch X431 PAD VII

Screen 12.9 Inch

Touchscreen
2732 x 2048 DPI / TFT-LCD CORELLE GLASS

13.3 inch capacitive screen,1920*1080
Operating System Android 7.0 Android 9.0
Processor 2.3GHz + 1.7GHz
OCTA-CORE
2.0GHz Octa cores
Memory / RAM 256GB SSD / 4GB RAM 256GB /8GB
Battery 18,000 mAh 71140mWh
Camera 16MP Rear / 5MP Front Front 8mp, Rear 13mp
Connection Bluetooth,Wifi,USB Bluetooth,Wifi,USB
VCI MaxiFlash VCMI 4-channel oscilloscope, waveform generator, multimeter, and CAN BUS tester. Optional VCI200 Smart Link C
Docking Station Included No, but with Real IP65 rated; 180° adjustable kickstand
IP limitation Yes Global Version without IP Blocking
Language English Only English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Swedish, Japanese, Polish, Czech, Russian, Dutch, Thai, Finnish, Danish, Romanian, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Croatian
Protocols D-PDU/SAE J2534/RP1210/DoIP/CAN FD CAN/CANFD/DoIP 2534/D-PDU/RP1210
Supported car brands 99% brands 110 brands
Automatic Detection SCANVIN / AUTO-VIN /AUTO-SCAN SCANVIN / AUTO-VIN /AUTO-SCAN
Repair Assist GUIDED PROCEDURES WITH DTC ANALYSIS & FAULT CODE SOLUTIONS GUIDED PROCEDURES WITH DTC ANALYSIS & FAULT CODE SOLUTIONS
Topology Module Mapping COLOR CODED ALL SYSTEM STATUS SCREEN
ON SUPPORTED VEHICLES
COLOR CODED ALL SYSTEM STATUS SCREEN
ON SUPPORTED VEHICLES
Secure Gateway Access AUTHORIZED FCA ACCESS
WITH AUTOAUTH ACCOUNTAUTHORIZED Renault Gateway ACCESS WITH AUTOAUTH ACCOUNT
AUTHORIZED FCA ACCESS
WITH AUTOAUTH ACCOUNT
Vehicle Diagnostics PASSENGER / LIGHT DUTY
SOME MEDIUM DUTY
PASSENGER / LIGHT DUTY
SOME MEDIUM DUTY/Optional Heavy duty
Basic & Special Functions American, ASIAN & EUROPEAN
1996 AND NEWER
American, ASIAN & EUROPEAN
1996 AND NEWER
VAG Guided Function Yes Yes
Service Resets 36+ SERVICE FEATURES 50+ special functions
Component Activations BI-DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BI-DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
Enhanced Functions ADVANCED CODING + ADAPTATIONS ADVANCED CODING + ADAPTATIONS
Online Coding Audi, Porsche, Renault, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar online coding BMW, VW, Audi, Benz online coding, Ford Mazda offline coding
Online programming BMW Benz GM, Ford, Chrysler, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar and J2534 programming BMW, VW, Audi, Benz, Nissan Renault etc and J2534 programming
TPMS Programming No, need standalone TPMS series scanners Yes, with TSGUN add-on
Heavy duty diagnostic No, need MS908CV or MS909CV stand alone device Yes, if purchase truck software kit
VideoScope MV480 With optional VSP-600
Oscilloscope In VCMI : 4-channel oscilloscope

 

Optional O2-1 ScopeBox
SensorBox In VCMI S2-2 SensorBox
IMMO Programmer No With optional X-prog3
Battery Tester With optional BT506 battery tester With battery tester bst360
Wi-Fi Printer Yes Yes
Optional ADAS Calibration Yes Yes
Repair database Yes, has repair assit and tips, relative case, TSB (OEM info) Thru “X-431 FIX” function, need purchase license
Remote Expert Remote Expert Remote Diagnose
Australian Ford and Holden No, need to purchase license from local region Yes
Software Updates 1 Year FREE,$999 per year later 2 Years FREE, $569/year later

2. X431 PAD7 vs. Ultra Lite vs. PAD5 vs. MK908 Pro2

Item Launch X431 PAD VII Launch X431 Pro5 Autel Ultra Lite Autel MK908 PRO II
Image      
Price €2,437 €1,332 €2,713 €1,713
CPU 2.0GHz Octa-core 1.8GHz  8-Core Exynos8895 Qualcomm 660
RAM 8G 4G 4G 4G
ROM 256G 64G (128G expandable) 256G 128G
Battery capacity 19000mAh 7000 mAh / 3.8V 18000mAh 15000mAh
System Android 9.0 Android 9.0 Android 7.0 Android 10.0
Screen size 13.3′  10.1′ 12.9″ 10.1′
Screen resolution 1920*1080 1920*1200 2732*2048 1920*1200
Wi-Fi 2.4 & 5GHz 2.4 & 5GHz 2.4 & 5GHz 2.4 & 5GHz
Camera Rear 13MP, front 8MP Rear 8MP, front 5MP Rear 16MP, front 5MP Rear 16MP
VCI Smartlink C Smartbox3.0 MaxiFlash VCI Maxiflash Elite
Read & clear codes
Live data
Special function √(50+) √ (50+) √(40+) √ (36+)
Action test
Online programming √ (BMW, Benz, VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche, Landrover, Jaguar,  Nissan, Subaru, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia)       *Nonsupport US, CA, Spain √ (BMW & Mercedes Till Year 2020)                     *Can not perform in Portugual, Canada and Spain √ (BMW, Benz) √ (BMW, Benz)
Online coding √ (Mercedes (SCN), BMW, VAG, Porsche, Renault) √ (Mercedes (SCN), BMW, VAG, Porsche) √ (BMW, Benz, Audi, Porsche, VW) √ (BMW, Benz, Audi, Porsche, VW)
Hidden feature √ (Benz, BMW, VAG, Porsche, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda) √ (Benz, BMW, VAG, Porsche, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda) √ (BMW, VW, Audi, Skoda) √ (BMW, VW, Audi, Skoda)
Guidance √ (VW, Audi) √ (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat) √ (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Man LD, Bently) √ (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Man LD, Bently)
McLaren, Tesla diagnosis √ (optional purchase)  √ (Purchase in the Mall)
Auto VIN
Remote desk
TPMS √ (need X431 TSGUN) √ (need X431 TSGUN) × ×
Oscilloscope √ (need scope box) × √ (in development) √ (in development)
Endoscope √ (need Launch VSP-600) √ (need VSP-600) √ (MV105/ MV108) √ (MV105/ MV108)
Multimeter √ (need sensor box) × × ×
Battery test √ (need X431 BST-360) √ (need BST-360) √ (Autel BT506) √ (BT506)
Remote expert ×
Advanced key programming √ (need X431 X-PROG 3) √ (need X-PROG 3) √ (basic key programming) √ (basic key programming)
Intelligent diagnostics ×
Topology mapping ×
D-PDU/RP1210
DoIP/CAN FD ×
Language Muti-language (23):        English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Swedish, Japanese, Polish, Czech, Russian, Dutch, Thai, Finnish, Danish, Romanian, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Croatian Muti-language (23): English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, German, Japanese, Russian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Turkish, Dutch, Greek, Hungarian, Arabic, Danish, Korean, Persian, Serbian, Finnish, Swedish, Czech, Italian Muti-language (20):              English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Persian, Turkish, Thai, Vietnamese, Hebrew, Arabic, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Traditional Chinese Muti-language (13):                          English, German, Spanish, French, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Korean, Dutch, and Swedish.
Commercial vehicle & heavy truck √(It is not standard and needs to be paid separately) √ (commercial vehicle) √ (commercial vehicle)
WiFi print
Update 2 free years (in promotion) 2 free years (in promotion) 2 free years (in promotion) 1 year free

Summary
1. Both X431 PAD VII & Autel Ultra Lite support the most comprehensive functions for diagnosis.
2 X431 PAD VII is excellent in online programming but restricting to regions.
3. Launch X431 supports more extended features like multimeter, TPMS & heavy truck diagnosis, but needing extra costs.
4. Autel Ultra Lite & MK908Pro II supports to diagnose McLaren, Tesla while Launch X431 need to purchase.
5. Autel MK908Pro II is the latest device to equip with newest CPU & system.