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 |
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.