Side by side
| Simply Auto | CARFAX Car Care | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free with ads; Gold ($9.99 one-time) or Platinum ($19.99/yr) subscription | Free (service partner and vehicle report subsidized) |
| Free tier | Yes — fuel, maintenance, and trip logging with banner ads | Yes — service tracking, recall alerts, safety notices |
| Platforms | iPhone, Android, Web | iPhone, Android, Web |
| Where your data lives | Simply Auto cloud servers and Google Drive sync | CARFAX servers; tied to VIN and vehicle history database |
| Account required | Yes — account required to sync across devices or multiple drivers | Yes — account and vehicle VIN required |
| Export formats | CSV export to device or Google Drive | None — records locked inside CARFAX ecosystem |
| Fuel economy method | Full-tank and partial fill-up tracking | Basic manual log; primary focus is maintenance intervals |
| Reminders | Service and expense reminders by mileage or date | Service intervals based on estimated mileage and shop reports |
| Ads and trackers | Yes on free tier; removed with Gold or Platinum purchase | Promoted repair shops and CARFAX vehicle report upsells |
| Last updated | Actively maintained | Actively maintained |
How to read this table
Two rows decide most of it. Where your data lives determines what happens to a decade of records if the app is discontinued or the company is acquired. Export formats determines whether you can act on that. Everything else is preference.
If you are weighing this up more generally, the six checks before trusting an app with your history covers the questions that apply to any app in this category, not just these two.
Sources
- Simply Auto: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simply-auto-mileage-tracker/id893278325 — checked 2026-09-29
- Simply Auto: http://simplyauto.app/policy.html — checked 2026-09-29
- CARFAX Car Care: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carfax-car-care/id552472249 — checked 2026-09-29
- CARFAX Car Care: https://www.carfax.com/Service — checked 2026-09-29
- CARFAX Car Care: https://www.carfax.com/company/privacy-statement — checked 2026-09-29
Carvico for iPhone
Never lose another repair receipt or fuel log
Keep your complete service history, real full-tank MPG, and diagnostic records organized on your iPhone. Carvico alerts you before service is overdue and gives you verified PDF records when you sell — 100% private on your own iCloud with zero ads.
Private iCloud Sync
Instant Receipt OCR
Zero Ads or Trackers
Exportable PDF Records
