I have the OBDeleven hardware, and am running version 0.14.3 of the OBDeleven software.
Being an I.T. person, I quite like the OBDeleven product, and the interface can be self-taught if you are a code-savvy.
And yes, long coding is always zero cost with OBDeleven. Just remember to toggle the bytes in reverse bottom-up order in OBDeleven to match any VCDS left-to-right codes you are translating from the Web.
If you are not friends with binary programming, there are many single-click alternatives that automate binary coding in the software. These 'apps' are a couple dollars each, or outright free if you watch advertisements every couple of days. In the screenshot below, you'll see that I have accumulated 51 free credits just by watching advertisements on the phone while I'm on the treadmill at the gym.
I suggest beyond the price difference, there are three standout benefits that OBDeleven has over VAG COM:
- OBDeleven is convenient small form factor: an Android or iOS phone or tablet is much more cabin-friendly than a Windows laptop.
- Car shopping support: if you are shopping for a used Vdub, Audi, Bentley, Lambo, Bentley: this is an excellent diagnostic tool you can bring on your test drive. No clunky laptop needed, just your smartphone in your pocket and the bluetooth dongle under the dash.
- You can do live data monitoring as graphs/gauges: you can use OBDeleven to watch your DPF buildup, EGR temperature, boost pressure, urea level, and so on, all pushed to your mobile device mounted to your dashboard.
Here are some screenshots of the software on both my Android tablet and smartphone:
Ultimately, I suggest that VCDS and OBDeleven are an apples-to-oranges comparison.
OBDeleven Pro is more affordable, more portable, and in
some ways is more beginner-friendly. Alternatively, VCDS will give you access to more coding tweaks and access to a live support person if you need mentoring.