Xhorse Universal Keys vs. Autel Key Review

For locksmiths getting into universal keys, Xhorse VVDI Remotes is the more flexible and budget-friendly option, with more key formats and a much lower entry cost. Autel is a better fit for those who mainly need universal smart keys and prefer a simpler selection process.

Autel vs. Xhorse Universal Keys: Quick Comparison

Feature	Xhorse	Autel
Universal key types	Smart, flip, wired remote, wireless, remote head	Smart keys only
Key price	About $12–$45	About $18–$45
Entry-level tool	VVDI Mini Key Tool/ Key Tool Max Pro+ phone app	KM100
Tool price	About $99–$419	About $419
Key selection	More options; frequency and market may need checking	Region and year filters
Generation	Depends on key type	Same procedure for universal smart keys
Best suited for	Lower cost and broader key coverage	Simpler smart-key selection and added tool capabilities

The 3 Differences That Matter

1. Key Coverage: Xhorse Offers More Formats

Xhorse covers smart keys, flip keys, wired remotes, wireless keys and remote head keys.

Autel focuses on universal smart keys.

So if you need different key formats rather than smart keys alone, Xhorse gives you more options.

2. Entry Cost: Xhorse Is Significantly Lower

Xhorse universal keys cost about $12–$45, and the Mini Key Tool is about $99.

Autel universal keys are about $18–$45, while the KM100 is about $419.

If the goal is simply to enter the universal-key market, Xhorse requires much less upfront investment.

 

3. Selection: Autel Is Simpler, Xhorse Is More Flexible

Xhorse gives you more key choices, but that also means more matching is involved. Vehicle searches can show different key types, frequencies or market applications, so the correct option needs to be identified.

Autel keeps the process more straightforward. You can narrow the selection by region and year, and its universal keys use the same generation procedure.

 

The trade-off is simple: Xhorse gives you more choices; Autel makes those choices easier to narrow down.

 

Which One Fits Your Shop?

Choose Xhorse if you prioritize:

• Lower entry cost
• More universal key formats
• Flexibility across different key types
• Starting with the roughly $99VVDI Mini Key Tool

 

Choose Autel if you prioritize:

• Universal smart keys
• A simpler selection process using region and year
• A standardized smart-key generation procedure
• The additional diagnostic and programming capabilities of the KM100

 

Bottom Line

Xhorse is the stronger choice for most shops looking for a low-cost, flexible universal-key setup. Its wider range of key formats and lower tool cost make it easier to start and expand.

 

Autel makes more sense when simplicity and the additional capabilities of the KM100 matter more than having a wider range of universal key formats.

 

www.vvdishop.com

Xhorse VVDI Prog Replace Freelander 2 BCM BG9T-14D572-LA

Replaced Land rover Freelander 2 BCM using Xhorse VVDI Prog programmer successfully.

Part number: BG9T-14D572-LA

Read and flash CPU and 95320 eeprom data.  Then install BCM module back to car without programming.

VVDI Prog Menu:

Type 2
Renesas M32C
M30882FJ

 

 

Xhorse Multi Prog Clone BMW EKPM3 Fuel Pump Module

Xhorse Multi Prog BMW fuel pump module cloning review:

BMW F10 fuel pump module EKPM3 cloning – no problem. Recieved used one for replace with broken CAFD. Fastest way to restore cloning MC9S12XEG128 mask 2M53J.

When the unit didn’t work on the car due to incorrect coding, I connected the esys and was about to code it, but the CAFD was completely missing, and I didn’t have the required i-level (2016) PZDS on hand. I would have had to download it and then restore the cheap unit. Then I remembered that I’d seen some fuel modules in MultiProg that it works with. I quickly opened the MultiProg software (special thanks to the developers for not requiring a connected programmer for this) and found one, but it wasn’t exactly the same. I quickly found the necessary pins and made a clone. So, this could have been done with other programmers I have (VVDI Prog, Orange, etc.). But it was the MultiProg software that gave me the idea; it’s always accessible for viewing and has good module cataloging.

 

 

Xhorse VVDI Prog Delphi MT62.1G ECU Pinout

Here comes the Xhorse VVDI Prog pinout to Delphi MT62.1G ECU.

Yellow-RESET
Orange -JCOMP
Brown -TCK
Purple -TDI
Black -GND
Green -TDO
Blue -TMS

Need to connect a 100 ohm resistor between JCOMP and VCC.

In VVDI Prog software, select
2-Microcontroller
Motorola MPC563 series
MPC5634M

 

Xhorse Multi Prog Audi BCM2 V2 Adapter VCC Not Detected Solution

Problem: 

A customer was working on a 2014 Audi A7 with a 0572 BCM using Xhorse Multi Prog and an Audi BCM2 adapter V2, and I’ve tried everything but can’t connect the VCC pin. Has anyone had this issue before?

Solution:

On the board , always you will find a thin layer of crystal paint, with a medical knife, remove that paint , and you will be able to make good contact with the EEPROM pins.

Xhorse BCM2 Solder Free Adapter V2 Review

I’ve used the Xhorse BCM2 Encrypted Solder-Free Adapter on several BCM2 jobs. It’s a practical bench setup for encrypted BCM2 read/write work on Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini, and it works with both Multi-PROG and VVDI Key Tool Plus.

 

Who Should Buy It?

Good fit for:

• Technicians regularly working on VAG BCM2 modules.
• Locksmiths who need BCM2 bench read/write capability.
• Workshops that prefer solder-free connections.

 

Not the best fit for:

• Shops that only see BCM2 occasionally.
• Beginners with no BCM2 bench experience.
• Technicians who don’t need BCM2 read/write work.

Real Workshop Notes

The Connection

The connection is pretty simple once you have the right BCM2 version. The adapter locks onto the required points and stays in place well.

The kit has two adapter boards and two cables for different BCM2 versions. I like the setup because there’s no soldering involved.

Reading

I usually do a Read ID first. If the CPU is recognized correctly, I move on to D Flash and P Flash.

D Flash is relatively quick. P Flash takes longer, but the actual reading process was stable in my testing.

 

One Thing to Expect

The BCM2 needs to be unlocked again for each operation. It doesn’t stay unlocked after the first decryption.

That adds some time, especially if you’re doing several operations. I wouldn’t permanently unlock it just for convenience because that means erasing the data.

 

Overall

Once the correct adapter and protocol are selected, the workflow is straightforward. Writing follows basically the same approach as reading.

What I Liked

1. Stable fit: The adapter stays firmly on the BCM2 connection points.
2. Solder-free: No direct soldering to the board.
3. Two setups: Covers different BCM2 versions.
4. Read ID: Useful for checking the connection before a full read.
5. MultiPROG&Key Tool Plus: Good flexibility if you already use either platform.

 

What Could Be Better

1. Repeated unlocking: Adds extra time between operations.
2. P Flash speed: Larger data takes noticeably longer to read.
3. Correct identification is important: The BCM2 version, CPU, and protocol all need to match.
4. Some bench experience helps: It’s not completely plug-and-play for someone new to BCM2 work.

 

Would I Buy It Again?

Yes. After using it on multiple BCM2 jobs, I’m comfortable keeping it in the bench setup. The BCM2Solder-Free Adapteris stable, solder-free, and easy to work with once the correct configuration is identified. The repeated unlock step is the main thing to account for, but it hasn’t been enough to put me off using it.

 

www.vvdishop.com