Here’s an unbiased review of popular key programming tools from a seasoned UK locksmith with 10 years of experience.
Lonsdor K518 Pro–
It’s a good all rounder and excellent value for money. Particularly strong in Toyota, Volvo, Fiat and Chrysler and will handle Ford, PSA, VAG and Renault up until 2015 and has many other brands it will cover. Using the emulators, you can do many Toyota all keys lost via OBD.
Core Functions:
- Specializes in key programming: Supports smart keys, mechanical keys, and all-keys-lost (AKL) scenarios.
- Strong focus on immobilizer (IMMO) programming for Asian (Toyota, Lexus, Honda), European (VW, BMW, Renault), and American (Ford, GM) vehicles.
- Offline operation for many functions, reducing dependency on internet or server access.
- K518 Pro adds advanced features: EEPROM mileage reset, IMMO off, file management, CAN FD/DoIP protocol support for newer vehicles (e.g., 2024 Toyota).
Unique Features:
- Toyota/Lexus AKL via SKE-LT emulator (built-in on Pro, separate purchase on older models).
- Many IMMO and AKL functions don’t require server access, unlike some Autel or OBDSTAR tools.
Coverage:
- Excellent coverage for Asian (Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Nissan), European (VW, BMW, Renault), and American (Ford, GM) vehicles.
- Specializes in all-keys-lost (AKL) scenarios, especially Toyota/Lexus with SKE-LT emulator (sold separately for older models, built-in on Pro).
Best For
- Locksmiths needing a fast, offline-capable tool for key programming and AKL, especially on Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, Volvo.
- Professionals who prioritize IMMO over diagnostics or special functions.
OBDstar X300 DP Plus /X300 Classic G3–
Probably the best bang for buck programmer on the market today. A great all-round tool which is known to be strong on Renault, Ford, PSA and Mazda. For a tool of this price to be able to do 2020 Ford Focus and Transit, 2017 Renault lost keys and read a pin from practically any PSA you plug in is unbelievable. Updates are frequent and very much focused on the EU market.
Core Features:
- The G3 comes with the motorcycles cables so you get all these cables for Ducati,Yamaha, Harley, BMW, Honda motors etc. You’ll be able to program all these vehicles with the OBDstar.
- The G3 has built-in FCA Chrysler Fiat, Renault and CAN FD gateway connectors, you don’t need to buy separate gateway adapters.
- G3 allows you to connect to Dodge Jeep Chrysler works excellent directly into the gateway like that bypass the gateway. It’s excellent feature.
- OBDSTAR G3 is a flagship device you can add on all the other features. You can add odometer correction, airbag reset, test platform and ECU cloning license to the G3.
- OBDSTAR they’re adding every month you’re going to be seeing changes more units more Vehicles being added.
Coverage:
- Strong on Asian (Hyundai, Kia, Toyota) and European (Renault, Peugeot, Fiat) cars, with good AKL support.
- Covers a wide range of vehicles but may lag on luxury brands (e.g., Mercedes-Benz, BMW) compared to Autel or Lonsdor.
- Updates frequently expand coverage, especially for Japanese and Korean models.
Xtool X100 PAD2 & PAD Elite (PAD3) –
The model range is very confusing as there are many different versions of the same device. The updates are coming thick and fast, 2 years’ worth included from purchase. Really strong on Asian brands, in particular Hyundai, Kia, Honda and Toyota. The recent Ford and Renault updates have been impressive and I expect many more updates over the next few months. The Pad Elite (PAD3) is compatible with the KC501 and can program Mercedes keys very fast, so for the money it’s a good tool. Not quite as refined as some other devices but once you find your way around it’s a solid machine.
Core Functions:
- Key programming: Supports IMMO and smart keys for Asian (Toyota, Honda, Kia) and some European (Renault, PSA) vehicles.
- Basic diagnostics: Code reading/clearing, live data for common systems (engine, ABS).
- Special functions: Oil reset, EPB, DPF regeneration, throttle reset, SAS calibration.
Unique Features:
- Affordable entry-level IMMO tool with decent special function coverage.
- User-friendly tablet interface for small shops or DIY users.
Limitations:
- Limited AKL support compared to Lonsdor or Autel.
- Weak on luxury brands and newer protocols (e.g., no CAN FD/DoIP in most models).
- Diagnostics lack depth (no bi-directional control or full-system scans).
Coverage:
- Decent coverage for Asian (Toyota, Honda, Kia) and some European (Renault, PSA) cars.
- Weaker on luxury brands and AKL scenarios compared to competitors.
- Best for older vehicles and basic key programming tasks.
Autel IM608 Pro (IM608) –
It’s excellent as it has such a broad coverage and the user interface is great. It has without doubt some of the most powerful diagnostic capabilities available from an all round “scanner” (whether you would use even 20% as a locksmith is debatable). However, if you don’t need high end diagnostic functions, I think it’s a lot of money for a key programmer. As with most devices, there is a heavy reliance on server calculations and this is where Autel suffers. There are so many occasions where the servers are so overloaded that programming cannot be carried out, or takes extremely long.
Core Functions:
- Advanced key programming: IMMO, smart keys, AKL, chip reading/writing via XP400 Pro (e.g., Benz AKL, VW MQB).
- Strong on Asian (Toyota, Hyundai, Kia), European (Renault, Fiat, PSA), and American (Ford, Chrysler) vehicles. Includes motorcycles (e.g., Honda, Yamaha) and marine crafts. Read MB password slower than CGDI/XHORSE.
- Full-system diagnostics: Reads/clears codes, live data, bi-directional control across all modules.
Unique Features:
- XP400 Pro supports advanced chip tasks (e.g., MCU reading, ECU cloning).
- IM608 has good coverage with out being excellent. IM608 not only program the keys, but is an excellent scanner and can program a other units like ELV, dashboard, EZS, Skin, ECU.
- Autel IM608 is not just a immo programming tool, it is also a full-fledged scanner.
- Autel IM608 will also generate Autel universal ikey remotes. OBDSTAR does not generate remotes.
Coverage:
- Broadest coverage across American (Ford, GM, Chrysler), European (Mercedes, BMW, VW), and Asian (Toyota, Honda) vehicles.
- Excels with luxury brands and newer models (e.g., MQB VW, Benz AKL with G-Box accessory).
- Supports CAN FD and some DoIP vehicles with updates.
Zed-FULL –
Every practising auto locksmith in the country should have heard of the Zed-FULL. For some people it is still the first tool they would plug in, for others it is a last resort. Without doubt it is a powerful device with a huge coverage, very easy to use and a plethora of functions. It is a token-based device and can work out very expensive, in today’s market I think token machines are only worth having if they do something other machines do not. A few years ago, that may have been the case with the Zed-FULL, but certainly not now. The other downside is that on some vehicles you must use an IEA key/remote so your hands are tied.
Smart Pro –
As most users found out the hard way, this device was released prematurely and left a lot of upset customers who had traded in a working device for a device still under development. I think that has changed now, it is much more reliable and has one of the best user interfaces of any of the devices mentioned. It is very good on Ford and can do AKL on Renault Trafic 2015- without bricking the BCM. It has a broad coverage and is easy to use, however it is token based so an expensive tool to use constantly. A good tool for a beginner, but still quite expensive for what it is actually capable of.
SMART PRO has wide vehicle coverage and it is realy user firendly tool, but it miss eeprom jobs, additional software and cables are quite expensive. I use it on token base so I pay as I go (1 token is apprx 20 €). I decided to buy AUTEL when I wanted to start of Mercedes key programming, additional cable for SMARTPRO cost around 1800 €.
AUTEL with GBOX and XP 400 Pro can make even AKL situation. Mostly vehicles we usually make are VW group, Mercedes, BMW, PSA and OPEL. On VW MQB platform SMARTPRO needs working key so no option to make AKL situation even if you take out cluster, on BMW SMARTPRO supports only CAS3 system which is small coverage, by PSA and OPEL both have similar coverage.
BossComm KMAX-850 –
This is a new device in the UK that many haven’t seen. Some of you may remember a diagnostic tool many years ago by BossComm, it was a good device in its day and this is from the same developer. For the surprisingly low cost of this tool it is very reliable and has great coverage. I used it on a Ford Focus 2019 spare key as a test and was surprised how well it worked. It is based on the Linux platform and has less reliance on the internet so it’s a good tool as a backup and comes with a pre-coding device. It’ll do VAG, Ford, Fiat, Honda and many more brands quite easily.
Final Verdict
- Best Overall: Autel IM608 II—unmatched versatility, coverage, and hardware for pros willing to pay.
- Best for Key Programming: Lonsdor K518 Pro—top-tier AKL and offline performance.
- Best Value: OBDSTAR X300 Classic G3—broad functionality at a mid-tier price.
- Best Budget: Xtool X100 PAD3—cost-effective for basic needs.
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