Apps For Tesla Owners - Tezlab vs. TeslaFi

Apps For Tesla Owners - Tezlab vs. TeslaFi. For the past month I've been testing out Tezlab and TeslaFi to track my tesla driving efficiency, battery health, and the effects of weather of my car's performance. These two apps having taken two very different approaches to solve the same problem. How'd they perform?
UPDATE: Tezlab has clarified some details that I thought were important to share. Be sure to check out the update: • Tezlab Review Update
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[@eschdaddy]

I’ve watched Matt for years, but honestly, I think this video, (which I’m just now seeing), best represents why I like his channel so much. Great, concise information with development ideas for the manufacturer, and the between the lines info we consumers may not think about prior to purchasing.

[@dell1rich]

Great content Matt! A well done critique of both products

[@VJD-15]

Bloody well done, mate! Mucho thanks from Canada!

[@DanRibar]

I really like your style. Great job illuminating the differences in the two apps/approaches.

[@timwong2436]

Very informative as usual and easy to understand. Thanks!

[@HangryDwarfPress]

I'm going to leave my review of this video in the form of a seven-bar bar chart.

[@stephen2220]

Excellent and comprehensive video, very informative!

[@jimchristopher1709]

Great presentation! Keep them coming!!!

[@quartet111]

Looking forward to this

[@martce]

19 min well spent. Thank you for the thorough review and ending in a solid recommendation vs a happy medium for all. It shows integrity and commitment to the purpose of your channel. Have not decided yet about sharing log info and concerned about phantom drain. Wish for a bit more in-depth phantom drain prevention settings, unless it is as easy as you mentioned by setting the 30min and testing it out.

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks! I do think it’s pretty easy to configure Teslafi to reduce the risk of phantom drain with the basic settings I mentioned as a starting point. Each day will show you idle time and sleep time with mileage lost in each box. I just referenced that number to make sure my miles lost wasn’t more than my usual miles lost before using Teslafi. If you’re adventurous you could try to get the Tesla API token yourself to use on Teslafi to avoid using your login password.

[@martce]

Used our code - Had significant efficiency drop due to 34F weather driving 100 miles (Highway) and decided to understand it better.

[@UndecidedMF]

I’ve been noticing the same thing (it’s been in the teens here). The car’s estimate is way off because it doesn’t appear to take the colder weather into the calculation. I’m still getting decent range, but not close the estimate. Let me now how it goes.

[@quartet111]

Met and exceeded my expectations! Thanks again Matt!

[@UndecidedMF]

You’re welcome and thanks for watching!

[@MohamadElKara]

Great and timely video, thank you. Like button smashed.

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks!

[@calpilot7]

Obviously very intelligent guy. Appreciate the extremely valuable analysis and believe you are right on.

[@UndecidedMF]

Appreciate the compliment, and thanks for watching!

[@Garygrayhair]

Can't wait!

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Thanks for all the feedback, def taking it to heart so stay tuned for updates soon. And keep making videos, very well done! Also, I wanted to clarify one thing, we're not selling or monetizing any data. We have a freemium model in which some features (in development) will be paid while the majority of the app is always free. We're big believers in protecting people's privacy and have not, nor will not "sell" users data.

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks, Ben! Appreciate the feedback and clarity on that last point. I did get on a little bit of a soap box on the freemium model, but hope it didn’t come across as an attack on Tezlab specifically. I probably should have cut that from the video. It was more of a call for consumers to go into freemium apps with their eyes open, and to understand how their data may get used. Tezlab should consider adding the info you shared to the Websites FAQ. Looking forward to seeing how Tezlab evolves ... it’s got so much potential. By the way, big fan of your channel.

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Thanks, yeah I'm talking w/ the team now to update that - want to make it clear

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks again, Ben. I just posted a Tezlab review update and linked it to this video.

[@JonLBreen]

@@BenSullinsOfficial Ben, I appreciate the sentiment, but it doesn't appear your lawyers agree. The Tezlab terms give a lot of non-revokable rights to user data to the makers of Tezlab. Of course, it specifies that the data has to be posted or published, but knowing that data is shared in the background (published) without user knowledge, that could easily mean all data. How do I know what's shared? How can I be confident that only data I'm comfortable with sharing is what's going out? It's been 2 years since you talked with the team to make it clear. What's the update? Due to these terms, I'm not giving the app access to my data, so I can't open it and see if there's better data control than when this video was posted. I think any user wanting data control wouldn't without something more specific in the terms that gives users the assurance that each type of data sharing will require clear, up front consent. From the Tezlab terms (11/7/2020): "By posting or publishing User Content, you grant HFC a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free, fully paid right and license (with the right to sublicense) to host, store, transfer, display, perform, reproduce, create derivative works of, modify for the purpose of formatting for display, and distribute your User Content, in whole or in part, in any and all media or distribution methods... HFC may use that User Content for other purposes"

[@k1uhf]

Thanks for the review Matt! Maybe I will figure out where my phantom drain is. I am switching from Tezlab to TeslaFi

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks for watching!

[@justdoit423]

Great comparison and Thanks Matt. Been using TeslaFi on trial and there are tons of information available, but unfortunately no App or UI is horrible. I really wish and hope TeslaFi developers get an Easy to view and understand the data without clutter, or even better hire great UI app designer (like you) to present the data in meaningful way.

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks for watching! I agree, the TeslaFi UI is really dated and needs to be mobile friendly. They’ve got all the right features and data, but need a more modern UI.

[@UndecidedMF]

UPDATE: Based on Ben Sullins comment on behalf of Tezlab, "I wanted to clarify one thing, we're not selling or monetizing any data. We have a freemium model in which some features (in development) will be paid while the majority of the app is always free. We're big believers in protecting people's privacy and have not, nor will not "sell" users data." I've posted a video update on my Tezlab portion of the review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oanUmoZvYt1noJI

[@mil3761]

Love this video but noticed is 3 years old. Have things moved on with either software? Would love to see a updated video with the current situation ☺️

[@benbrown6084]

Nice job, Matt. After watching your video, there's no question that $5/month for TeslaFi is well worth the price, even when compared to a free app like Tezlab.

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks! I’m still very curious to see where Tezlab lands in the coming months. Software is always evolving, so I’m still keeping my eye on them ... and for some folks Tezlab may be a better fit.

[@TomTWalker]

Now that 2 years have passed (as of Oct 2020), has TezLab improved? Perhaps a video update is inorder? thanks.

[@nelsonmacy1010]

Can you do a current review esp as Tezlab seems to have been updated.

[@zoron9102]

Hey Matt love your videos!! I’ve heard you mention that you’re a UI UX designer in a couple of your videos and I was wondering how do you go about getting a job in that field? Over the years I’ve noticed I seem to have a knack for it, but don’t know where to go from here. If you have any advice I would be very grateful! Thanks!! :)

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks! To get into UI/UX work, it helps to have a degree of some kind in the field or something related, like an art or design degree from a 2 year or 4 year college. I have a degree in communication and information design, which helped me get my first UI job many, many years ago. HOWEVER, as someone who has hired a lot of artists and designers over the years, I can say that isn't the most important thing I would look at. You need a good solid portfolio of work that can show how you think, and the final design ended up looking. You could have the fanciest degree from the best school, but if you don't have a portfolio, or a lackluster portfolio, you'll never get considered for a job. Here's a good writeup: medium.muz.li/how-to-get-a-job-as-a-ux-ui-designer-d60fab5b5965 If you're just building up your portfolio, start small. Reach out to friends, family, and your network to see if anyone needs any UI/UX design help. Consider doing a job or two for free if it's a good opportunity. Those first few jobs will add to your portfolio, which will increase your credibility. Start reading books like "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug. Stay on top of current trends with sites like smashingmagazine.com. And if you're in school, or considering going back, there are lots of great programs that can get you a degree or certificate, which will also help kickstart things. Hope that helps!

[@DDrawer66]

Can you do an update on TeslaFi vs Tezlab in 2020? Tezlab seems to have made a lot of changes recently.

[@NicholasEJones]

Great vlog, can you do an in-depth review Teslafi

[@UndecidedMF]

I’ve been slowly working on a revisit of TeslaFi and Tezlab. The later has made some really nice changes. Keep an eye out.

[@JonelleTannahill]

Hi, I LOVE my Tesla. :) Thanks for the very comprehensive overview of these apps. I started using Teslab to see If I could track my millage for my interior decorating business. I have not figured out how to do this. Do you have a recommendation for an app to help by tracking millage for work trips? Thanks so much.

[@xtnvieira]

I recommend MileIQ. It will automatically track your drives and you can categorize them very easily. Been using this for tracking business miles for a couple years now.

[@zoiks6631]

I’m just not comfortable sharing my info and data with 3rd parties, so I don’t use anything beyond the Tesla app.

[@UndecidedMF]

Yeah, I wish Tesla would make it easier to manage your Tesla API tokens and what access you’re willing to share with an app.

[@siddheshswnt]

@@UndecidedMF I think Tesla app developer should watch this video.

[@archbish99]

Have you looked at TeslaMate? Rather than being provided as a service, you can get the Docker image and host on your own VM. Data (in theory, at the least) never leaves your control.

[@UndecidedMF]

Not yet, but adding it to my list.

[@DavidDrivesElectric]

BTW, I have been using Teslafi for more than 2 years. Very useful to track data over time.

[@mobilemac123]

David Drives Electric what are your top insights that you’ve gained based on that length of time with the App?

[@mikepatel8543]

Very good Video, I am using Teslafi service. I have question for you. Is that normal to loose 25miles of Battery in 8 months? My long range model Y has not max charge of 300 instead of 325.

[@CharlesGauthier]

Matt this was great. I really appreciate your detailed review. I can see why you chose to only look at 2 apps, this would have gone on forever if you did more (and I still would have watched it all) Please consider adding TeslaSpy to your list of products to review. Cheers

[@UndecidedMF]

I’ve also got a review on the iPhone app Stats. You might want to check that one out too. And as I mentioned in the other comment, I’ve got TeslaSpy on my list ... just have to figure out when to work it into my schedule.

[@sloperaly]

I know you did this awhile ago but still relevant..I've been using TeslaFi for about 2 years and I find it worth my while even if I don't check it more than once or twice a month. I have 2 cars logged on but not at the same time as one is always parked when the other is in use. I'd love a phone app. But why do you need Alexa when you have the phone app from Tesla to turn on the climate control?

[@DavidDrivesElectric]

I have no sleep setting at all on Teslafi. It is basically communicating with the car all the time. Drain per day is reasonable at 2-4 kWh per day.

[@UndecidedMF]

That's not too bad, but if you added a few sleep settings I bet you could drop that number.

[@DavidDrivesElectric]

@@UndecidedMF Yes, I tried turning it off for a week when I had the car parked at the airport for a week. Drain was much lower. I'm aware and OK with the additional drain. Getting a complete log of my car is worth that little extra cost to me. :)

[@kdkd693]

2-4kWh/day?! I only get 4-5kWh/day from my 1200watt solar in my RV. That is a lot of waste!!

[@CoolSilverWolf]

I love TeslaFi

[@kathleenmarschall6592]

You said you had trouble with delivery? I’ve had two appointments canceled already. The first one via text with less than 20 hours notice and this one for today, I learned about because I called to verify only to find out they still don’t have the car....over one month later!

[@UndecidedMF]

Yikes, that’s really bad. Mine was cancelled twice the night before each scheduled appointment. They’re definitely still struggling to work out the delivery kinks ... not good, but hopefully they’ll get it resolved soon.

[@kathleenmarschall6592]

Undecided with Matt Ferrell I hope so too. Now scheduled for 11/10, but I’m checking every day to see where it is. Love your videos, by the way. Haven’t watched this one yet, but as soon as the trick or treaters are gone, I’ll be checking it out.

[@UndecidedMF]

Crossing my fingers that 11/10 is the one for you. And more importantly ... happy Halloween!

[@kathleenmarschall6592]

Finally picked up my Model 3 yesterday and it was completely worth the wait. Thanks for your encouragement and kind words. I am a very happy owner.

[@UndecidedMF]

That’s great news! Third times a charm? So glad you’ve got it and are loving it.

[@JeanPierreWhite]

Are you going to show a how-to on replacing puddle lights you promote at the end of your videos?

[@UndecidedMF]

I am planning a video on replacing the trunk lights and glove box light, but don't have the puddle lights. I've been thinking about changing those out to one of the sets that has the model 3 symbol.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@UndecidedMF I got the puddle lights with no symbols, because I didn't want anything blocking the light pattern on the ground. Now, I only wish that there would be a way to replace the very dim push button overhead led lights.

[@UndecidedMF]

Yes! Those lights should be a lot brighter than they are. Sadly I haven’t found any replacements for those yet.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Undecided with Matt Ferrell Thanks, Matt

[@humandoing9675]

How does Teslafi compare to Sense regarding actual electricity used?

[@aquastyle]

Is there a way to compare temperature efficiency with other users on TESLAFI?

[@billligon4005]

Thanks for the review of these apps. What about STATS APP? Thanks again. Noticed from Stats that my Phantom drain dropped from .7% to .6% while many report .4%. My M3 is always unplugged in my condo garage and I charge at supercharger 2 miles away. Did the Tesla company change the battery software to fix phantom drain?? I like STATS app because it's a one time fee.

[@UndecidedMF]

Stats is my favorite and goto recommendation. Published a review on that a little while back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6XUpYqumaqSoc0 Working on an updated video now for my top 5 Tesla apps.

[@GregHassler]

About two years later and the experience is still pretty much the same. I started with TezLab and was highly disappointed after a few weeks, I wasn't getting any value from it. TeslaFi is much better and can show me data in any way I can imagine, but they still have no mobile app or even a mobile compatible website. Ridiculous for 2020.

[@Rocinante7008]

Any chance of a revisit of this topic with possible new info? 10 months is an eternity in the world of mobile apps and development.

[@UndecidedMF]

Funny you should mention that. I’m going to be revisiting Tezlab very soon.

[@donc.6353]

Just as some added information on TeslaFi. As of the past few weeks, there seems to be no response from their support or forums. As well - users are saying that recent trips and data is missing. Maybe they are all on vacation or they are finished with supporting it. At $5 month or $50 a year, that's not acceptable. Maybe you can check with your contacts to see if it's still alive? I hope they are just going through growing pains, but it doesn't look good.

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks for the feedback. I know they haven’t walked away from the product, so it might be a summer time vacation issue (still not great).

[@falconviewimagery1202]

Question: On Teslafi it shows my car is idling for 5+ hours in the AM. I haven't driven it yet, so I would assume that it should still say sleeping, correct?

[@UndecidedMF]

Yes, it should be reporting as sleeping during that time. You might want to check the settings -> sleep modes in TeslaFi. Make sure you have sleep mode enabled. My car is set to 30 minutes for both “Time to try sleeping” and “Idle Time Before Trying to Sleep.” I also have Nighttime TeslaFi Sleep Mode enabled, as well as the deep sleep mode.

[@andyfeimsternfei8408]

I really wish someone technically competent like yourself could get an inside track to Tesla allowing you to filter ideas, suggestions and feature requests from owners and submit them. I think the "normal" channels are too flooded with garbage to get valid points through anymore. Simply too much noise.

[@andyfeimsternfei8408]

Then I wish Tesla would respond to you with direct feedback such as their acceptance, rejection and commitments related to the owner comments. Currently trying to get responses from Elon over Twitter simply isn't efficient or very satisfying.

[@UndecidedMF]

I’d love that .. either myself as a conduit or any other number of folks out there. It would really help with communication.

[@fudgeknuckle952]

Maybe take a look at Tezlab Pro cuz ben and time :D

[@davvvvvo]

Update video soon?

[@UndecidedMF]

Yep ... soon.

[@svettparre]

2020 and still not a app for ios or android :) But still be best option.

[@HockeyDay]

For TezLab Ben Sullins , works with/for them. Contact him for your changesTeslanomics with Ben Sullins

[@UndecidedMF]

Tezlab has actually contacted me, and Ben left a few comments here and on my follow up video. Looks like updates are coming.

[@Denbo68]

I'm not finding the TeslaFi Alexa skill mentioned in the video.

[@UndecidedMF]

Looks like the skill was pulled today because it contained “Tesla” in the name. They should have a new skill out in a few days. Here’s a post from the developer: about.teslafi.com/alexa/

[@careylumeng8922]

what about teslamate?

[@incrediblehulk7811]

This channel is for tesla owners.

[@jgelon]

Maybe you already learned about this, but there is now a self hosted system for the same information as TezLab; github.com/adriankumpf/teslamate

[@andyfeimsternfei8408]

I actually use Teslafi to disable sleep altogether! I do not have ATT cellular service where I live. Tesla only contacts or cars via cellular to wake, then downloads firmware updates by wifi. Leaving a car with wifi only means Tesla won't ever wake your car for updates. Also I cannot wake my car with any app over wifi if the car is sleeping.

[@UndecidedMF]

Do you notice a lot of battery drain not letting your car sleep like that?

[@andyfeimsternfei8408]

@@UndecidedMF 1-2 Kwh per day. Tesla leaves me no choice until they wake the car on wifi.

[@UndecidedMF]

That’s not as much as I would have expected, but hopefully they do open the car up to wake on WiFi. I’m guessing you probably already have done this, but you should pester Tesla support about this ... or Tweet at Elon. It’s surprising how much he responds to customers if you can catch him on Twitter.

[@andyfeimsternfei8408]

@@UndecidedMF Oh yes, I have hammered Tesla and Elon in every way I can. I think we have to all realize that now its like throwing a pebble into an ocean on Mars! The good and bad of Tesla growing into a big company. I hope the whole Tesla OS becomes at least partially open source someday. We can dream! You do a great job. I work in SCADA/automation and work on industrial HMI development. What is it that you do?

[@UndecidedMF]

Thanks so much. I’ve made a career working as a UI/UX designer and creative director (search engines, travel websites, and video games). I could go on for hours about all the things I think Tesla is doing right, and doing wrong with their in-car UI. ;-)

[@meanwhileinsooke]

Phantom drain from apps is horrible

[@UndecidedMF]

Depends on the app. Some actually do a really good job keeping it to a minimum.

[@HockeyDay]

The EU new rules should have changed this private settings!

[@avianspies]

*is concerned of privacy implications when using Tezlab* *uses an Amazon Alexa in his home*

[@DikkeBetha]

I've been driving Tesla's for 6 years now. First an S and an X. I just drive the car and worry about nothing. Phantom-drain who cares? I don't understand people who are so anal about such things. Just drive the bloody thing and if you need to charge, charge. I never cared about fuel consumption when I was still killing trees in my ICE cars so why should I care now. Just use the car.

[@possibilityspace]

Axis is not pronounced "access". Arrgh!

[@imlkrsfn]

That's all you got out of the video?