Ya the auto enginuity thing is a crock if you don't buy the bundles. The autel will read fuel trims and specific codes I don't really care about the ford and duramax diesel since I have access to the shop tech 2/mdi and ford ids system. I doubt it'll do functional stuff like bleed abs pumps and such. But I'm not worried about that. Most scan tools above code readers will due ect, fuel trims, and o2 readings. You just won't get say ford koeo and koer tests and such. The autel will work just fine for what I need, the reason they cost so much is most folks won't be trying to look at icp and ipr readings or looking At frp on a duramax or commanding the q57 indirect injector. I just need basic stuff for gas engines if it reads diesel even better because that's a lot of my work and side work.
I have Autoenginuity and the Ford bundle for my powerstroke. It can do ABS bleed with the bundle. You can turn off individual injectors and do a powerbalance test with it. However, I don't like the powerbalance test on it because you can't instruct the PCM not to do its compensation for weak injector performance, which makes it difficult to see a marginal injector. I also don't like that you can't adjust the scale on the powerbalance test. Without a doubt, the IDS is superior. But AE is useful for those of us who don't have the almighty IDS and that don't want to pay for the truck all over again after a few trips to the dealer's service dept for repair on a powerstroke. Basically, if it can help a DIY'r through one or two events, it paid for itself given how much most Ford dealerships charge for parts and labor. Not bashing on dealers here, but you really can't argue with the numbers.
Here's a few screen captures of the AE displays while doing some diagnostics for my powerstroke. Note how my FICM voltage stumbles below spec of what should be a nominal value of 48 Volts, and not less than 45 volts per Ford's standards. On the last screen capture, the AE gauge display shows the FICM voltage at 43V, but AE will only show a flat line of 40V if it is 40V or less for some reason on that measurement. I had my Fluke leads with an extension and alligator clipped to the FICM stud so I could read it from inside the cab at the same time I used AE with my laptop.
I replaced my FICM power driver / half shell with one from International for $149+tax. Ford charges over $500 for the same part.