I spent 20 years using a Snap-On MTG2500 (similar to the less-expensive MT2500) and software cartridges that got me VIN-specific access from 1980 1/2 to 2005 or so.
When I killed that tool, I bought a Snap-On Solus Pro, with software from '80 1/2 to 2007.
Both of those purchased "used" on eBay at a fraction of their original cost.
Other folks get by with cables and software to run on a laptop computer. I've got ZERO experience with that, and I seem to have none of their troubles, either.
There are other professional-grade scan tools than just the Snap-On family; but I've got no experience with them, either.
And there's a huge stinking pile of bottom-feeder consumer-grade junk that I don't have any experience with, either.