08/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2024 08:31
When you're an auto services pro trying to run a business, software may not be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, you have customers to call, parts to find, and plenty of cars to fix. How is software going to help you rebuild a six-cylinder engine?
Like any industry, managing an auto repair shop involves juggling multiple tasks, such as scheduling appointments, tracking inventory, and collecting customer payments. These might not be your favorite things to do each week, but they're essential for maintaining your business - and they're much easier to handle with auto repair shop management software.
This post will discuss the best management software solutions for auto repair shops. We'll explain what each one does and the pros and cons of each.
Manage Your Auto Repair Shop With Thryv
Learn MoreFinding the best software for your repair shop involves analyzing your business needs, determining a budget, and factoring in ease of use. Let's explore some of the best options available in the section below.
Best For: Small Auto Repair Shops
Thryv Command Center, its free communication software, connects your business via phone, video, and web chat. You can chat with customers and team members while on the go, and your conversations are all tracked in one place.
Thryv also offers marketing and business management tools, like appointment-booking software and a CRM. These features automate marketing campaigns and improve workflow at your business. With its Centralized Inbox, a free chat tool, and a CRM system, you'll be well on your way to a more organized workday.
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Price:Get started with Command Center for Free; Business Center starts at $228/month; Marketing Center starts at $228/month
Best For: Mid-Sized or Growing Auto Repair Shops
Built specifically for auto shops, Shopmonkey is efficient and easy to use. It is extremely user-friendly and a platform that allows you to manage appointments, invoices, and customer communications in one spot.
Shopmonkey also has an estimate tool that can predict the cost of a part or service. This software considers your labor costs, inventory, and other details affecting the final payment. It can also import vehicle data via the license plate and Vehicle identification number (VIN) so you can provide accurate estimates to customers.
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Price: $179/month for Basic Monkey plan; $292/month for Clever Monkey plan; $427/month for Genius Monkey plan
Best For: Auto Repair Shops with Multiple Locations
Shop-Ware is a cloud-based software (meaning that your data is stored within Shop-Ware's online system, not on your own device) designed to improve customer service and day-to-day operations. Using your login credentials, you can access your account from any computer or phone.
Shop-Ware is known for its excellent workflow management, thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. From one dashboard, you can see and manage everything that's going on in your shop, like repair orders and parts fulfillment.
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Price: $135/month for Mobile/Diag plan; $225/month for Startup plan; $334/month for Journey plan; $445/month for Master plan
Best For: Auto Repair Franchises
When it comes to reliability and ease of use, AutoLeap is a top contender for the best auto shop management software. It has solutions for independent repair shops, franchises, and businesses with multiple locations.
AutoLeap provides an impressive collection of tools designed to enhance productivity. For example, it has a productivity-tracking workboard that shows incomplete tasks and when they need to be completed. You can also assign and reassign tasks to efficiently delegate work at your shop.
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Price: Contact for Pricing
Buying Software
Checklist
A 12-step guide to buying the right software for your business.
Best For: Mechanics Constantly on the Go
TekMetric is a cloud-based software with features such as a shop management system, integrated payments, and real-time data. Your dashboard updates automatically, which means it's constantly refreshing to provide the most up-to-date information.
TekMetric also has a two-way texting feature, so you can contact clients from your phone. It's a convenient communication channel if you're always on the go and don't want to send an email.
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Price: $199/month for Start plan; $349/month for Grow plan; $439/month for Scale plan
Best For: Auto Repair Shops that Service Trucks
Mitchell1 provides a comprehensive management program known as Manager SE. It has over 180 reports for tracking your shop's performance, and features management tools such as scheduling and productivity tracking.
The "Parts Catalog" feature is particularly useful for shops that work with specialty vehicles. It has one of the largest selections of parts, so you can usually find what you're looking for. And the catalog uses real-time pricing, making it easy to provide quotes to customers before confirming their purchase.
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Price: $184/month for ProDemand plan; $254/month for TeamWorks plan
Best For: Shops That Need to Upgrade Their Software
Shop Boss is designed specifically for small auto repair shops. With solutions like digital vehicle inspections and appointment scheduling, you'll have plenty of tools to manage your daily operations.
Additional features include project tracking, digital payments, and text messaging. Clients can also access documents like invoices and updates through a customer portal.
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Price: $199/month for Gold plan; $299/month for Platinum plan; $399/month for Premier plan
Best for: Auto Repair Shops with Limited Budgets
While Wave isn't specifically set up for repair shops, it is quite useful for businesses in this industry. Its abundant accounting features make it great for managing finances, and its payment tools make it easy to stay on top of invoices.
It also has payroll features that ensure you and your team are paid on time. That keeps your staff happy and avoids costly payroll disputes.
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Price: Free to get started; $16/month for Pro plan
Are you wondering what to look for when shopping for auto repair shop management software? Here are a few key features:
Finding the best auto repair shop management software will help you maintain day-to-day operations, improve productivity, and increase customer satisfaction. Use this list to explore the providers in this post and choose the best software for your small business.
Buying Software
Checklist
A 12-step guide to buying the right software for your business.