Are you starting your first auto repair shop or still wrestling with paper repair orders and manual invoices? You're not alone.
Running a modern shop means you have to keep track of repair orders, parts inventory, tech hours, invoices, and customer updates. The right automotive shop management software can transform this daily chaos into a smooth, trackable workflow. We searched high and low to find budget-friendly shop management solutions.
This article breaks down the best options for small repair businesses. You'll find everything from all-in-one management systems to specific tools for marketing, estimates, and more.
Best overall auto repair software for small businesses
Finding the right auto repair shop software can change how you run your auto repair shop completely. We looked at dozens of options and found several outstanding solutions that blend powerful features with an easy-to-use design to help you run your daily operations better.
Tekmetric was built by a former shop owner looking to reduce the headache of running a shop and is trusted by over 12,000 repair shops. Small automotive businesses will like that Tekmetric is an all-in-one solution that can grow with your shop if you add additional locations or staff in the future.
With regular software updates, US-based support, 70+ integrations, glowing G2 reviews, and competitive pricing, Tekmetric is our top pick for small businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.
Tekmetric features include:
- Digital vehicle inspections
- Estimate building
- Reporting dashboards
- Inventory tracking
- Marketing and CRM
- Websites and online scheduling
- Two-way texting
- Payments and POS
ARI is a budget-friendly option for auto repair shops, mobile mechanics, independent technicians, and auto dealers. Depending on your shop's needs, you will likely need to integrate with other solutions to cover all of your bases. If you are looking to save money and don’t need an all-in-one solution, ARI might be a good fit for you. ARI features include:
- Invoices
- Inventory
- Payments
- Reporting
- Reminders
Torque360 is a cloud-based platform that lets you manage your shop's workflow remotely. Specializing in diverse shops such as marine and RV shops, Torque360 has a wide variety of applications. While not as dedicated to the auto repair space, Torque360 is a solid cloud-based option for most repair shops.
Torque360 features include:
- Estimates
- DVIs
- Inventory
- Payments
- Reporting
While many shop management systems exist for smaller shops, you can narrow down your list by focusing on what needs you have currently and how you see your business growing in the coming years. Do you prefer an all-in-one software? Do you need certain integrations? What pain points does your shop currently have? These are all helpful questions to ask when considering an auto repair management system.
Modern marketing and CRM software for small repair shops
If you are struggling to keep your bays full, an auto repair marketing software might be the fix you are looking for. Marketing software can help smaller shops attract new customers with an SEO-optimized website, online scheduling, and automated Google reviews. In addition, an auto repair CRM can help you manage your customer database and bring them back with automated reminders, promotional campaigns, and two-way texting.
Tekmetric offers a modern marketing and CRM platform specifically designed for auto repair shops of all sizes. Built into the all-in-one Tekmetric platform, smaller shops can manage their marketing and CRM efforts from the same platform they use to build estimates.
Tekmetric marketing features include:
- SEO-optimized website builds
- Online scheduling
- Automated Google reviews
- Two-way texting
- Email and text campaigns
- Automated service reminders
- All-in-one shop management software
AutoVitals offers a CRM and marketing solution built for automotive shops. While AutoVitals integrates with Tekmetric, they are more focused on DVIs and marketing versus an all-in-one solution.
Features include:
- Digital vehicle inspections
- Email and text campaigns
- Website builds
- Service reminders
- Review management
Autoflow helps keep your customers coming back through smart automation. Autoflow tracks customer history and priorities to send targeted offers for preventive maintenance and repairs.
Features include:
- Service reminders
- DVIs
- Scheduling
- Review management
Finding the right marketing and CRM for smaller businesses can be challenging, but doable if you keep your focus on what features you need now, what features you will need as you grow, and your budget. Remember that a good automotive marketing platform will pay for itself if you use it effectively.
Secure payments and POS software for small repair shops
Your small auto repair business needs a fast and secure way to accept payments and keep the cash flowing. Modern auto repair POS systems can help your customers say “yes” to more work by offering financing and digital approvals.
Tekmetric Payments protects your revenue through intelligent payment collection. Offering buy now, pay later, your customers have more options to afford expensive repairs and more ways to approve estimates. Tekmetric Payments is built into the Tekmetric platform and offers:
- Buy Now, Pay Later
- Text to pay
- Digital approvals
- POS software
- Fraud protection
- All-in-one shop management software
ARI processes payments through collaborations with payment networks, including PayPal, Square, Stripe, and 360Payments. Features include:
- Online payments
- Partial payments
- Digital invoices
If you are strictly looking for a payment software without shop management or other features, Stripe might be the best fit for your business. Square is one of the most popular payment platforms and features:
- Multiple hardware options
- Affordable processing fees
- Accepts most payment types
Payment and POS software can make a big difference for small auto shops. Providing customer financing options and digital authorizations can increase your work approval rates and boost profits. Ask your customers what pain points they have and how you can make it easier for them to say “yes”.
Best auto parts inventory tracking software for small shops
Auto parts inventory tracking software is vital to any shop's workflow. The right inventory management software helps avoid overstocking or delaying repairs because you are waiting on parts. Start optimizing your parts inventory today with these tools:
Tekmetric offers smooth inventory management tracking for all shop sizes. This includes location-specific reporting and unified stock visibility. Tekmetrics automotive parts inventory software lets shops:
- Real-time inventory tracking from any device
- Integrated parts ordering
- Automated data entry
- Cost analysis for each job based on inventory usage
- Track part lifetime and performance
Sortly is an inventory management software that supports almost every industry. Shops can utilize Sortly to track custom details such as location, cost, SKU, and manufacturer. Sortly has these features:
- Low stock alerts to prevent running out of crucial parts
- Expiration date and warranty tracking
- Inventory dashboards
Napa Tracs delivers modern inventory management built for automotive shops. The software makes ordering simple through direct integrations with top vendors. It tracks order status for all parts by order or job. Features include:
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Automated reordering
- Inventory thresholds
Whatever solution you pick, inventory tracking software means better cash flow, less waste, and improved efficiency for small auto repair shops.
Best tire shop software for small businesses
Regular auto repair software doesn't always solve the problems tire shops face. Tire shops need specialized software to manage their tire inventories, track seasonal needs, and boost their efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Tire Suite by Tekmetric is our top pick for small tire shops because it offers modern features and integrates with the rest of the Tekmetric platform. This means tire shops can sell tires from the same platform they create marketing promotions from. The Tekmetric tire shop software offers the following features:
- Automated DOT registration
- Streamlined tire ordering
- Comprehensive tire fitment data and tire specs
- DVIs
- Integrated payments and shop management
TireMaster software handles tire-specific operations through specialized inventory management that tracks tire sizes, brands, models, and DOT numbers. TireMaster features include:
- DOT registration
- Fitment guide
- TPMS
Tire Guru is a comprehensive option for tire shops that can afford a more robust software. Their cloud-based platform features:
- Tire pricing
- Tire inventory management
- DVIs
- Integrated payments
Tire shops operate on small margins and need the right software to optimize inventory investment and sales. The best tire shop software for your small business should balance specialized tire features with core management tools to run a profitable automotive business.
Best mobile apps for small shops
Mobile apps allow shop owners to handle everything from check-ins to digital vehicle inspections without being stuck at a desk. They are powerful tools to modernize your business and improve your efficiency. Below you will find our favorite mobile apps for small repair shops.
The Tekmetric Mobile App helps shops move faster with mobile check-ins, DVIs and more. It’s a free app for Tekmetric customers and is specifically designed to make your workflow more efficient. Features include:
- Mobile check-in
- VIN and license plate scanner
- Digital vehicle inspections
- Upload pictures and videos from inspections
AutoLeaps mobile app allows shops to scan VINs and log inspections faster and more efficiently. Some of the other features include:
- VIN scanning
- Mobile check-in
- Mobile inspections
Orderry’s mobile app platform helps create, track, and finish repairs from your phone. While not specifically designed for the automotive world, this app can help small businesses create simple workflows. Some of the more notable features include:
- Smart scheduling
- Payments
- Mobile work orders
Once you find the right mobile solution for your business, you will be able to work more efficiently and provide a better customer experience. The best mobile apps for your shop will integrate with your shop management system and reduce friction points with your customers.
Accurate estimate building software for small automotive shops
Quick and accurate estimates are vital to any auto repair business. The right software makes this process quick, easy to understand, and integrates with your shop management system. Here are a few of our favorites:
Tekmetric brings all of your shop operations into one platform, including estimates. Tekmetrics’ auto repair estimate software offers a faster way to create estimates by linking inspection findings, labor guides, and parts inventory. Features include:
- Smart jobs
- Integrated DVIs
- Job and customer history
- Inventory management
- Digital customer approvals
- All-in-one software
Shop-Ware helps you prepare and share estimates in seconds. It combines photos and videos to enhance the customer experience. Other features include:
- Canned jobs
- Customer and job history
- Customer texting
Identifix offers a shop management system with an integrated estimate builder. It is a cloud-based system that you can take with you on the go. Other features include:
- Fast ROs
- Integrated inventory management
- Mobile app
Estimate building software is vital to all automotive shops. Customers expect to see professional and accurate estimates before approving work. You can delight customers by going a step further and looking for software with digital approvals, DVIs, and other modern features.
Best digital vehicle inspection software for small repair shops
In an industry that is full of customer skepticism, building customer trust is what sets shops apart from the others. Digital vehicle inspections (DVI) software is a modern way for small repair shops to build that trust. Technicians can document vehicle conditions with photos and videos, showing customers exactly what needs ot be fixed on their vehicle. This leads to more customer trust, transparency, and a better customer experience. Here are the top picks for digital vehicle inspection software:
Tekmetric offers a modern DVI software that boosts customer relationships through transparency. Their mobile app makes it easy for technicians to perform detailed inspections, take photos, mark up images, and record videos from any device.
All of the DVI findings are fully integrated within the Tekmetric platform making it easy for you to share findings, ask for digital customer approvals, and take payment.
AutoVitals offers DVI software with features like image editing, internal chat, educational videos, and canned notes. This typically leads to higher ARO and ultimately, a better customer experience.
BOLT ON offers a popular DVI software that allows you take pictures and videos of your finding to share with customers. They also offer license plate scanning, invoice generation, and review management.
Final Thoughts
The right auto repair software can reshape how your small business operates. Modern shop management software cuts administrative time and allows your team to focus on actual repairs instead of paperwork.
Note that the "best" software depends on your shop's specific needs. A specialized tire shop needs different features than a general repair facility. Take time to assess your unique requirements before deciding. Most of the above software options offer free demos, so book a meeting and see which is the right fit for your shop.
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