Most Affordable Auto Repair Shop Software (under $200/mo)

Benjamin Johnson

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December 31, 2025

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Read time: 3 min

Key Takeaways

  • Best free automotive software: Hibbitts, PartsTech, and Square
  • Best automotive software under $200/mo: Tekmetric, Shop Boss, and Torque360
  • Best automotive software under $400/mo: Shop-Ware, RO Writer, and Protractor

Running an auto repair shop is a balancing act. Between managing a busy workflow, keeping repairs on schedule, and ensuring every customer leaves satisfied, there isn't much time left to deal with complicated computer programs. You need a shop management solution that works as hard as you do, but you don't want it eating up all your profit margins.

Today, even small shops and mobile mechanics can access professional-grade management tools for a fraction of the cost. Whether you are looking for a way to streamline your day-to-day tasks or need a full, all-in-one system with digital vehicle inspections, there is an affordable option out there.

Most affordable auto repair shop software options.

Free Mechanic Shop Software Options

If you are just starting out or keeping things extremely lean, "free" is a price tag that’s hard to beat. While most free software comes with limits on users or features, these options may be a good place to start.

Hibbitts Auto Pro

Hibbitts is a veteran-owned and operated software solution for mechanic shops. Offering a free version that includes estimates, invoices, and POS, this solution can be a good starting point for new shops. More mature shops may need more functionality and modern features, but this can be a good stepping stone to an all-in-one solution.

Hibbitts free features include:

  • One free user
  • CRM
  • Estimates
  • Invoices
  • POS

PartsTech

While not a full-blown auto repair shop management software, PartsTech is an essential tool for any shop. It allows for parts ordering from multiple vendors in one place. Instead of calling three different stores, you can see real-time availability and pricing instantly. They offer a free tier with limited functionality so you can test out the solution.

PartsTech free features include:

  • Unlimited users
  • Unlimited parts lookups & ordering
  • License plate and VIN lookups
  • Full vehicle diagrams
  • Integrates with 35+ shop management systems

Square

Square is a popular POS software for all types of businesses. It does lack most modern shop management features, but it can help smaller shops schedule and take payments.

Square free features include:

  • Invoices
  • Estimates
  • Point of sale
  • Scheduling
  • Basic website

Best Auto Repair Software Under $200 a Month

This is the "sweet spot" for most shop owners. In this pricing bracket, you get professional functionality, reliable customer support, and the ability to streamline your entire mechanic business without breaking the bank.

Tekmetric

Tekmetric is the only all-in-one solution that was built by a former shop owner. With intuitive workflows, modern features, and reliable support, Tekmetric is a leading shop software option for under $200 a month.

Tekmetric features include:

  • Estimates
  • Digital vehicle inspections and mobile app
  • Marketing/CRM solution
  • Payments and POS
  • Single, multi-location, and franchise support
  • 70+ integrations

Shop Boss

Shop Boss is a modern shop management system with a base plan starting under $200/mo. Offering competitive features and support, Shop Boss is a solid pick for shops that have larger budgets.

Shop Boss features include:

  • Canned jobs
  • VIN scanner
  • Payments
  • Dashboards
  • DVIs

Torque360

Torque360 is a well-rounded software option for all types of shops. Torque360 has a variety of uses and supports automotive, marine, and RV shops.

Torque360 features include:

  • Digital vehicle inspections
  • POS
  • Inventory management
  • Mobile app
  • Estimates & invoices

Top Automotive Software Under $400 a Month

If your mechanic shop is growing or you have multi-location ambitions, you may be able to justify a more expensive software solution. However, expensive doesn’t always mean better. Focus on the features your shop needs today and what your shop will need to scale in the future.

Shop-Ware

Shop-Ware starts around $224/mo, but offers a competitive all-in-one shop management software. Supporting single and multi-shop businesses, Shop-Ware might be a good solution for your shop.

Shop-Ware features include:

  • CRM
  • Estimates and invoices
  • DVIs
  • Payments
  • Inventory management

RO Writer

RO Writer is a cloud-based automotive shop software and starts at around $219 per month. Offering a modern all-in-one solution, this is a competitive option in the auto repair shop software space.

RO Writer features include:

  • DVIs
  • Single and multi-shop support
  • Inventory management
  • Faster workflows
  • Reporting

Protractor

Protractor is the most expensive software we researched, starting around $359/mo. This may be a good solution for multi-shop businesses or shops looking to scale quickly.

Protractor features include:

  • Digital vehicle inspections
  • POS
  • Online booking
  • Repair orders
  • Inventory management

Which features should I look for?

When we talk about pricing for auto repair software, it’s easy to focus only on the monthly bill. But remember the real "cost" is the time you waste on a bad system. A good software solution will pay for itself within a few months.

Most importantly, it should streamline your workflows and reduce friction in the shop. Some key features to look for in any shop software:

  • Customer communication: Two-way texting can save you and your service advisors a lot of time.
  • Marketing and CRM: Online scheduling, modern websites, Google review management, and service reminders are all important features to keep your bays full.
  • Payments and POS: Taking payment quickly and securely is one of the most important features for any shop.
  • Scalability: Find a software solution that supports your long-term goals.
  • Cloud-based: If you are on the go a lot, find a solution that keeps up with your busy schedule.
  • Support: Before you buy, give each software company a call and see which one will pick up their phone for support needs.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right auto repair shop management software is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your business. The goal of any shop management software isn't just to track repair orders—it's to reduce friction in your workflows. By using modern software, you can spend less time behind a desk and more time doing what you love.

👉 Ready to grow your automotive business? [Book a personalized Tekmetric Demo Here]

FAQ

What are some affordable auto repair shop software options under $200 per month?

Is free auto repair shop software available?

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Scaling your auto repair business requires moving beyond simple spreadsheets and paper repair orders. You need a robust shop management software that has enterprise-level features, centralized real-time reporting, and helps you provide a consistent customer experience across locations.

This guide breaks down the top enterprise software solutions for auto repair shops with 2+ locations.

Top 5 Enterprise Solutions for Shops With Multiple Locations

Finding the right software partner for your expanding shop is critical to your success. Below you will find our top overall picks for multi-shop operators (MSOs).

1. Tekmetric

Multi-shop owners love Tekmetric because they can run their entire business, across all locations, from one platform. Featuring an all-in-one shop management solution with centralized real-time reporting, marketing, payments, and 70+ integrations, Tekmetric makes it easier for you to manage multiple locations.
Why we picked Tekmetric:

  • Unified inventory & part management: See your entire inventory availability, order parts, and transfer parts across locations as needed.
  • All-in-one solution: Instead of switching between platforms, Tekmetric offers shop management, POS, and CRM in one place.
  • Company history: Built by a former shop owner, Tekmetric is often praised for ease of use, simple onboarding, reliable support, and listening to customer feedback.
  • Pricing: Starts at $179/mo (billed annually).

2. Shop-Ware

Shop-Ware is designed to help you maintain consistency across multiple locations with unified customer history, reporting, and employee management features.

Why we picked Shop-Ware:

  • Reporting: Find the metrics that matter the most to your business.
  • Customer experience: Standardize your customer experience across locations.
  • Employee management: Easily compare employee productivity and manage permission levels.
  • Pricing: Starts at $224/mo (billed annually).

3. Protractor

Protractor is a popular shop management system for shops with multiple locations or franchises. Protractor offers advanced reporting features and shop management features so you can run your shop confidently.

Why we picked Protractor:

  • Reporting: Performance tracking, insights, and employee productivity monitoring.
  • Accounting: Built-in accounting tools.
  • Integrations: Multiple integration partners.
  • Pricing: Starts at $359/mo (billed annually).

4. Fullbay

Fullbay specializes in heavy-duty truck and trailer repair shops. Most standard shop software struggles with the complexity of fleet maintenance, but Fullbay was built for it.

Why we picked Fullbay:

  • Centralized inventory: Track parts and inventory across all locations.
  • Integrations: Fullbay has plenty of industry interrogations to keep your shop running.
  • Cloud-based: Manage your shop from anywhere.
  • Pricing: Starting at $188/mo.

5. Garage360

If you are looking for a lighter software solution, Garage360 might be a good option for your shop. Supporting quick-lube, body/collision, and fleet, Garage360 can be used in a variety of shops.

Why we picked Garage360:

  • Versatile: Can be used in multiple shop types.
  • Permission control: Manage your employee permissions across locations.
  • Reporting: Pull the data you need to make informed decisions.
  • Pricing: Starting at $79/mo (billed annually).

Which software features should I look for when I manage multiple shops?

If you are comparing software options for your chain operations, these are the modern features to look for:

Centralized real-time reporting: Tired of trying to guess how each shop location is performing? Pick a software that can pull the data you need from any location or aggregate it across shop locations within a user-friendly dashboard.

Inventory/parts management: Tracking parts can be difficult as you expand. Find a solution that can track inventory levels and transfer parts as needed across locations.

Standardized workflows: Having standard workflows streamlines your shop operations. Select a software that can standardize your operations, prices, and procedures.

Employee permissions: Managing employee permissions is critical to ensuring the safety of your company data and holding employees accountable. Pick a software that keeps your business secure.

Customer communication: Modern customers expect a higher level of communication than they did 10 years ago. Find a shop management solution that provides online scheduling, DVIs, two-way texting, and other modern customer experience tools.

Single vs. Multi-Location Management: What are the differences?

Why can’t you just use a single-shop system? The difference lies in automation and control.

  • Standardization: In a multi-location setup, you need to ensure that technicians at every shop are following the same workflow and procedures so your customer experience is consistent.
  • Visibility: Single shop software may have reporting, but you need to be able to compare metrics between shops to make informed business decisions.
  • Security: Multi-shop software provides employee permission settings and typically comes with advanced data protection.
  • Pricing: Most single-shop software options will charge you per user or limit repair orders. Enterprise software will grow with you and charge based on the number of locations.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an enterprise-level auto repair shop software isn't just about features; it's about finding a partner that helps you maintain a consistent customer experience as you grow. Whether you prioritize inventory management, deep metrics, or standard procedures, ensure you find a solution that can grow with you.

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In the world of tires and engine diagnostics, the most powerful tool in your automotive shop might not be in your toolbox—it might be online. For the modern auto repair shop, a professional website is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s your 24/7 receptionist, your most compelling advertisement, and your digital front door.

But where do you start? The world of web design can feel as complex as a modern car's electrical system. This guide will navigate you through the complexities of website building and best practices to drive customers to your shop.

Why a website is essential for mechanics

In an age where the first step to solving a problem is a Google search, your customers are looking for you online. When a check engine light flashes or brakes start to squeal, their phone is the first thing they reach for. If you’re not there to be found, you’re handing business to your competitors.

1. Building trust: A professional car repair website acts as a digital handshake. It tells visitors that you are a legitimate, trustworthy auto repair business.

2. 24/7 Marketing engine: Your shop has closing hours, but your website works around the clock. It provides essential information like your location, auto services, and phone number. You can even add online scheduling features so you never miss a customer when they are ready to book.

3. Local search and SEO: A well-optimized website is critical for local SEO optimization. When someone searches "car repair near me," search engines like Google prioritize businesses with informative and mobile-friendly websites. A strong online presence puts you at the top of those results, making you the default choice for local customers in need. More on SEO later.

Key features for your auto repair shop website

Features to include in an auto repair website.

To be effective, your mechanic website needs more than just a pretty face. It requires specific features and functionality to meet the needs of your customers.

1. Contact information and hours

Your phone number, address (with an embedded, clickable map), and business hours should be prominently visible on your homepage, preferably at the top and bottom of every page. A simple and memorable automotive shop name can also help you be easily remembered when the next check engine light comes on.

2. Add service pages

Don’t just say "we fix cars." Create distinct auto repair service webpages listing all of your car repair services: oil changes, brake repair, engine diagnostics, transmission services, tire rotation, auto care, etc. This not only informs customers but also provides valuable keywords for search engines and helps customers know if you perform the service they need. You can also include your prices if you think it is a selling point.

3. Online appointment scheduling and payments

Convenience is king. An integrated scheduling system that allows customers to select a service and schedule a time slot is a game-changer. It reduces phone tag, streamlines your workflow, and improves the overall customer experience.

Tek-Tip: Overwhelmed? Tired of boring website templates? Let Tekmetric build you a custom website that is tailored to your business. (Must be a Tekmetric customer).

4. Customer testimonials and reviews

Social proof is incredibly persuasive. A dedicated section for reviews from satisfied customers builds trust and validates your quality of work. An easy place to start is by managing and responding to your Google reviews.

5. Mobile-Friendly design

The majority of local searches happen on mobile phones rather than desktops. Your website must be optimized for mobile devices and fully responsive to provide the best user experience.

6. Blogs

Writing blogs about topics your customers care about can be an easy way to drive online engagement and new customers. Make your blogs specific to your geographical area such as “How to fix a flat tire in Houston, Texas” or “What to do when your check engine light comes on in Denver, Colorado”.

7. Search engine optimization

Stop what you are doing and search for your key automotive services in Google. Does your shop show up on the first page of Google? If not, you likely have an opportunity to optimize your SEO strategy and online presence.

8. Clear goals

Your website should make it easy for customers to contact you or to book an appointment. Whether you add a contact form or online booking functionality, make it easy for potential customers to start the process.

9. Your story

Is your shop veteran or family owned and operated? Sharing your story and what makes your shop unique can be a big selling factor for potential customers.

The best website builders for your shop

You don’t need to be a coding expert to build a website. Modern website builder platforms offer intuitive tools that make the process straightforward.

Tekmetric: If you are tired of boring website templates and are already a Tekmetric customer, Tekmetric will build you a custom website design that matches your brand and services. You can even add SEO support and online bookings so you can waste less time on marketing and spend more time with your customers. Best of all, everything syncs with your Tekmetric platform so everything stays in one place.

CAUTION: building your own website can be time consuming, expensive, and lead to poor results. Most website builders do not have automotive industry experience and may not know the best practices. Let Tekmetric build you a custom website that is tailored to your business. (Must be a Tekmetric customer).

Wix: If you want to invest the time and manpower to create your own website, Wix is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It offers a wide selection of website templates, including many designed for the automotive industry.

Squarespace: Squarespace is another great option if you want to build your website yourself. Squarespace is known for its clean and modern website design templates.

Best auto repair website templates

Automotive website design templates.

Choosing a website design is about finding an aesthetic that reflects your brand and serves your customers' needs. Look for designs that are clean, professional, and easy to navigate. Here are a few of our favorite automotive websites:

KARR Automotive

The KARR website offers an engaging video on the home page paired with a bright aesthetic. It stands out to prospects with clear call-to-actions, customer testimonials,  services, and contact information.

Anderson Auto Repair

The Anderson website grabs your attention immediately with high-quality shop images with a minimalist aesthetic. We loved the easy to use online booking tool and embedded Google map for easy directions.

Hansen Auto Repair

Hansen Auto Repair has done a great job making their website easy to navigate and incorporating clear call-to-actions. They added specific service level website pages to maximize SEO performance and even added coupons/warranty information. The theme is patriotic while also being professional.

Quality RV Solutions

The last website to make our list was an RV repair shop showcasing that all types of repair shops need a website to drive business. This website also stood out because they added a link to their merchandise store and helpful FAQs.

How to choose the right website design for your shop

With so many options, how do you pick the web design that's right for you?

Define your goals: What is the single most important action you want a visitor to take? Is it to call you? Book online? Visit your shop? Your entire design should guide them toward that goal.

Customer first: Are you serving busy parents who value convenience, or car enthusiasts who appreciate technical detail? Your design, from colors to fonts, should speak their language.

Brand identity: Your website is an extension of your physical car mechanic shop. If your shop is known for being modern and tech-forward, your website should reflect that. If you're a third-generation family business, your site should convey that heritage and trust.

Budget and resources: Consider both the initial cost and the long-term maintenance of the website.

Prioritize functionality: A beautiful website that is slow, confusing, or broken is worse than a simple website that works perfectly. Ensure the website template you choose is fast-loading and provides a seamless user-friendly experience for your visitors.

Final thoughts

Building a modern auto repair website is one of the single best investments you can make in the future of your automotive business. It establishes your credibility and works 24/7 to attract new clients.

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