Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopmonkey - All-in-one auto repair shop management platform with advanced digital invoicing, payments, and customer communication.
- 2#2: Tekmetric - Comprehensive auto shop software featuring streamlined invoicing, real-time reporting, and integrated payments.
- 3#3: AutoLeap - Cloud-based auto repair solution with automated invoicing, scheduling, and multi-location management.
- 4#4: Shop-Ware - Digital vehicle service platform focused on efficient repair order creation and invoicing workflows.
- 5#5: Mitchell 1 Manager SE - Integrated shop management system with robust invoicing, estimating, and accounting for repair shops.
- 6#6: Protractor - Cloud garage management software offering customizable invoicing and parts matrix for auto repairs.
- 7#7: GaragePlug - End-to-end garage management tool with invoicing, inventory tracking, and customer portals.
- 8#8: RAPID21 - Collision repair shop software with detailed invoicing, supplements, and insurance integration.
- 9#9: QQ Catalyst - Automotive shop management solution providing invoicing, digital inspections, and QuickBooks integration.
- 10#10: ARI - Dealer management system with invoicing, parts sales, and service processing for automotive retailers.
We ranked these tools based on robust industry-specific features, user-friendly design, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they address the unique needs of repair shops, collision centers, and retailers.
Comparison Table
Efficient invoicing is vital for optimizing operations in automotive repair and service sectors, and selecting the right software can enhance productivity and accuracy. This comparison table explores key tools including Shopmonkey, Tekmetric, AutoLeap, Shop-Ware, Mitchell 1 Manager SE, and more, outlining features, usability, and integration to help businesses identify the best fit for their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopmonkey All-in-one auto repair shop management platform with advanced digital invoicing, payments, and customer communication. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Tekmetric Comprehensive auto shop software featuring streamlined invoicing, real-time reporting, and integrated payments. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | AutoLeap Cloud-based auto repair solution with automated invoicing, scheduling, and multi-location management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Shop-Ware Digital vehicle service platform focused on efficient repair order creation and invoicing workflows. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Mitchell 1 Manager SE Integrated shop management system with robust invoicing, estimating, and accounting for repair shops. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Protractor Cloud garage management software offering customizable invoicing and parts matrix for auto repairs. | specialized | 1.5/10 | 0.5/10 | 3.5/10 | 1.0/10 |
| 7 | GaragePlug End-to-end garage management tool with invoicing, inventory tracking, and customer portals. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | RAPID21 Collision repair shop software with detailed invoicing, supplements, and insurance integration. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | QQ Catalyst Automotive shop management solution providing invoicing, digital inspections, and QuickBooks integration. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | ARI Dealer management system with invoicing, parts sales, and service processing for automotive retailers. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
All-in-one auto repair shop management platform with advanced digital invoicing, payments, and customer communication.
Comprehensive auto shop software featuring streamlined invoicing, real-time reporting, and integrated payments.
Cloud-based auto repair solution with automated invoicing, scheduling, and multi-location management.
Digital vehicle service platform focused on efficient repair order creation and invoicing workflows.
Integrated shop management system with robust invoicing, estimating, and accounting for repair shops.
Cloud garage management software offering customizable invoicing and parts matrix for auto repairs.
End-to-end garage management tool with invoicing, inventory tracking, and customer portals.
Collision repair shop software with detailed invoicing, supplements, and insurance integration.
Automotive shop management solution providing invoicing, digital inspections, and QuickBooks integration.
Dealer management system with invoicing, parts sales, and service processing for automotive retailers.
Shopmonkey
specializedAll-in-one auto repair shop management platform with advanced digital invoicing, payments, and customer communication.
Interactive Digital Vehicle Inspections with real-time customer approvals and upsell recommendations
Shopmonkey is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for automotive repair shops, offering robust invoicing, scheduling, inventory tracking, and customer management tools. It excels in streamlining workflows with digital vehicle inspections, one-click invoicing, and integrated payments to boost efficiency and revenue. Designed specifically for the auto service industry, it provides real-time reporting and mobile accessibility for on-the-go operations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for technicians and owners
- Powerful digital vehicle inspections with customer photo approvals
- Seamless invoicing and payment processing with QuickBooks integration
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small shops
- Advanced reporting locked behind premium tiers
- Occasional need for custom integrations with niche tools
Best For
Medium to large auto repair shops needing an all-in-one solution for invoicing, inspections, and shop management.
Pricing
Starts at $199/month (Starter plan) up to $499+/month (Unlimited), billed annually; per-location pricing with add-ons for inspections and texting.
Tekmetric
specializedComprehensive auto shop software featuring streamlined invoicing, real-time reporting, and integrated payments.
Digital Vehicle Inspection tool with photo/video capture and real-time customer approvals via text/email
Tekmetric is a cloud-based shop management software tailored for automotive repair businesses, offering seamless invoicing integrated with digital vehicle inspections, scheduling, and payments. It enables technicians to create detailed, visual invoices directly from mobile inspections, improving customer approvals and revenue capture. The platform also includes inventory management, customer CRM, and advanced reporting for operational efficiency.
Pros
- Award-winning Digital Vehicle Inspections that boost average repair orders by 30-50%
- Intuitive mobile app for techs and seamless invoicing workflow
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small shops
- Some advanced features require add-ons or higher tiers
- Initial setup and learning curve for full utilization
Best For
Mid-sized automotive repair shops aiming to increase revenue through visual inspections and streamlined invoicing.
Pricing
Starts at $250/month per shop (billed annually), with tiers up to $500+ for multi-bay or enterprise features; custom quotes available.
AutoLeap
specializedCloud-based auto repair solution with automated invoicing, scheduling, and multi-location management.
Digital Vehicle Inspection tool with photo annotations and customer approval workflows that auto-generate invoices
AutoLeap is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for auto repair shops, offering robust invoicing capabilities alongside scheduling, inventory management, and customer relationship tools. It enables digital vehicle inspections, one-click invoicing from inspections, and seamless payment processing to streamline shop operations. The software emphasizes revenue growth through automated upsells and improved customer communication via SMS and email.
Pros
- Powerful digital inspections that feed directly into customizable invoices
- Integrated payments and QuickBooks sync for efficient billing
- Mobile app for technicians to update invoices in real-time from the shop floor
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with additional users or high-volume shops
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited advanced reporting without higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-sized auto repair shops seeking an all-in-one solution to replace fragmented invoicing and management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $199/month for basic plan (up to 5 users, unlimited vehicles); Pro at $299/month; Enterprise custom; annual discounts available.
Shop-Ware
specializedDigital vehicle service platform focused on efficient repair order creation and invoicing workflows.
Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) system with multimedia customer approvals directly tied to invoicing
Shop-Ware is a cloud-based shop management platform designed specifically for automotive repair shops, offering comprehensive tools for invoicing, estimating, parts ordering, and customer management. It excels in automotive invoicing by integrating digital vehicle inspections (DVI) that capture photos and videos to secure customer approvals before work begins, streamlining the billing process. The software also supports electronic payments, QuickBooks integration, and real-time reporting to enhance shop efficiency and profitability.
Pros
- Powerful Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) for higher approval rates and ARO
- Seamless invoicing with line-item approvals, payments, and accounting integrations
- Mobile app for techs and robust multi-location support
Cons
- Premium pricing may strain small shops
- Initial setup and learning curve for full utilization
- Some advanced reporting requires add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized automotive repair shops seeking integrated digital inspections and invoicing to increase revenue per repair order.
Pricing
Subscription tiers start at $132/month (Basic) up to $299/month (Premium), plus one-time setup fees and optional add-ons; custom quotes for enterprises.
Mitchell 1 Manager SE
enterpriseIntegrated shop management system with robust invoicing, estimating, and accounting for repair shops.
Integrated Parts and Labor Matrix for instant, accurate pricing directly from OEM-sourced databases during invoicing
Mitchell 1 Manager SE is a robust shop management software tailored for automotive repair businesses, excelling in generating detailed invoices from repair orders that include labor, parts, and diagnostics. It integrates seamlessly with Mitchell 1's ProDemand for accurate estimating and parts lookup, streamlining the invoicing process from service to payment. The platform also handles customer management, inventory tracking, and basic accounting, making it a comprehensive tool for shop operations.
Pros
- Powerful invoicing with customizable repair orders and real-time parts/labor pricing
- Seamless integration with Mitchell 1 repair databases for accurate billing
- Strong reporting tools for tracking invoices, payments, and shop productivity
Cons
- Desktop-based interface feels dated compared to modern cloud solutions
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Higher cost may not suit very small shops
Best For
Medium to large automotive repair shops needing integrated repair data and detailed invoicing capabilities.
Pricing
Subscription-based, starting at around $200/month per station, scaling with users and modules up to $400+/month.
Protractor
specializedCloud garage management software offering customizable invoicing and parts matrix for auto repairs.
End-to-end browser automation tailored for Angular applications
Protractor is an open-source end-to-end testing framework primarily designed for automating tests on Angular and AngularJS web applications using Selenium WebDriver. It excels in simulating user interactions within browsers but offers no built-in features for automotive invoicing, such as generating repair orders, managing parts inventory, tracking customer payments, or handling service workflows. While it could theoretically test a custom web-based invoicing system, it is not a dedicated automotive invoicing solution and has been deprecated since 2020 with no further updates.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Strong integration with Angular apps for testing
- Supports asynchronous testing scenarios
Cons
- Lacks all automotive invoicing functionality
- Deprecated with no active maintenance or support
- Requires significant custom development to adapt for invoicing use cases
Best For
Angular developers who need a testing framework to validate custom-built web invoicing applications indirectly.
Pricing
Free and open-source.
GaragePlug
specializedEnd-to-end garage management tool with invoicing, inventory tracking, and customer portals.
Visual drag-and-drop job cards that auto-populate detailed, compliant invoices with parts photos and labor breakdowns
GaragePlug is a cloud-based garage management platform designed for automotive repair shops, offering robust invoicing capabilities integrated with job cards, inventory, and customer management. It enables quick creation of customizable invoices with automatic calculations for parts, labor, and taxes, along with payment tracking and reminders. The software also supports reporting, SMS/email notifications, and multi-location operations to streamline workshop billing and administration.
Pros
- Seamless job card to invoice conversion with real-time costing
- Comprehensive inventory and CRM integration for accurate billing
- Mobile app for on-the-go invoicing and shop floor access
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small single-user garages
- Limited native integrations with popular accounting software like QuickBooks
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
Best For
Medium-sized automotive repair shops needing an integrated invoicing and operations management solution.
Pricing
Starts at ₹2,999/month (about $36 USD) for Starter plan; Pro and Enterprise tiers from ₹4,999/month with custom quotes.
RAPID21
specializedCollision repair shop software with detailed invoicing, supplements, and insurance integration.
The Parts Matrix, which provides instant OEM-equivalent parts pricing and descriptions to speed up invoicing.
RAPID21 is a cloud-based automotive invoicing and repair order management software designed specifically for auto repair shops. It streamlines the creation of estimates, invoices, and repair orders with features like a comprehensive parts matrix, labor time guides, and customer database integration. The platform emphasizes speed and mobility, allowing service advisors to generate professional documents quickly from any device.
Pros
- Rapid invoicing and estimating with one-click functionality
- Built-in parts matrix and labor guides for quick lookups
- Mobile-responsive design for shop-floor use
Cons
- Limited integrations with major accounting software
- Requires reliable internet connection as it's cloud-based
- Basic reporting compared to enterprise-level competitors
Best For
Small to medium auto repair shops needing fast, straightforward invoicing without complex CRM or inventory needs.
Pricing
Monthly subscriptions start at $49 for basic single-user plans, scaling to $199+ for multi-user shops with advanced features.
QQ Catalyst
specializedAutomotive shop management solution providing invoicing, digital inspections, and QuickBooks integration.
Catalyst Inspect digital vehicle inspection app that captures issues visually and generates instant repair approval invoices
QQ Catalyst is a cloud-based shop management software tailored for automotive repair shops, offering robust invoicing capabilities alongside scheduling, inventory tracking, and customer management. It enables seamless creation of detailed repair invoices with parts, labor, and diagnostics, integrated with digital vehicle inspections for faster approvals. The platform supports payments processing and reporting to help shops manage finances efficiently. Ideal for streamlining operations in fast-paced auto service environments.
Pros
- Powerful digital inspection tools with photo/video integration for quick invoicing approvals
- Comprehensive automotive-specific invoicing with parts matrix and labor rate management
- Mobile app access for on-the-go invoicing and shop floor efficiency
Cons
- Higher pricing tier compared to basic invoicing alternatives
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting and customizations
- Limited third-party integrations beyond core automotive suppliers
Best For
Small to mid-sized auto repair shops needing an all-in-one invoicing and management solution with strong digital inspection features.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $199/month for basic single-location setup, scaling to $500+/month for multi-user/multi-shop plans with all features.
ARI
enterpriseDealer management system with invoicing, parts sales, and service processing for automotive retailers.
ARI's proprietary network of 50,000+ maintenance providers enabling automated, location-based invoicing without manual vendor management
ARI (arinet.com) is a comprehensive fleet management platform with robust automotive invoicing capabilities designed for commercial fleets and dealerships. It automates billing for vehicle maintenance, repairs, parts, and fuel through integration with a vast network of service providers. The software offers detailed reporting, cost analysis, and approval workflows to streamline invoicing and control expenses. Ideal for organizations managing large vehicle fleets, it emphasizes scalability and service network access.
Pros
- Extensive network of over 50,000 service locations for efficient invoicing
- Advanced reporting and analytics for cost tracking and fleet optimization
- Seamless integration with ERP systems and automotive service providers
Cons
- Outdated user interface that feels clunky compared to modern SaaS tools
- Custom pricing can be expensive for smaller fleets
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
Best For
Large commercial fleets and automotive dealerships requiring integrated invoicing with a nationwide service network.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on fleet size; typically starts at $10-20 per vehicle per month with volume discounts.
Conclusion
With a diverse range of tools, Shopmonkey emerges as the top choice, thanks to its all-in-one suite that integrates invoicing, payments, and customer communication seamlessly. Tekmetric and AutoLeap, ranking second and third, are strong alternatives—Tekmetric excels in streamlined workflows and real-time reporting, while AutoLeap impresses with cloud-based versatility and multi-location management. Ultimately, the best solution varies by needs, but Shopmonkey leads as a powerful, all-rounded option.
Don’t miss out on Shopmonkey’s transformative capabilities—try it today to optimize your invoicing, boost efficiency, and strengthen customer relationships.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
