Running a modern shop means juggling repair orders, parts, tech hours, invoices, DVIs, and customer updates—often across multiple screens and teams. The right auto repair management software turns that chaos into a clean, trackable workflow that boosts ARO, technician utilization, and customer trust. This guide explains what to look for, how the leading tools compare, and why many shops are choosing Garage360—built by the TechRoute66 team with a diagnostics-first mindset.
TL;DR: If you want fast setup, dealer-level workflows, integrated parts, and crystal-clear invoicing—try Garage360.
What is auto repair management software?
Auto repair (shop) management software is an all-in-one system that centralizes estimating, RO creation, DVIs, scheduling, parts sourcing, payments, inventory, and reporting—so owners can see the whole shop at a glance and make decisions fast. In short: fewer mistakes, faster approvals, higher throughput, and happier customers.
Core features checklist (use this to evaluate any tool)
- Repair Orders (ROs) & Estimates: Create, approve, convert, and track in minutes.
- Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs): Photos/video notes increase transparency and approvals.
- Scheduling & Capacity: Balance bays and tech hours with drag-and-drop simplicity.
- Parts & Inventory: Vendor integrations, stock levels, cost/markup rules, cores management.
- Integrated Payments & Accounting: Take card-on-file, sync with accounting (e.g., QBO).
- Customer Comms: Text/email reminders, approvals, and review automations.
- Reporting: Profitability, technician efficiency, ARO, CSI, and more.
Why many shops switch software in 2025
- Paper/Spreadsheet sprawl → no audit trail, lost margin
- Unclear parts margin → leakage at scale
- Low DVI adoption → low trust, low approvals
- Scheduling chaos → idle bays or oversold tech hours
- Weak reporting → blind spots in profit per job/tech
- Integration gaps → double-entry between POS, inventory, and accounting
If any of that sounds familiar, it’s time to evaluate your stack.
Garage360: a diagnostics-first approach to shop management
Garage360 is built by TechRoute66, a team that lives and breathes OEM-level tools and workshop operations. The result is a platform designed around real dealer-grade workflows—from RO to DVI to invoice—with clean UX, fast onboarding, and fewer clicks per task.
Highlights:
- Lightning-fast RO to invoice with canned jobs, labor matrices, and line-item control
- Technician-friendly DVIs that customers love (photos/video + one-tap approvals)
- Parts & inventory that just work—with clear cost, markup, and purchase flow
- Accounting-ready exports & payment links to reduce reconciliation time
- Multi-location ready with role-based access and usage-based visibility
- Remote setup by pros (TechRoute66 engineers) for day-one productivity
👉 See it in action: Book a Garage360 demo
Quick comparison: Garage360 vs Tekmetric, AutoLeap, Shopmonkey
The snapshot below uses publicly available info as of September 2025. Always confirm latest details with each vendor.
| Capability | Garage360 | Tekmetric | AutoLeap | Shopmonkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVIs with photos/video | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling & capacity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Parts/inventory workflows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payments & QBO-style sync | Yes | Available | Available | Available |
| Reviews/Comms automations | Yes | Available | Available | Available |
| Typical entry pricing | From $79/mo | 3rd-party listings show plans starting ~$179–$199 | From $179/mo | From $179/mo |
| Multi-shop support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Insights | Available | No | No | No |
Sources: AutoLeap pricing page and marketplaces list entry plans at $179/mo; Shopmonkey lists $179/mo entry plan; Tekmetric public pricing is commonly listed by third-party directories around $179–$199+ (confirm with vendor).
Why shops pick Garage360: diagnostics-grade workflows, fast RO→invoice paths, transparent parts margining, and implementation help from the TechRoute66 team that’s set up thousands of OEM tools.
How to choose the best auto repair management software (5 steps)
- Define your day-one wins. (e.g., DVI adoption, ARO lift, fewer no-shows)
- Map your data migration. Customers, vehicles, ROs, parts—what comes over and how? AutoLeap, Shopmonkey, and others advertise migration support; ask for specifics and timelines.
- Insist on a live workflow demo. Watch RO → DVI → parts → invoice → payment.
- Check integrations. Accounting, parts networks, review tools, texting, payments.
- Pilot with real jobs. Run 10–20 real tickets before rolling out to every bay.
ROI math (simple way to sanity-check)
If DVIs + reminders reduce no-shows by just 2 jobs/week and increase average approval by $75/job, a 5-tech shop can add $600–$1,000+ monthly gross profit—often covering the software outright. (Your mileage will vary, but the direction is consistent across shops adopting DVIs and better reminders.)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best auto repair management software for small shops?
Look for speed (fewest clicks), DVIs customers understand, simple payments, and clean reporting. Garage360 is built to minimize admin time while maximizing approvals—great for owner-operator shops. Try Garage360.
How much does auto repair management software cost?
Entry plans from leading vendors are commonly listed starting around $179/month, with higher tiers adding features like advanced reporting, automations, and multi-shop controls. Confirm final pricing with each vendor.
Will it work on tablets or iPads?
Most modern platforms are browser-based and work across devices; confirm device limits and simultaneous logins with your vendor. (AutoLeap specifies one active device per login.)
The bottom line
If you’re evaluating auto repair management software in 2025, focus on fewer clicks, better DVIs, clean parts margining, and accounting that doesn’t create extra work. That’s exactly what Garage360 was built to do.
👉 Ready to streamline your shop? Book a Garage360 demo
