Looking for the best accounting software for mechanics? Read our guide for the top recommendations.
Mechanics with auto repair shops need to use the right software when it comes to monitoring work hours and the cost of repairs. Using the right software makes collections, billings and forecasting a breeze to allow you to focus on the company instead of the software. The functionality is usually built in some of the best apps. When looking for the best accounting software for auto repair shops, it’s always advisable to study different accounting software features for mechanics before settling.
The best accounting software for auto repair shops always comes in handy as it helps you determine the types of jobs that are profitable. It’s also ideal when it comes to accounting for different repairing parts, billing complete jobs and keeping track of time. You are at the right place if you are looking to understand the importance of using an accounting software in your everyday dealings. The best thing about accounting software is that it helps you focus on other things and experience efficiency at its best simultaneously.
Best Accounting Software for Mechanics – Rankings
- Auto Repair Invoice (ARI) – It’s compatible with all devices
- Auto Repair Cloud – Best suited for smaller auto repair shops
- Auto Fluent – Best suited for both multi and single store dealing with auto spare parts
- Shop Ware – Best suited for all types of businesses since it helps save time
- Auto Shop – Best suited for heavy truck and custom repair shops
- Entirely – Ideal when it comes to taking records especially when the owner is not around
- Kukui – Ideal for small businesses as it helps create a social media presence
- Real Time Labor Guide – It helps large and small businesses alike when it comes to managing customer charges
1. Auto Repair Invoice (ARI)
Since Auto Repair Invoice is compatible will all devices, car dealers, individual mechanics and vehicle repair stores stand to benefit the most. It features a smartphone app for android and IOS devices with a web version that you can access from a laptop or desktop.
Pricing
Auto Repair Invoice offers three different plans including:
- A free trial
- $99.99 yearly payment
- $19.99 monthly payment
- $350 if you decide to pay the whole amount at once
Paying the whole amount once is a great offer. Besides, it saves you the hassle of renewing every month. However, you are not limited to this offer as you can make a decision based on the state of your pockets and how much you are willing to cough.
Auto Repair Invoice Features
- Accounting
- Vehicle lookup
- An inventory of spare parts
- History reports for service and automatic reminders for customers when the vehicle is due for service
- A license plate scanner
- Diagnosis like online appointments, vehicle inspection, upcoming repairs, maintaining costs, damage reports and TSBs.
Why Buy Auto Repair Invoice
Auto Repair Invoice has exemplary features that’s why it comes highly recommended. It’s not only advantageous to car owners but also mechanics and this is evident from the feature that shows it’s a detector software. It’s also worth a try when we factor in pricing. If you are still in doubt, check the customer reviews.
2. Auto Repair Cloud
Just like the name suggests, Auto Repair Cloud is a cloud-based management program for an auto shop, repair and service shops. You can access it on through the internet on your smartphone, desktop or laptop. You can look up a number of things including OEM technical service records, printing invoices, creating repair orders and conducting digital inspections. Shop owners can also track the vehicles in the store using their smartphone.
Pricing
- $34.55 mini subscription for one user
- $49.99 standard subscription for four users. An additional $5 will charged per month for every extra user
- $59.99 advanced subscription for four users with an additional $5 every month for every extra user
- $74.99 full subscription for four users with an additional $5 every month for every extra user
The full subscription comes highly recommended for those looking for the best accounting software for their auto repair shops. This is because you can share the whole amount equally with other auto repair shop dealers. However, you need to choose a package that you are most comfortable with as it’s a matter of personal preference and don’t just settle for the full paid subscription.
Features
- Appointment scheduling
- Easy customer support and vehicle management
- Inspection reports, templates, invoices and estimates
- A mobile app that you can share with your customers the workflow
- You don’t need to install a software since it’s a cloud-based solution
- Credit card readers for clover, PayPal and square
Why You Need Auto Repair Cloud
Mechanics can easily navigate using Auto Repair Cloud since it’s a handy tool. It’s purely online so you don’t have to worry about installation. This makes it one of the best accounting software for auto repair shops. It’s best suited for both medium and large scale businesses as it creates a hassle-free business environment with everything running smoothly.
3. Auto Fluent
Auto Fluent is typically an on-premise management application for auto repair shops specially designed for multi and single store vendors selling tires, parts and other types of auto services. You can handle your clients, sales, inventory, staff and vendors using it. The app works for a windows operating system.
Auto Fluent sales management helps different auto repair shops to manage status reporting, job orders and communication.
Pricing
- There’s a free trial
- There’s a pricing model subscription
- The price ranges from $95 per month including training and support
Auto Fluent only offers a monthly-based subscription. You can start out with the free trial if you are looking to test the waters before investing your $95 on this software application and subscribe afterwards.
Features
- Invoicing and accounting
- Customer tracking
- CRM check printing customer management and checkbook manager
- Accounting integration filtering
- Automatic email marketing
- Customer history and activity reporting
- Inventory management including labor scheduling and rates
- Sales entries with different locations parts management
Why You Need Auto Fluent
Auto Fluent is one of the best accounting software for auto repair shops since it helps facilitate sales, inventory, suppliers, employees and customers from the same location. It comes with a customer tracking feature that is quite handy when looking for customers by simply searching addresses, names, swiping cards or invoice numbers. Those using the software can make payments and even view the history of the customer anywhere.
4. Shop Ware
Shop Ware is a cloud-based accounting software. Since it runs in the cloud, you neither need a phone nor paper. Shop Ware lets you use the shortest time possible to complete each task. You can do a number of things with this cloud-based software including live chatting, digital customer approvals, vehicle inspections, expeditor dispatch, monitoring live status, automatic parts allocation, actual auto repair shop workflow among others.
Pricing
- Free Trial
- One time payment of $2495.00
- The pricing model is per user
It’s advisable to start out with free trial before subscribing. You can also go through the reviews to find out what other users are saying about the application. For it to feature on this list means that this accounting software for auto repair shops is worth a try.
Features
- SEO management and templates
- CRM
- Multi-channel and multi-marketing stores
- Inventory management and kitting
- Email marketing and data security
- Returns, reviews and promotion management
Shop Ware is the best accounting software for auto repair shops for store owners that are not working on a budget. You’ll be surprised at how much you can achieve with this software. Besides, you cannot overlook the work of this accounting software as it helps maximize the length of your entire auto repair shop.
5. Auto Shop
Auto shop is an auto repair management solution supporting medium and small scale businesses in the automotive industry. Auto shop is best suited for tire shops, custom car builders, car repair shops, machinery repair and heavy truck shops among others. Some of the core features of this application include drag and drop scheduling, job order management, accounting, service history tracking and customer vehicle monitoring.
Pricing
- Free Trial
- Free Version
- The vendor didn’t provide the starting price
You can start out with the free trial or free version since the starting price is not provided and might just pop when you use it. This way, you’ll know how the accounting software works before you decide to invest. Mechanics in heavy truck shops and car building looking to make the working process stress-free and taking their shop to the next level should try out this accounting software application.
Features
- Inventory management
- Maintenance scheduling
- Accounting
- VIN lookup
- Labor rates
- Customer database, CRM
- Data export and import
- Service history
- Accounting integration
- Work order management
- QuickBooks integration
- Historical reporting electronic payments
- Customer history
- Invoicing and billing, notifications and alerts
Why You Need Auto Shop
Auto shop is best suited for heavy truck shops and car builders since it has many unique features that are quite handy when it comes to managing an auto repair shop. What’s more, it allows you to focus on other things since the work flow at your shop will be running smoothly.
6. FullBay
FullBay is also a cloud-based management application solution ideal for heavy-duty auto repair shops as it helps control and support their operations. Managers, technicians and clients can use this accounting software as it helps ensure they are fully involved in the entire repair process even without being physically present at the store.
FullBay, through the branded portal allows customers to send maintenance and repair requests, authorize work, settle any invoice payments and display the vehicle’s maintenance history.
Pricing
- Free trials are not available
- There’s no free version
- The vendor didn’t provide the price range
- You need to check their website for the prices. Their website is www.fullbay.com and they are found in the United States of America.
Features
- Inventory control
- Tracking cost
- Asset tracking
- Components tracking
- Accounting
- Invoicing and billing
- Equipment tracking
- Customer database
- Inspection management and cost tracking
Why You Need FullBay
FullBay has a lot to offer when it comes to auto repair shops basing on the unique features. Research about the company by checking the reviews on their website before investing in this cloud-based software application for auto repair shops.
7. Kukui
Kukui is an all-in-one cloud-based success platform best suited for small auto repair shops as it helps increase the business’s visibility in major promotional platforms and search engines. The app’s marketing tools, analytics, and consumer engagements usually enables users to broaden their scope of work. It also helps them venture into the industrial territory with ease.
Kukui helps ensure complete and honest accountability during the repair process as it provides reports on all vehicle repairs.
Pricing
- There’s no free version
- Free trial is not available
- The vendor did not provide the price range of this accounting software
Features
- Vehicle tracking
- Customer database
- CRM
- Service history
- Maintenance schedule
- Work order management
- VIN lookup
- Estimates and quotes scheduling
- VIN decoder
Why You Need Kukui
Even though the vendor doesn’t provide the price range, this app is worth investing in owing to the unique features and what it can achieve. You can check out their website www.Kukui.com and use the demo account first before subscribing.
8. Real Time Labor Guide
Real Time Labor Guide is one of the best accounting software for auto repair shops on the market. It runs entirely on the clouds. This cloud-based application solution helps both large and small businesses to manage different customer charges, personnel and technician tracking. It allows users to comfortably handle the entire operations of the store including miscellaneous costs, packaging work, labor guides, advanced reporting, QuickVINN decoding and unlimited tickets among others.
Pricing
- No free version
- There’s a 21-day free trial
- Price ranges from $12.50 per month per user
If you are working on a budget and are looking for the best accounting software for auto repair shop, then Real Time Labor Guide is your best bet. Also, check out the reviews of those who have already used the app for insights before subscribing.
Features
- Work order management
- Service history
- Invoicing and billing
- VIN lookup
- CRM labor rates
Why You Need Real Time Labor Guide
This software application works well for both small- and large-scale businesses since it offers miscellaneous charges, packaging jobs, double labor rates and unlimited tickets.
Conclusion
The best accounting software for auto repair shops gives both the business owners and their clients satisfaction. The software helps eliminate false accounting and diagnosis rate since it’s intended for this purpose. It also keeps an eye on due dates when it comes to vehicle service among other considerations to reduce accidents. The shop’s cash inflow will also be sustained thanks to the software.
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