The Ultimate Guide to Garage Shop Management Software for Auto Repair Shops

Trying to manage your auto repair shop with just a notepad?

Frequent phone calls, handwritten invoices, missed appointments, and whatnot. That’s too much to handle with a notepad.

This is why, it’s time to trade this chaos for control!

How?

That’s where garage shop management software comes in!

No matter if you are a one-man operation of a multi-location business, software is a solution to all the chaos currently happening in the shop!

So, let’s break down the top 5 software solutions that can alter the way your shop operates.

Top 5 Garage Shop Management Software

1. Torque360

2. AutoLeap

3. Shopmonkey

4. Auto Repair Software by ARI

5. Protractor

1. Torque360

Torque360 was designed keeping different repair industries in mind. The purpose of this software is to help manage daily operations in a repair shop. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and integrations for scheduling, invoicing, digital vehicle inspection, estimating, and more, into one platform.

Features

Let’s have a look at the features Torque360 offers:

Inventory Management – Track parts, supplies, and purchases in real time.
Maintenance Scheduling – Automatically remind customers about regular vehicle maintenance.
Customer Management – Maintain detailed records of customer history and service preferences.
Employee Management – Track employee hours and performance.
Financial Reporting – Generate reports for revenue, expenses, and profitability.

Pros

Easy-to-use interface.
Great for tire and auto repair shops.
Strong customer support.

Cons

Lacks advanced reporting features.
Can be a bit expensive for smaller shops.
Some users report issues with mobile access.

2. AutoLeap

AutoLeap is a modern, cloud-based solution designed to streamline auto repair shop operations. It automates key tasks like appointment scheduling, vehicle inspections, inventory management, accounting, and more to help shop owners improve efficiency and focus on growth. AutoLeap empowers shops to track performance, manage resources, and keep customers informed from any device. AutoLeap is not very old but has quickly built a good reputation in the auto repair market. It helps in enhancing efficiency with a focus on automating the processes in the repair shop.

Features

Here are the features of AutoLeap that can help manage your shop:

Appointment Scheduling – Simplified scheduling and reminders for customers.
Inventory & Parts Management – Track parts and supplies automatically.
Customer Communication – Send reminders, updates, and invoices to customers via email or text.
Shop Analytics – Access detailed reports on shop performance, revenue, and technician productivity.
Mobile Access – Manage your shop operations from any device, on the go.

Pros

Easy to use with great customer support.
Mobile-friendly, allowing for flexible management.
Automates many time-consuming tasks.

Cons

Limited customization options.
Some features may require additional training to be fully leveraged.
Relatively new, so there are occasional feature gaps.

3. Shopmonkey

Shopmonkey was launched in 2016. It rapidly gained popularity in the auto repair industry. It is a cloud-based software designed to help different operations in a busy repair shop like invoicing, customer communication, scheduling, and more.

Features

The following are the key features of Shopmonkey:

Appointment Scheduling – Manage appointments and view shop availability easily.
Invoicing and Payments – Generate invoices, accept payments, and track transactions.
Parts Ordering – Order parts directly from the system for easy tracking.
Customer Management – Organize customer data and service history for better follow-up.
Shop Performance Reports – Generate custom reports to track business growth.

Pros

Simple, user-friendly interface.
Cloud-based, accessible from anywhere.
Excellent customer support.

Cons

Some advanced features require higher-tier plans.
Limited integrations with third-party tools.
Can be pricey for small shops.

4. Auto Repair Software by ARI

Auto repair software by ARI was founded in 1981. It is designed for auto repair shops, car dealerships, and fleet management companies. This software has a well-established name in the repair industry. It helps with several operations like managing service orders, inventory, billing, and more.

Features

Let’s have a look at what auto repair software by ARI offers:

Repair Order Management – Track repair orders and their progress.
Customer History Tracking – Maintain detailed records for each customer and vehicle.
Parts Inventory – Keep track of parts availability and ordering.
Fleet Management – Manage fleets of vehicles, track maintenance, and service history.
Service Estimates – Provide customers with accurate service estimates and quotes.

Pros

Great for managing large fleets.
Extensive service history tracking.
Strong customer support and training.

Cons

The interface can be complex for new users.
Expensive for smaller shops.
Lacks some modern, cloud-based features.

5. Protractor

Protractor has been in the auto repair market since 1987. It specializes in auto repair shop management and helps with different tasks like repair tracking, invoice generation, customer service tools, and more. It is usually suitable for both small and large repair businesses.

Features

Here are the key features of Protractor:

Repair Order Management – Track customer repairs from start to finish.
Parts Ordering – Automatically reorder parts as needed for upcoming jobs.
Invoicing & Billing – Generate detailed invoices for customers, including parts and labor.
Customer Communication – Keep customers informed with automated reminders and updates.
Employee Management – Track technician hours and performance for better payroll management.

Pros

Reliable solution for auto repair shops.
Long-standing reputation in the industry.
Good for both small and large shops.

Cons

User interface can feel outdated.
Limited cloud features compared to newer platforms.
Can be difficult to learn for new users.

Why Go for Shop Management Software?

Now that you have read about the top 5 shop management software for auto repair shops, you may be a bit confused about why you should get a software solution when you can handle these tasks manually somehow.

Let’s get into details on how the software can help you manage your shop way better than manual or traditional methods.

I. Organized Operations

The software helps in centralizing all the aspects of a repair shop in one place. This allows you to view everything on the screen instead of moving from one area to another in the shop to see how things are working. The software automates all the tasks and works in synchronization.

II. Improves Customer Service

Another benefit of using shop management software is to offer the best customer service. You can also use the software to run different campaigns for promotions, follow-ups on services, appointment reminders, next service or maintenance reminders, and more. This shows personalization and customers appreciate it.

III. Financial Management

Finances are important in a repair shop. You need to keep a check on how much you are spending and how much you are saving. However, calculating finances manually can be tiring and there are high chances of human errors. The software offers integration that can automatically do all the calculations for you without making any mistakes.

IV. Full Control of Inventory

Inventory is the most necessary aspect of any repair shop. Without proper parts and supplies, your mechanics won’t be able to fix vehicles. Managing an inventory also requires accuracy to keep a check on stock levels. With software, all of this is done automatically. Moreover, the software also reminds you if the stock levels are decreasing, shows real-time pricing, and more.

V. Tracking of Employee Productivity

Without any software, it is really difficult to track which technician is working and who is sitting idle. Also, which technician has more work, and which one is underutilized? However, with software, you can view the availability of mechanics, those whose work is in progress, how many tasks are assigned to each employee, etc.