ARI
ARI is a specialized auto repair software designed to help independent mechanics and garage owners manage invoices, track vehicle history, and streamline daily shop operations from any device.
Tekmetric
Tekmetric is a cloud-based shop management system designed to help auto repair shop owners streamline their entire workflow from digital inspections to integrated payments and customer communications.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ARI | Tekmetric |
|---|---|---|
| Website | ari.app | tekmetric.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2016 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Craiova, Romania | Houston, USA |
Overview
ARI
ARI (Auto Repair Software) is a mobile-first solution built specifically for independent mechanics and auto shop owners who need to move away from paper-based systems. You can manage your entire garage from a smartphone or tablet, allowing you to create professional invoices, perform digital vehicle inspections, and track maintenance history while standing right next to the vehicle.
The platform solves the common headache of manual data entry by offering VIN decoding and license plate recognition. You can also manage your spare parts inventory, schedule customer appointments, and send automated service reminders. Whether you run a mobile repair service or a multi-bay physical shop, it provides the tools you need to professionalize your customer interactions and keep your service records organized in one secure location.
Tekmetric
Tekmetric is a comprehensive shop management system built to help you run your auto repair business more efficiently from any device. You can manage the entire repair lifecycle—from the moment a customer books an appointment to the final digital payment—within a single, intuitive interface. By moving your shop to the cloud, you eliminate the need for local servers and gain the freedom to monitor your business performance in real-time whether you are at the shop or at home.
The platform focuses on transparency and speed, allowing you to build trust with your customers through detailed digital vehicle inspections and instant text-to-pay options. You can easily track parts inventory, manage technician productivity, and analyze financial reports to identify growth opportunities. It is designed specifically for independent auto repair shops and multi-location enterprises looking to modernize their operations and improve the overall customer experience.
Overview
ARI Features
- VIN Decoding Scan a vehicle's VIN or license plate to instantly pull accurate make, model, and engine specifications into your records.
- Digital Inspections Complete digital inspection checklists on your tablet and share professional reports directly with your clients via email or SMS.
- Inventory Management Track your spare parts stock levels in real-time and receive automatic alerts when it is time to reorder essential items.
- Service Reminders Keep your bays full by sending automated maintenance reminders to your customers based on their specific vehicle history.
- Mobile Invoicing Generate professional invoices on the spot and accept credit card payments through integrated processors like Stripe or PayPal.
- Vehicle History Access a complete timeline of every repair and part replacement for any vehicle that has ever entered your shop.
Tekmetric Features
- Digital Vehicle Inspections. Create professional inspection reports with photos and videos that you can text directly to customers for instant approval.
- Smart Estimating. Build accurate repair orders in seconds by pulling labor times and parts pricing directly into your estimates.
- Tekmessage. Communicate with your customers in real-time through built-in two-way texting to share updates and get quick authorizations.
- Real-Time Reports. Monitor your shop's gross profit, average repair order value, and technician efficiency with live data dashboards.
- Integrated Payments. Collect payments faster by sending secure text-to-pay links that allow your customers to pay from their smartphones.
- Parts Procurement. Order parts from your preferred vendors without leaving the platform to keep your bays moving and reduce downtime.
Pricing Comparison
ARI Pricing
- Limited to 10 clients
- Limited to 10 vehicles
- Basic invoicing
- Mobile app access
- Digital inspections
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited clients and vehicles
- Unlimited invoices
- Advanced VIN decoding
- Inventory management
- Priority technical support
Tekmetric Pricing
- Digital Repair Orders
- Customer Profiles
- Appointment Scheduling
- Basic Reporting
- Integrated Payments
- Two-Way Texting
- Everything in Start, plus:
- Digital Vehicle Inspections
- Advanced Reporting
- Inventory Management
- Technician App Access
- Labor Guide Integration
Pros & Cons
ARI
Pros
- Mobile-first design works perfectly on tablets
- VIN scanner saves significant data entry time
- Affordable pricing compared to enterprise shop systems
- Frequent updates and responsive customer support
Cons
- Desktop version feels less polished than mobile
- Learning curve for setting up custom templates
- Limited advanced accounting integrations
Tekmetric
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes training new service advisors fast
- Digital inspections significantly increase average repair order value
- Cloud-based access allows you to manage shops remotely
- Frequent software updates based on direct user feedback
- Seamless integration with major parts ordering platforms
Cons
- Initial data migration from legacy systems can be complex
- Higher price point compared to basic desktop-based alternatives
- Requires a stable internet connection for all shop operations