ARI vs SAM

Shopmonkey

Manager SE

Workshop Software

Mitchell RepairCenter

AutoSoftWay

AB Magique

Compare ARI and SAM based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Shopmonkey is a cloud-based auto repair solution designed to help businesses manage processes through appointment scheduling, messaging, reporting, and digital vehicle inspection tools. It lets users track inventory, update order statuses, and reach out to vendors for purchasing missing auto parts.

Manager SE is a cloud-based auto-shop management software that streamlines workflow, provides detailed insights through integrated reporting, and offers contactless payment options to optimize the customer experience.

Mitchell RepairCenter is a web-based shop management software designed to help businesses in the automotive industry streamline repair processes and improve customer experience. It lets collision repair facilities create collision estimates and manage repair scheduling and claims. 


ARI is a cloud-based auto repair software designed to help independent mechanics, mobile technicians, car dealers, and repair shops manage vehicle inspections, spare part inventories, client communications, VIN decoding and license plate recognition, and more.

Accounting

Activity Dashboard

Alerts/Notifications

Appointment Management

Appointment Scheduling

Billing & Invoicing

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Contact Database

Cost Tracking

Customer Database

Customer History

Customizable Reports

Data Import/Export

Document Management

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Employee Scheduling

Employee Time Clock

Estimating

Gift Card Management

Inspection Management

Inventory Control

Inventory Management

Invoice Management

Job Costing

Job Tracking

Labor Cost Reporting

Labor Rates

Maintenance Scheduling

Marketing Management

Multi-Location

Order Management

Parts Management

Payroll Management

Performance Metrics

Point of Sale (POS)

Prioritization

Progress Tracking

Purchase Order Management

QuickBooks Integration

Quotes/Estimates

Records Management

Reminders

Repair Tracking

Reporting & Statistics

Scheduling

Service History

SMS Messaging

Third-Party Integrations

Time Tracking

Transaction History

User Management

Vehicle Information

Vehicle Tracking

VIN Decoder

VIN Lookup

Work Order Management

Workflow Management

Android

Web-based

Windows

iPad

iPhone

Diesel Mechanic

From customer service to product to updates that seem to be constantly moving toward better and better, this program is amazing.

Information Technology Consultant

The customer support is the best in helping and fulfilling our organization request and needs. Managing our invoice has been better with this software.

Owner

I have never had an issue with their program, when I need it, it works. I love it for the price point and simplicity, it is perfect for me.

owner

I love the layout and ease of use/user friendliness of the software. I can conveniently find everything I need all within a few clicks of a mouse.

I feel like everything about the software was user friendly. It felt like I literally just knew what I was doing and it was only my first time using it.

What I have found with this product is that it is very useful for the type of work that I am doing. It is also very affordable, mobile and integrates well with my company.

Tech

It is very simple and user friendly website, it gives you plenty of the software to choose from and plenty of different pricing. It has a good layout and everything that you need.

CEO 

I can do evening in one place with good success everytime.

Issues with pc use(I have not tried new windows app yet), printer problems, occasional bugs and syncing problems across devices.

Drywall

It isn't hard to understand and if you need help someone is always ready to help you out with anything at all plus you get to find out just how easy it really is.

Not only did I get a response but got a solution with in a 24hr period. They were courteous and helped me to get back up & running.

The integration with OBDII scanners and Intuit are great. The software allows streamlining of many aspects from quotes and invoicing to inspection reports.

Frustrating the way I had to put in some info,  and couldn't go back and edit changes without starting over again.

They price is the biggest selling point. Good value for your money.

Easy to use, overall great software anyone can use.

Managing Member

There are several reports however there is no single report that will give you all of this at a glance.

Works on my mobile phone and computer with ease. Works with QuickBooks for accounting.

Auto Mechanic 

That it's very difficult to find an ODM2 adapter compatible with software.

ARI screenshot: ARI preview on different devices

ARI screenshot: ARI estimates and invoices

ARI screenshot: ARI accounting features

ARI screenshot: ARI vehicle information on an iPad

ARI screenshot: ARI client information

ARI screenshot: ARI manage accounts

ARI screenshot: ARI create a new job card

ARI screenshot: ARI vehicle inspections

ARI screenshot: ARI create stimates 

ARI screenshot: ARI client tax report

ARI screenshot: ARI tires

ARI screenshot: ARI maintenance 

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Small Business

Workshop Software is an auto shop management software that automates service reminders, bookings, and digital inspections to enhance customer experience and drive repeat business.

AutoSoftWay is a comprehensive cloud-based auto repair software built to streamline operations for independent mechanics, auto body shops, car dealerships, and mobile technicians. With AutoSoftWay, you can efficiently manage vehicle inspections, parts inventory, client communication, and billing.


AB Magique is a comprehensive shop management software that has been in development for over 12,000 hours. It offers a modern and intuitive interface with features like appointment management, counter sales, inventory management, and detailed reporting. AB Magique integrates with major parts distributors, allowing users to view catalogs and place orders directly within the software.

Manage your workshop more easily, faster and with more profit with SAM's workshop software.

Our WMS handles the whole job, from booking in a customer, managing their job in paperless job cards, emailing out invoices, right through to sending text message reminders to get them back in.

Director

Love the ease we can manage our margins on each job, making us more profitable. We consider SAM one of our best tools we've invested in for our workshop.

Office Manager

My overall experience has been wonderful. Helpful and knowledgeable staff and always very friendly.

Administrator

I like the ease of use, and that Sam is linked in to NZTA - giving me all the details I need at once. I find it useful that Sam is displayed on all of our computers throughout the workshop.

Workshop Administration

Great to have accounting, vehicle records and stock levels in the same programme. Good that it ties into the office who use Xero only.

Office admin

Additionally the UI is very dated and basic (although the software is not targeted towards an industry that worries much about UI).

Sam has provided us with a workshop tool that has been easy for everyone to use. The best adaption for us has been the integration with Xero for an accounting package.

The app has been useful in my workshop management like managing customers invoices stock management and financial manager.

Service Manger

That it is difficult to  change an invoice once it has been invoiced off. Changing the technician's clocked times can waste time you don't have when a customer is waiting at the counter.

We also utilize vehicle notes and our customers LOVE that when they come in/ring, we can pull the information up quickly and let them know what we noted would need attention at their next booking.

Director/Office Manager

We do find that SAM support can be hard to get hold of sometimes, you can't get straight through to talk to someone anymore and this can be frustrating waiting for a phone call back.

SAM understands how workshops work and how they flow - the system is built around giving us the features we need to do a good job for our customers.

You don't need to know alot about computers to be able to carry out basic daily functions. I also like  the integration in the software between customer, their vehicle, and their invoices.

We consider the benefits SAM offer far outweigh the cost.

Manger/owner

Was advised we were not able to have the SMS service without having the mthly subscription, even though we pay for the SMS service.

ARI vs SAM Comparison (2026)

ARI

SAM

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives