ARI vs Bay-Master

ARI is auto repair shop software for managing appointments, diagnostics, quotes, digital inspections, invoices, payments, and promotion. It is aimed at mobile mechanics, independent technicians, repair shops, auto dealers, and other auto care professionals. Shop tools include client and vehicle records, inventory, job cards, estimates, accounting, reminders, time tracking, and reporting. Customers can use a portal to follow repair progress, review and approve recommended work, book visits, and pay invoices through a link without downloading an app or signing up. Vehicle tools include VIN decoding, license plate reading, service history, and OBD scanning. Listed integrations include payment processors such as Square, 360Payments, PayPal, Stripe, and Helcim, plus PartsTech, M1, CarFax, CarMD, QuickBooks, and Wisetack. The free trial permits up to five items in categories including invoices, estimates, inspections, clients, and vehicles. Paid accounts have no monthly invoice limit and no limit on added users or devices. ARI Pro costs $399.99 a year, billed yearly at 33.33 USD monthly; a monthly option costs $39.99 a month.

Bay-Master is auto repair shop management software for customers, estimates, work orders, payments, inventory, parts ordering, scheduling, and reporting. Shops can schedule tickets, name bays, set committed times, and view schedules by day, week, or month. Digital inspection forms can be customized with notes and pictures on a tablet or smartphone, with estimates created from an inspection. Parts tools show supplier availability, compare prices, check shop inventory, and order vehicle-compatible parts from a ticket. Customer features include service history, financing, and text and email reminders for appointments, services due, recommendations, and inactive customers. Its QuickBooks interface can post sales and accounts receivable tickets, track postings, and update inventory from deliveries and sales. Other listed connections include Carfax, Worldpac, MOTOR, Wisetack, PartsTech, NAPA Auto Parts, and Nexpart. Bay-Master lists Workstation + Cloud access and platforms including Android, iOS, web, and Windows. Its packages are Essentials, Traditional, and High Performance; Traditional lists two technician tablet connections and High Performance lists five. Essentials is described as suitable for a small shop that needs to create an invoice. Prices are not displayed; visitors are directed to sales.