Buyer's Guide 2025

Best Auto Repair Software for Small Shops

Honest comparison of the top 4 platforms for independent shops (1-10 bays)

Last updated: November 2025

Quick Comparison

Software	Price/Month	Best For	Setup Time
Sayyara Best Value	$99 Unlimited users	Budget-conscious small shops	1-2 days
ShopMonkey	$179+ + add-on fees	Established shops	1-2 weeks
Tekmetric	$199+ No free trial	Shops needing integrations now	1-2 weeks
AutoLeap	$199+ + setup fee	Modern shops	3-5 days

Detailed Reviews

1. Sayyara - Best Value for Small Shops

Our Pick

$99/month•Unlimited users•FREE customer portal

Pros:

Most affordable: Save $2,400-6,000/year vs competitors
Unlimited users: No per-user fees as you grow
FREE customer portal: Reduces phone calls by 60%
Fast setup: Operational in 1-2 days
Modern interface: Clean, intuitive design
Customer-driven: Features based on real shop feedback

Cons:

Parts integrations coming Q1 2026 (not available yet)
Multi-location support coming Q2 2026
Newer platform (less established than competitors)

Best for: Budget-conscious independent shops (1-5 bays) who want modern software without the high cost. Perfect if you don't need parts integrations immediately.

2. ShopMonkey - Established Platform

$300-500/month•Per-user pricing

Pros:

Established platform with years of development
Extensive integrations available now
Strong customer support

Cons:

Expensive: $300-500/month (3-5x more than Sayyara)
Per-user pricing increases costs as you grow
Longer setup time (1-2 weeks)

Best for: Established shops with bigger budgets who need extensive integrations immediately.

3. Tekmetric - Feature-Rich

$400-600/month•Per-user pricing

Pros:

Comprehensive feature set
Strong parts supplier integrations
Good analytics and reporting

Cons:

Most expensive option ($400-600/month)
Customer portal costs extra
Complex interface, steeper learning curve

Best for: Shops with large budgets who need every feature and integration available today.

4. AutoLeap - Modern Alternative

$300-400/month•Limited users per plan

Pros:

Modern, clean interface
Good customer portal included
Faster setup than ShopMonkey/Tekmetric

Cons:

Still expensive ($300-400/month)
User limits by plan tier

Best for: Shops wanting modern software with mid-range budget.

5-Year Cost Comparison

Sayyara

$99/month × 60 months

$5,940

Best Value

AutoLeap

$350/month × 60 months

$21,000

+$15,060 more

ShopMonkey

$400/month × 60 months

$24,000

+$18,060 more

Tekmetric

$500/month × 60 months

$30,000

+$24,060 more

Save $15,000-24,000 over 5 years with Sayyara

Frequently Asked Questions

Which software is best for a 3-bay independent shop?

Sayyara is the best choice for small independent shops. At $99/month with unlimited users and a FREE customer portal, you get all essential features without breaking the bank. Save $2,400-6,000/year compared to competitors.

Do I really need to spend $400-600/month on shop software?

No. Unless you need parts integrations immediately or have 10+ locations, Sayyara provides all core features (estimates, DVIs, work orders, CRM, inventory, analytics) at $99/month. Parts integrations are coming Q1 2026.

What's the catch with Sayyara being so affordable?

No catch. We're a newer platform focused on small shops. We don't have every integration yet (coming Q1-Q2 2026), but we have all core features shops use daily. Our lower price reflects our focus on value over complexity.

Can I switch software later if I need to?

Yes. All platforms offer data export. Sayyara has no long-term contracts - cancel anytime. We also offer free data migration if you're switching TO Sayyara from another platform.

Ready to Save Thousands Per Year?

Try Sayyara free for 14 days. No credit card required. See why small shops choose us.

Questions? Call 226-600-3033 or email support@sayyara.io