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Workshop Software vs GaragePlug
GaragePlug (sometimes written Garage Plug) is a well-reviewed platform built for multi-outlet chains and franchise networks. It has strong multi-outlet tools and puts WhatsApp at the center of customer messaging.
The differences that matter are pricing you can see before a sales call, how each connects to your accounting, labor times in the job card, and the length of the free trial. Here is how they compare.
What is Workshop Software?
Workshop Software is cloud-based management software for auto repair shops. It covers the booking diary, job cards, quoting and invoicing, stock control, electronic inspections, service reminders by SMS and email, and a customer portal. Workshop Intelligence reporting is included on Gold and Platinum.
We have decades of experience building software for workshops. Workshop Software is used in 33+ countries by more than 9,400 users, and has generated $4.7b in invoices. It connects to QuickBooks Online, Xero, Mitchell 1, PartsTech, Carfax and more, and Platinum includes an open API: the Workshop API and the Public Booking API. The free native app for iOS and Android runs the whole shop on Gold and above.
US pricing starts at USD $149 a month on annual billing, or $169 billed monthly. Every plan starts with a 14 day free trial, full features, no credit card and no lock-in contract. See full pricing
What is GaragePlug?
GaragePlug is a cloud workshop platform with offices in Newark, Delaware and Bengaluru, India. It says it works in 28 countries with 300+ brand clients, mainly chains, franchise networks, lube centers and tire shops. It covers job cards, digital and video inspections, inventory, multi-outlet reporting, a branded customer app and WhatsApp messaging. Pricing is not published. You book a call for a quote.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Workshop Software | GaragePlug |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing | Yes, on our website | No. Quote after a call |
| Accounting | QuickBooks Online (a listed app on the Intuit QuickBooks App Store) and Xero, every plan | No integrations listed on its website (integrations page returns a 404). Its Capterra profile lists QuickBooks Online Advanced and QuickBooks Desktop |
| Labor times in the job card | Mitchell 1 and PartsTech integrations, with MOTOR labor data through PartsTech. These carry their own subscription | Not published |
| Vehicle lookup | Carfax, every plan | VIN-based service history lookup (App Store release notes) |
| Electronic inspections | Yes, with photos and a link the customer opens to approve the work. Gold and above | Yes, including video inspections with AI guidance |
| Customer messaging | Two-Way SMS add-on, plus SMS and email reminders | SMS, email and WhatsApp |
| Mobile app | Free native iOS and Android app that runs the whole shop on Gold and above | Apps on the App Store and Google Play |
| Clocking on and off jobs | Yes, on mobile, desktop and web | Technician time clocking and efficiency tracking |
| Reporting | Workshop Intelligence (Pulse, Scoreboard, Advisor) on Gold and Platinum, plus the Mechanic Performance report and other mechanic reports | BI dashboards and a head-office panel |
| Online bookings | Public booking link (Gold), a WorkshopWeb website, WordPress plugin or API (Platinum) | Web booking and a branded customer app |
| Multi-site | Platinum, priced per site | Yes, with inter-branch stock transfers |
| Parts and tire integrations | PartsTech, Parts Authority, Tiremetrix, TireConnect | Not published |
| Extra users | USD $20 a month each | Not published |
| Free trial | 14 days, full features, no credit card | 7 days |
| Contract | No lock-in, cancel any time | Not published |
| Support | Phone, email and 24 hour online chat, plus onboarding | Onboarding, training and live support (hours not published) |
Pricing comparison
| Workshop Software | GaragePlug | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Silver, USD $149 a month annual or $169 monthly | Not published |
| Mid plan | Gold, USD $179 a month annual or $199 monthly | Not published |
| Top plan | Platinum, USD $249 a month annual or $299 monthly, per site | Not published |
| Figures on US App Store | Not applicable | In-app purchases: GEAR0 $199.99, GEAR1 $299.99, GEAR2 $399.99 a month, not explained |
| Extra users | USD $20 a month each | Not published |
| Free trial | 14 days | 7 days |
| Lock-in | None | Not published |
GaragePlug quotes each customer based on network size, location and the modules switched on. That suits a chain that wants a tailored package. It makes it hard for a single shop to compare costs before talking to sales.
The only GaragePlug prices we could find are three in-app purchase tiers on its US App Store listing. The listing does not say what each tier includes, so treat them as a rough guide, not a quote.
Prices are as at October 2026. Both companies change prices from time to time, so check before you commit.
Pricing you can see before you talk to anyone
Our three US plans and the extra-user price are on our website. You can work out your monthly cost in a few minutes.
GaragePlug asks you to book a call. If you like a guided sales process, that is fine. If you want to compare costs first, it adds a step.
How each connects to your books
Workshop Software connects to QuickBooks Online and Xero. We are a listed app on the Intuit QuickBooks App Store. Payments and supplier invoices sync to your accounting, and you can pull sales tax reporting out of the system.
GaragePlug’s website does not list any accounting integrations, and its integrations page returns a 404. Its Capterra profile lists QuickBooks Online Advanced and QuickBooks Desktop. Ask GaragePlug to show you the sync working with your own accounting file before you sign.
Labor times in the job card
Under-quoting labor quietly costs shops money. Workshop Software connects to Mitchell 1 and to PartsTech, where MOTOR labor data is available, so you can quote from published repair times. Mitchell 1 and PartsTech carry their own subscription.
GaragePlug does not publish a labor times or repair data product. Shops set their own times and canned jobs.
Trial length and onboarding
Our free trial runs 14 days with every feature on and no credit card. A full support team takes you through onboarding. Support is by phone, email and 24 hour online chat.
GaragePlug’s trial runs 7 days. Its packages include onboarding, training and live support, but it does not publish support hours.
Where GaragePlug is stronger
- Multi-outlet chains. Inter-branch stock transfers, a head-office panel and multi-outlet reporting are core to the product.
- WhatsApp. It uses WhatsApp for service updates as well as SMS and email. We do not offer WhatsApp.
- Video inspections. It offers video inspections with AI guidance. Our inspections use photos.
- Branded customer app. Customers can book through an app in the shop’s own brand.
- Review average. GaragePlug averages 4.8 from 56 reviews on Capterra. Workshop Software averages 4.0 from 77 on Capterra and 4.2 from 159 on Google.
Closer than you might expect
Both are cloud systems with digital job cards, invoicing, inventory, service reminders and electronic inspections. Both have mobile apps, technician time clocking, online booking and multi-site support. Both let customers approve work from an inspection.
Which should you choose?
Choose Workshop Software if you want to see pricing before a sales call, you keep your books in QuickBooks Online or Xero, you want labor times in the job card, you want a 14 day trial with no credit card, or you want phone, email and 24 hour chat support.
GaragePlug may suit you if you run a large chain or franchise network that moves stock between outlets, your customers prefer WhatsApp, you want video inspections or a branded customer app, and you are happy to get a custom quote.
The fastest way to decide is to run your own jobs through it. Start a free trial
Comparing more systems? Read our guide to choosing between workshop platforms.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Workshop Software cost in the US?
Workshop Software has three plans. Silver is USD $149 a month on annual billing or $169 monthly. Gold is $179 or $199. Platinum is $249 or $299 per site. Extra users are USD $20 a month each.
Does Workshop Software have a free trial?
Yes. Workshop Software has a 14 day free trial with full features and no credit card. There is no lock-in contract, you can cancel any time, and you can export your data.
Does Workshop Software work with QuickBooks and Xero?
Yes. Workshop Software connects to QuickBooks Online and Xero, and is a listed app on the Intuit QuickBooks App Store. Payments and supplier invoices sync to your accounting.
Can I quote from labor times in Workshop Software?
Yes. Workshop Software connects to Mitchell 1, and MOTOR labor data is available through the PartsTech integration. These carry their own subscription.
Does Workshop Software have a mobile app?
Yes. On Gold and above, the free iOS and Android app runs the whole shop: bookings, job cards, inspections, invoicing and clocking on and off jobs.
Does Workshop Software do electronic inspections?
Yes, on Gold and above. Technicians add photos, and the customer opens a link to approve the work.
Can Workshop Software run more than one location?
Yes. Multi-site is on the Platinum plan, priced per site.
How much does GaragePlug cost?
GaragePlug does not publish pricing. Its pricing page says it quotes on network size, geography and the modules you switch on. Its US App Store listing shows in-app tiers of $199.99, $299.99 and $399.99 a month, without saying what each includes.
Does GaragePlug offer a free trial?
Yes. GaragePlug’s help center describes a free 7 day trial.
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Comparison based on information each company publishes. Prices and features change, so please check the details with each company before you commit. Prices as at October 2026.