ARI vs Garage Hive

ARI7.1Visit Garage Hive6.8Visit

Higher score ARI #6 in Auto Repair Software 7.1/10 From $33.33/mo (annual) ✓ 3 of 6 features Visit ARI

vs

Garage Hive #8 in Auto Repair Software 6.8/10 From £145/mo ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Garage Hive

• ARI fits best

  Budget-conscious shops needing broad workflows

• Garage Hive fits best

  UK workshops needing integrated operations

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Side by side

Feature	ARI 7.1/10 Visit ↗	Garage Hive 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.1	6.8
Ranking	#6 in Auto Repair Software	#8 in Auto Repair Software
Best for	Budget-conscious shops needing broad workflows	UK workshops needing integrated operations
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$33.33/mo	Not published
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email · 24/7	Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	15 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ARI 3/6 · Garage Hive 5/6
Work orders	✓	✓
Digital inspections	✓	✓
Appointment scheduling	Not published	✓ (best)
Parts inventory	✓	✓
Customer messaging	Not published	✓ (best)
Mobile app	Not published	—
Specs
Location support	Not published	Multi
Our review
Pros	Connects work orders, estimates, approvals, inspections and invoicing Tracks inventory, technician time, appointments and vehicle service history Supports web, Windows, iOS and Android, plus payment and shop integrations	Connects estimates, jobsheets, invoicing and technician scheduling Combines inspections, customer approvals and online booking Includes parts control and multi-location schedules, stock and reporting
Cons	Free access is a trial capped at five items in several categories ARI Pro Plus costs more, while listed highlights match ARI Pro Support is listed through email, which may not suit shops needing phone help	Paid plans start at £145 per month, with no free plan Available on web; no mobile app is listed Broad workflow may be more than a single-location garage needs
Our verdict	ARI brings customer and vehicle records, work orders, estimates, digital inspections and invoicing into one system for mobile mechanics, independent technicians, repair shops, dealers and other auto-care businesses. Its scope extends to… Read the review →	Garage Hive brings workshop administration into a cloud-based system for vehicle repair businesses. It covers estimates, jobsheets, invoicing, technician scheduling and time tracking, alongside customer bookings and communication.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ARI — where it wins

  • Connects work orders, estimates, approvals, inspections and invoicing
  • Tracks inventory, technician time, appointments and vehicle service history
  • Supports web, Windows, iOS and Android, plus payment and shop integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Free access is a trial capped at five items in several categories
  • ARI Pro Plus costs more, while listed highlights match ARI Pro
  • Support is listed through email, which may not suit shops needing phone help

• Garage Hive — where it wins

  • Connects estimates, jobsheets, invoicing and technician scheduling
  • Combines inspections, customer approvals and online booking
  • Includes parts control and multi-location schedules, stock and reporting

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid plans start at £145 per month, with no free plan
  • Available on web; no mobile app is listed
  • Broad workflow may be more than a single-location garage needs

• ARI7.1/10 · From $33.33/mo (annual)

  ARI connects repair workflows, though ongoing use starts at $33.33/month billed annually.

  Visit ARIFull verdict →
• Garage Hive6.8/10 · From £145/mo

  An all-in-one workshop system for UK garages, starting at £145 per month.

  Visit Garage HiveFull verdict →