Head-to-head · Auto Dealer Accounting

DealerStar vs Pinewood DMS

Updated Nov 2026
Both researched from official sources
6 checks side by side

Higher score DealerStar #1 in Auto Dealer Accounting 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit DealerStar

Pinewood DMS #3 in Auto Dealer Accounting 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Pinewood

DealerStar leads on 0 checks, Pinewood DMS on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreDealerStar · 9.3/10
Most featuresDealerStar · 5 of 5

DealerStar scores higher on our rubric for auto dealer accounting: 9.3 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

DealerStar is the better fit for dealerships needing deep, complete accounting. Pinewood DMS is the better fit for groups needing specialized dealership finance controls.

DealerStar fits best
Dealerships needing deep, complete accounting
Pinewood DMS fits best
Groups needing specialized dealership finance controls

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	DealerStar 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Pinewood DMS 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.0
Ranking	#1 in Auto Dealer Accounting	#3 in Auto Dealer Accounting
Best for	Dealerships needing deep, complete accounting	Groups needing specialized dealership finance controls
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Email, Phone	Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	500+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DealerStar 5/5 · Pinewood DMS 3/5
Vehicle inventory accounting	✓	✓
Floorplan accounting	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Financial statements	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Parts & service accounting	✓	✓
Multi-location support	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Our review
Pros	General ledger, receivables, statements, and departmental expense distribution Floorplan interest reconciliation, bank imports, and intercompany accounting Accounting connects with parts, service, sales, F&I, payroll, and inventory	Tracks vehicle stock financially and calculates depreciation Matches supplier invoices with purchase orders and GRNs Supports bank reconciliation and electronic VAT submission to HMRC
Cons	Paid product with no free plan Web and cloud deployment only Factory integrations center on six listed automotive brands	Pricing is available through sales contact rather than published plans Accounting sits within a broader dealer management system Floorplan accounting and standard financial statements are not specified
Our verdict	DealerStar is a web-based dealership management system for franchised auto dealers, combining accounting with payroll, sales, F&I, parts, and service functions. It suits small dealerships, mid-market operations, and enterprise dealership… Read the review →	Pinewood DMS is a cloud-based dealer management system for automotive retailers and OEMs, with accounting capabilities covering general, sales, purchase and vehicle ledgers. It is aimed at dealerships from single sites to large multi-site… Read the review →

D DealerStarAuto Dealer Accounting 9.3Paid
Pinewood DMSAuto Dealer Accounting 9.0Pricing on request

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

DealerStar — where it wins
- General ledger, receivables, statements, and departmental expense distribution
- Floorplan interest reconciliation, bank imports, and intercompany accounting
- Accounting connects with parts, service, sales, F&I, payroll, and inventory
Where it doesn't
- Paid product with no free plan
- Web and cloud deployment only
- Factory integrations center on six listed automotive brands
Pinewood DMS — where it wins
- Tracks vehicle stock financially and calculates depreciation
- Matches supplier invoices with purchase orders and GRNs
- Supports bank reconciliation and electronic VAT submission to HMRC
Where it doesn't
- Pricing is available through sales contact rather than published plans
- Accounting sits within a broader dealer management system
- Floorplan accounting and standard financial statements are not specified

DealerStar9.3/10 · Paid
A cloud DMS for franchised dealers that combines deep accounting with dealership operations.
Visit DealerStar Full verdict →
Pinewood DMS9.0/10 · Pricing on request
Specialized dealership finance controls within a broader cloud DMS.
Visit Pinewood Full verdict →