Software · head to head
AutoTrader vs Cars.com
The short version
- They diverge on capability: AutoTrader covers Marketplace visibility, Cars.com covers Marketplace access.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AutoTrader and Cars.com actually diverge.
| Attribute | AutoTrader | Cars.com |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $199/month | $299/month |
| Founded | 1997 | 1998 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web, Mobile, App), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in AutoTrader
- Marketplace visibility
- Performance metrics
- Mobile optimization
- Photo gallery
- Video integration
- Marketing tools
- Analytics platforms
- Email services
Only in Cars.com
- Marketplace access
- Performance tracking
- Mobile responsive
- Photo and video gallery
- Consumer research tools
- Email marketing
- Analytics
- Inventory sync
Both cover
- Vehicle listing
- Lead generation
- Dealer profile
- CRM systems
- DMS platforms
- Lead scoring
- Mobile apps
- SSL encryption
- Data protection
- Secure authentication
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
AutoTrader
- Dealership Management
- Service Scheduling
- Inventory Management
- Sales Operations
- Customer Relationship
Cars.com
- Dealership Management
- Service Scheduling
- Inventory Management
- Sales Operations
- Customer Relationship
Both are used for dealership management, service scheduling, inventory management, sales operations, customer relationship, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
AutoTrader
Nothing recorded yet. See the AutoTrader review.
Cars.com
- Cars.com charges shoppers nothing; it is a free listings site monetised via dealer advertising, per the 31 Dec 2020 archive capture
Pricing, plan by plan
AutoTrader
$199/month- Starter$199/month
- Vehicle listings
- Basic lead management
- Dealer profile
- Professional$499/month
- Everything in Starter
- Advanced lead tools
- CRM integration
- Premium$899/month
- Everything in Professional
- Top placement
- Priority support
Cars.com
$299/month- Basic$299/month
- Vehicle listings
- Marketplace visibility
- Basic lead management
- Standard$699/month
- Everything in Basic
- Advanced lead tools
- CRM integration
- Premium$1199/month
- Everything in Standard
- Priority placement
- Marketing support
Which should you pick?
Choose AutoTrader if
- You need marketplace visibility.
- You work on Web, Mobile, App.
- You also want performance metrics.
Choose Cars.com if
- You need marketplace access.
- You work on Web, Mobile, App.
- You also want performance tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is AutoTrader or Cars.com better?
- Neither clearly leads. AutoTrader starts at $199/month and Cars.com at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AutoTrader or Cars.com?
- AutoTrader starts at $199/month and Cars.com at $299/month.
- Does AutoTrader or Cars.com run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Mobile, App, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is AutoTrader best used for?
- AutoTrader is most often used for dealership management, service scheduling, inventory management, sales operations.
- What can AutoTrader do that Cars.com cannot?
- AutoTrader covers Marketplace visibility, Performance metrics, Mobile optimization, Photo gallery. Cars.com covers Marketplace access, Performance tracking, Mobile responsive, Photo and video gallery. Both handle Vehicle listing, Lead generation, Dealer profile, CRM systems.