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Automotive · head to head

CARFAX for Dealers vs KBB

CARFAX for Dealers logo

CARFAX for Dealers

Automotive

Show them the CARFAX

From
On request
Rated
-
KBB logo

KBB

Automotive

Vehicle pricing and research from Kelley Blue Book

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only KBB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CARFAX for Dealers the App Store listing (publisher CARFAX, Inc.) states the app requires an existing CARFAX for Dealers business account login, so it cannot be evaluated or purchased as a standalone app without a separate commercial dealer contract already in place.; KBB kBB car-values tool is free to consumers with no subscription tier, per the 27 Dec 2022 archive capture
  • They diverge on capability: CARFAX for Dealers covers Vehicle history reports, KBB covers Vehicle pricing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARFAX for Dealers and KBB actually diverge.

Attributes where CARFAX for Dealers and KBB differ
AttributeCARFAX for DealersKBB
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, ApiWeb, Mobile, App
Founded19841926

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Automotive).

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 CARFAX for Dealers

  • Vehicle history reports
  • Service history
  • Accident history
  • 1-Owner finder
  • CARFAX listings
  • Service retention
  • Dealer website tools
  • Customer leads

Only in KBB

  • Vehicle pricing
  • Trade-in values
  • Depreciation estimates
  • Expert reviews
  • Comparisons
  • Research tools
  • Cost of ownership
  • Inventory search

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CARFAX for Dealers

  • Vehicle historynot KBB
  • Customer trustnot KBB
  • Inventory merchandisingnot KBB
  • Service retentionnot KBB
  • Lead generationnot KBB

KBB

  • Dealership Managementnot CARFAX for Dealers
  • Service Schedulingnot CARFAX for Dealers
  • Inventory Managementnot CARFAX for Dealers
  • Sales Operationsnot CARFAX for Dealers
  • Customer Relationshipnot CARFAX for Dealers

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CARFAX for Dealers

  • The App Store listing (publisher CARFAX, Inc.) states the app requires an existing CARFAX for Dealers business account login, so it cannot be evaluated or purchased as a standalone app without a separate commercial dealer contract already in place.

KBB

  • KBB car-values tool is free to consumers with no subscription tier, per the 27 Dec 2022 archive capture

Pricing, plan by plan

CARFAX for Dealers

On request
  • Basic$undefined/month
    • Vehicle history reports
    • Inventory listings
    • Dealer website badge
  • Advantage$undefined/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • CARFAX Hot Listings
    • Service retention tools
  • Advantage Plus$undefined/month
    • Everything in Advantage
    • Snap report
    • 1-owner leads

KBB

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Vehicle values
    • Pricing data
    • Expert reviews
  • Dealer Instant Offer$299/month
    • Instant offer capability
    • Lead generation
    • Customer tools

Which should you pick?

Choose CARFAX for Dealers if

  • You need vehicle history reports.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want service history.

Choose KBB if

  • You need vehicle pricing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want trade-in values.

Questions people ask

Is CARFAX for Dealers or KBB better?
Neither clearly leads. CARFAX for Dealers starts at On request and KBB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARFAX for Dealers or KBB?
KBB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for CARFAX for Dealers and Free for KBB.
Does CARFAX for Dealers or KBB run on more platforms?
CARFAX for Dealers runs on Web, Mobile, Api. KBB runs on Web, Mobile, App.
Can I use KBB for free?
Yes. KBB has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CARFAX for Dealers starts at On request.
What is CARFAX for Dealers best used for?
CARFAX for Dealers is most often used for vehicle history, customer trust, inventory merchandising, service retention. Of those, vehicle history and customer trust are not what KBB is typically brought in for.
What can CARFAX for Dealers do that KBB cannot?
CARFAX for Dealers covers Vehicle history reports, Service history, Accident history, 1-Owner finder. KBB covers Vehicle pricing, Trade-in values, Depreciation estimates, Expert reviews.

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