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Automotive · head to head

CarNow vs CDK Global

CarNow logo

CarNow

Automotive

Modern vehicle leasing solutions

From
$800/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CDK Global logo

CDK Global

Automotive

Drive your dealership forward

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CarNow no pricing information disclosed on website; CDK Global no pricing information is published on the website
  • They diverge on capability: CarNow covers Lease processing, CDK Global covers Dealer Management System.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CarNow and CDK Global actually diverge.

Attributes where CarNow and CDK Global differ
AttributeCarNowCDK Global
Starting price$800/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, ApiWeb, Desktop, Api
Founded20152014

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 CarNow

  • Lease processing
  • Document automation
  • Compliance management
  • Lease tracking
  • Customer portal
  • Payment processing
  • Warranty integration
  • Fleet management

Only in CDK Global

  • Dealer Management System
  • Sales desking
  • F&I management
  • Service scheduling
  • Parts inventory
  • Accounting
  • CRM integration
  • Digital retailing

Both cover

  • Lender networks
  • Accounting software
  • Data encryption

What people use each for

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

CarNow

  • Automotive dealership managementnot CDK Global
  • Car inventory and sales automationnot CDK Global

CDK Global

  • Dealership operationsnot CarNow
  • Sales managementnot CarNow
  • Service departmentnot CarNow
  • Parts managementnot CarNow
  • Financial reportingnot CarNow

Where each one falls short

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

CarNow

  • No pricing information disclosed on website
  • Vendor directs customers to book demo or contact support for pricing
  • Consultative sales approach suggests custom pricing based on dealership needs

CDK Global

  • No pricing information is published on the website
  • Pricing model is not disclosed; buyers must contact sales directly

Pricing, plan by plan

CarNow

$800/month
  • Starter$800/month
    • Lease processing
    • Document automation
    • Basic compliance
  • Professional$1800/month
    • Everything in Starter
    • Advanced compliance
    • Multi-location support
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • Custom integrations
    • Advanced reporting

CDK Global

On request
  • Drive$undefined/month
    • Core DMS functionality
    • Sales & F&I
    • Service & parts
  • Drive+$undefined/month
    • Everything in Drive
    • Advanced CRM
    • Digital retailing
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Drive+
    • Custom integrations
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose CarNow if

  • You need lease processing.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want document automation.
CarNow review

Choose CDK Global if

  • You need dealer management system.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Api.
  • You also want sales desking.
CDK Global review

Questions people ask

Is CarNow or CDK Global better?
Neither clearly leads. CarNow starts at $800/month and CDK Global at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CarNow or CDK Global?
CarNow starts at $800/month and CDK Global at On request.
Does CarNow or CDK Global run on more platforms?
CarNow runs on Web, Mobile, Api. CDK Global runs on Web, Desktop, Api.
What is CarNow best used for?
CarNow is most often used for automotive dealership management, car inventory and sales automation. Of those, automotive dealership management and car inventory and sales automation are not what CDK Global is typically brought in for.
What can CarNow do that CDK Global cannot?
CarNow covers Lease processing, Document automation, Compliance management, Lease tracking. CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Sales desking, F&I management, Service scheduling. Both handle Lender networks, Accounting software, Data encryption.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CarNow: How much does CarNow cost?

CarNow does not publish pricing on its website. To receive pricing information, you must book a demo or contact support at 877-882-5353 or [email protected].

Source
CDK Global: How much does CDK Global cost?

CDK Global does not publish pricing on its website. The vendor requires customers to contact their sales team directly at 833.620.2129 or through their contact form to obtain quotes.

Source
CarNow: Does CarNow offer different pricing tiers?

CarNow's pricing model is not publicly disclosed, but the vendor's consultative approach suggests pricing is customized based on individual dealership size, location, and specific requirements.

Source
CDK Global: What is CDK Global's pricing model?

The pricing model is not disclosed. CDK Global directs all pricing inquiries to their sales team, suggesting a custom quote or negotiated pricing structure.

Source
CarNow: Can I request a free trial of CarNow?

CarNow encourages booking a demo to see the platform in action, but trial terms and conditions are not specified on the public website.

Source
CDK Global: Is there a free trial available?

No information about free trials is provided on CDK Global's website.

Source
CDK Global: Who should I contact for pricing information?

Contact CDK Global's sales team at 833.620.2129 or 847.397.1700, or visit their Contact Us page to request pricing information.

Source
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