Softwr

Automotive · head to head

CarNow vs IDENTIFIX

CarNow logo

CarNow

Automotive

Modern vehicle leasing solutions

From
$800/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IDENTIFIX logo

IDENTIFIX

Automotive

Fix it the first time

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CarNow no pricing information disclosed on website; IDENTIFIX promotional monthly pricing reverts after 2 months: Pro Academy rises from $278/mo to $298/mo and Pro rises from $268/mo to $288/mo
  • They diverge on capability: CarNow covers Lease processing, IDENTIFIX covers Direct-Hit database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CarNow and IDENTIFIX actually diverge.

Attributes where CarNow and IDENTIFIX differ
AttributeCarNowIDENTIFIX
Starting price$800/month$99/month
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, ApiWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20151987

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 IDENTIFIX

  • Direct-Hit database
  • Confirmed fixes
  • OEM repair info
  • Wiring diagrams
  • TSB access
  • Component locators
  • Hotline support
  • Training videos

Both cover

  • Data encryption

What people use each for

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

CarNow

  • Automotive dealership managementnot IDENTIFIX
  • Car inventory and sales automationnot IDENTIFIX

IDENTIFIX

  • Automotive repair shops looking up verified repair fixes and diagnostic data for specific vehiclesnot 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

IDENTIFIX

  • Promotional monthly pricing reverts after 2 months: Pro Academy rises from $278/mo to $298/mo and Pro rises from $268/mo to $288/mo
  • DIY plan at $29.99/mo limits database access to a single vehicle only, versus full vehicle database on Academy and Pro plans
  • Technician training and certification prep are excluded from the Pro plan and included only on the pricier Academy plan

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

IDENTIFIX

$99/month
  • Direct-Hit$99/month
    • Confirmed fixes
    • OEM information
    • Wiring diagrams
  • Direct-Hit Pro$159/month
    • Everything in Direct-Hit
    • Hotline calls
    • Expert assistance
  • Shop Plus$249/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Multiple users
    • Shop management

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 IDENTIFIX if

  • You need direct-hit database.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want confirmed fixes.
IDENTIFIX review

Questions people ask

Is CarNow or IDENTIFIX better?
Neither clearly leads. CarNow starts at $800/month and IDENTIFIX at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CarNow or IDENTIFIX?
CarNow starts at $800/month and IDENTIFIX at $99/month.
Does CarNow or IDENTIFIX run on more platforms?
CarNow runs on Web, Mobile, Api. IDENTIFIX runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
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 IDENTIFIX is typically brought in for.
What can CarNow do that IDENTIFIX cannot?
CarNow covers Lease processing, Document automation, Compliance management, Lease tracking. IDENTIFIX covers Direct-Hit database, Confirmed fixes, OEM repair info, Wiring diagrams. Both handle 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
IDENTIFIX: What Identifix products are available?

Identifix offers Direct-Hit Pro Academy (professional diagnostic tool with training), Direct-Hit Pro (professional software with 3M+ confirmed fixes), Direct-Hit DIY (described as monthly, low-cost option), Direct-Hit Mobile (mobile access), ShopCentral (cloud shop management), Direct-Help (1-on-1 support), and marketing services.

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
IDENTIFIX: Does Identifix have a budget-friendly option?

Yes, Direct-Hit DIY is described as a monthly, low-cost option for individual vehicle owners. Exact pricing requires visiting the store or contacting their sales team.

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
Share

Related pages

More on CarNow

More on IDENTIFIX

Keep looking

Other head to heads