Softwr

Software · head to head

Cars.com vs AutoTrader

Cars.com logo

Cars.com

Software

Your trusted automotive marketplace

From
$299/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AutoTrader logo

AutoTrader

Software

Leading online automotive marketplace

From
$199/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Cars.com covers Marketplace access, AutoTrader covers Marketplace visibility.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cars.com and AutoTrader actually diverge.

Attributes where Cars.com and AutoTrader differ
AttributeCars.comAutoTrader
Starting price$299/month$199/month
Founded19981997

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 Cars.com

  • Marketplace access
  • Performance tracking
  • Mobile responsive
  • Photo and video gallery
  • Consumer research tools
  • Email marketing
  • Analytics
  • Inventory sync

Only in AutoTrader

  • Marketplace visibility
  • Performance metrics
  • Mobile optimization
  • Photo gallery
  • Video integration
  • Marketing tools
  • Analytics platforms
  • Email services

Both cover

  • Vehicle listing
  • Lead generation
  • Dealer profile
  • CRM systems
  • DMS platforms
  • Lead scoring
  • Mobile apps
  • SSL encryption
  • Secure authentication
  • Data protection

What people use each for

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

Cars.com

  • Dealership Management
  • Service Scheduling
  • Inventory Management
  • Sales Operations
  • Customer Relationship

AutoTrader

  • 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.

Cars.com

  • Cars.com charges shoppers nothing; it is a free listings site monetised via dealer advertising, per the 31 Dec 2020 archive capture

AutoTrader

Nothing recorded yet. See the AutoTrader review.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Cars.com if

  • You need marketplace access.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want performance tracking.
Cars.com review

Choose AutoTrader if

  • You need marketplace visibility.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want performance metrics.
AutoTrader review

Questions people ask

Is Cars.com or AutoTrader better?
Neither clearly leads. Cars.com starts at $299/month and AutoTrader at $199/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cars.com or AutoTrader?
Cars.com starts at $299/month and AutoTrader at $199/month.
Does Cars.com or AutoTrader run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Mobile, App, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Cars.com best used for?
Cars.com is most often used for dealership management, service scheduling, inventory management, sales operations.
What can Cars.com do that AutoTrader cannot?
Cars.com covers Marketplace access, Performance tracking, Mobile responsive, Photo and video gallery. AutoTrader covers Marketplace visibility, Performance metrics, Mobile optimization, Photo gallery. Both handle Vehicle listing, Lead generation, Dealer profile, CRM systems.
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Related pages

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