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Automotive · head to head

Cars.com vs CDK Global

Cars.com logo

Cars.com

Automotive

Your trusted automotive marketplace

From
$299/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: Cars.com cars.com charges shoppers nothing; it is a free listings site monetised via dealer advertising, per the 31 Dec 2020 archive capture; CDK Global no pricing information is published on the website
  • They diverge on capability: Cars.com covers Vehicle listing, 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 Cars.com and CDK Global actually diverge.

Attributes where Cars.com and CDK Global differ
AttributeCars.comCDK Global
Starting price$299/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, AppWeb, Desktop, Api
Founded19982014

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 Cars.com

  • Vehicle listing
  • Marketplace access
  • Lead generation
  • Dealer profile
  • Performance tracking
  • Mobile responsive
  • Photo and video gallery
  • Consumer research tools

Only in CDK Global

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

What people use each for

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

Cars.com

  • Dealership Managementnot CDK Global
  • Service Schedulingnot CDK Global
  • Inventory Managementnot CDK Global
  • Sales Operationsnot CDK Global
  • Customer Relationshipnot CDK Global

CDK Global

  • Dealership operationsnot Cars.com
  • Sales managementnot Cars.com
  • Service departmentnot Cars.com
  • Parts managementnot Cars.com
  • Financial reportingnot Cars.com

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

CDK Global

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

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

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 Cars.com if

  • You need vehicle listing.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want marketplace access.
Cars.com 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 Cars.com or CDK Global better?
Neither clearly leads. Cars.com starts at $299/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, Cars.com or CDK Global?
Cars.com starts at $299/month and CDK Global at On request.
Does Cars.com or CDK Global run on more platforms?
Cars.com runs on Web, Mobile, App. CDK Global runs on Web, Desktop, Api.
What is Cars.com best used for?
Cars.com is most often used for dealership management, service scheduling, inventory management, sales operations. Of those, dealership management and service scheduling are not what CDK Global is typically brought in for.
What can Cars.com do that CDK Global cannot?
Cars.com covers Vehicle listing, Marketplace access, Lead generation, Dealer profile. CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Sales desking, F&I management, Service scheduling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cars.com: Is Cars.com free to use?

Yes. Cars.com is a free platform for shopping, researching, and comparing vehicles. Access to new, used, and certified pre-owned listings, expert reviews, safety recall information, and car payment calculators requires no subscription.

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
Cars.com: Can I sell my car on Cars.com for free?

Yes. Cars.com offers free listings for private sellers. The platform also provides tools to obtain instant cash offers for vehicles at no cost.

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
Cars.com: Does Cars.com charge dealers for listings?

The homepage mentions free listing options but does not specify dealer pricing. For dealer advertising rates and premium listing options, you would need to visit the dealer section or contact Cars.com directly.

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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