Software · head to head
CDK Global vs Tekion
The short version
- They diverge on capability: CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Tekion covers Cloud-native DMS.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CDK Global and Tekion actually diverge.
| Attribute | CDK Global | Tekion |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Api | Web, Ios, Android, Api |
| Founded | 2014 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (quote), free tier (No), 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 CDK Global
- Dealer Management System
- Sales desking
- F&I management
- Parts inventory
- Accounting
- CRM integration
- Digital retailing
- Lender networks
Only in Tekion
- Cloud-native DMS
- Digital retail
- AI-powered CRM
- Parts management
- Accounting suite
- Real-time analytics
- Mobile-first design
- Lenders
Both cover
- Service scheduling
- OEM systems
- Credit bureaus
- Third-party tools
- Marketing platforms
- SOC2
- Data encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CDK Global
- Dealership operationsnot Tekion
- Sales managementnot Tekion
- Service departmentnot Tekion
- Parts managementnot Tekion
- Financial reportingnot Tekion
Tekion
- DMS modernizationnot CDK Global
- Digital transformationnot CDK Global
- Multi-store operationsnot CDK Global
- Customer experiencenot CDK Global
- Data analyticsnot CDK Global
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CDK Global
Nothing recorded yet. See the CDK Global review.
Tekion
- The Internet Archive's capture of Tekion's homepage on 22 January 2021 stated the platform carries a 30-day cancellation notice rather than a long-term contract lock-in, and charges zero integration fees to OEM and ecosystem partners; no price figure was published, only 'Request Demo'.
Pricing, plan by plan
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$undefined/month
- Everything in Drive+
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
Tekion
On request- DMS Core$undefined/month
- Sales & F&I
- Service & parts
- Accounting
- Retail Cloud$undefined/month
- Full DMS
- Digital retail
- Advanced CRM
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Everything included
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated success team
Which should you pick?
Choose CDK Global if
- You need dealer management system.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Api.
- You also want sales desking.
Choose Tekion if
- You need cloud-native dms.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
- You also want digital retail.
Questions people ask
- Is CDK Global or Tekion better?
- Neither clearly leads. CDK Global starts at On request and Tekion at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CDK Global or Tekion?
- CDK Global starts at On request and Tekion at On request.
- Does CDK Global or Tekion run on more platforms?
- CDK Global runs on Web, Desktop, Api. Tekion runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
- What is CDK Global best used for?
- CDK Global is most often used for dealership operations, sales management, service department, parts management. Of those, dealership operations and sales management are not what Tekion is typically brought in for.
- What can CDK Global do that Tekion cannot?
- CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Sales desking, F&I management, Parts inventory. Tekion covers Cloud-native DMS, Digital retail, AI-powered CRM, Parts management. Both handle Service scheduling, OEM systems, Credit bureaus, Third-party tools.