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Automotive · head to head

CDK Global vs TrueCar

CDK Global logo

CDK Global

Automotive

Drive your dealership forward

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TrueCar logo

TrueCar

Automotive

Transparent pricing and deals on cars

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only TrueCar has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CDK Global no pricing information is published on the website; TrueCar trueCar's consumer car-shopping and pricing tools are free to use; the company is monetized through dealer partnerships rather than a consumer subscription
  • They diverge on capability: CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, TrueCar covers Price transparency.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where CDK Global and TrueCar differ
AttributeCDK GlobalTrueCar
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Mobile, App
Founded20142005

Identical on both: 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 CDK Global

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

Only in TrueCar

  • Price transparency
  • Inventory search
  • Dealer ratings
  • Consumer reviews
  • Lead generation
  • Pricing reports
  • Market analysis
  • Mobile app

What people use each for

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

CDK Global

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

TrueCar

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

Where each one falls short

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

CDK Global

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

TrueCar

  • TrueCar's consumer car-shopping and pricing tools are free to use; the company is monetized through dealer partnerships rather than a consumer subscription

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

TrueCar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Vehicle search
    • Price estimates
    • Dealer ratings
  • Dealer Plus$299/month
    • Lead generation
    • Dealer profile
    • Performance metrics
  • Enterprise$799/month
    • Everything in Dealer Plus
    • Custom integration
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose CDK Global if

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

Choose TrueCar if

  • You need price transparency.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want inventory search.
TrueCar review

Questions people ask

Is CDK Global or TrueCar better?
Neither clearly leads. CDK Global starts at On request and TrueCar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CDK Global or TrueCar?
TrueCar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for CDK Global and Free for TrueCar.
Does CDK Global or TrueCar run on more platforms?
CDK Global runs on Web, Desktop, Api. TrueCar runs on Web, Mobile, App.
Can I use TrueCar for free?
Yes. TrueCar has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CDK Global starts at On request.
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 TrueCar is typically brought in for.
What can CDK Global do that TrueCar cannot?
CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Sales desking, F&I management, Service scheduling. TrueCar covers Price transparency, Inventory search, Dealer ratings, Consumer reviews.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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