Software · head to head
IDENTIFIX vs CARFAX for Dealers
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; CARFAX for Dealers the App Store listing (publisher CARFAX, Inc.) states the app requires an existing CARFAX for Dealers business account login, so it cannot be evaluated or purchased as a standalone app without a separate commercial dealer contract already in place.
- They diverge on capability: IDENTIFIX covers Direct-Hit database, CARFAX for Dealers covers Vehicle history reports.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which IDENTIFIX and CARFAX for Dealers actually diverge.
| Attribute | IDENTIFIX | CARFAX for Dealers |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99/month | On request |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Web, Mobile, Api |
| Founded | 1987 | 1984 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 IDENTIFIX
- Direct-Hit database
- Confirmed fixes
- OEM repair info
- Wiring diagrams
- TSB access
- Component locators
- Hotline support
- Training videos
Only in CARFAX for Dealers
- Vehicle history reports
- Service history
- Accident history
- 1-Owner finder
- CARFAX listings
- Service retention
- Dealer website tools
- Customer leads
Both cover
- Data encryption
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
IDENTIFIX
- Automotive repair shops looking up verified repair fixes and diagnostic data for specific vehiclesnot CARFAX for Dealers
CARFAX for Dealers
- Vehicle historynot IDENTIFIX
- Customer trustnot IDENTIFIX
- Inventory merchandisingnot IDENTIFIX
- Service retentionnot IDENTIFIX
- Lead generationnot IDENTIFIX
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
CARFAX for Dealers
- The App Store listing (publisher CARFAX, Inc.) states the app requires an existing CARFAX for Dealers business account login, so it cannot be evaluated or purchased as a standalone app without a separate commercial dealer contract already in place.
Pricing, plan by plan
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$249/month
- Everything in Pro
- Multiple users
- Shop management
CARFAX for Dealers
On request- Basic$undefined/month
- Vehicle history reports
- Inventory listings
- Dealer website badge
- Advantage$undefined/month
- Everything in Basic
- CARFAX Hot Listings
- Service retention tools
- Advantage Plus$undefined/month
- Everything in Advantage
- Snap report
- 1-owner leads
Which should you pick?
Choose IDENTIFIX if
- You need direct-hit database.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
- You also want confirmed fixes.
Choose CARFAX for Dealers if
- You need vehicle history reports.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
- You also want service history.
Questions people ask
- Is IDENTIFIX or CARFAX for Dealers better?
- Neither clearly leads. IDENTIFIX starts at $99/month and CARFAX for Dealers at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, IDENTIFIX or CARFAX for Dealers?
- IDENTIFIX starts at $99/month and CARFAX for Dealers at On request.
- Does IDENTIFIX or CARFAX for Dealers run on more platforms?
- IDENTIFIX runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. CARFAX for Dealers runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
- What is IDENTIFIX best used for?
- IDENTIFIX is most often used for automotive repair shops looking up verified repair fixes and diagnostic data for specific vehicles. Of those, automotive repair shops looking up verified repair fixes and diagnostic data for specific vehicles is not what CARFAX for Dealers is typically brought in for.
- What can IDENTIFIX do that CARFAX for Dealers cannot?
- IDENTIFIX covers Direct-Hit database, Confirmed fixes, OEM repair info, Wiring diagrams. CARFAX for Dealers covers Vehicle history reports, Service history, Accident history, 1-Owner finder. Both handle Data encryption, Cloud deployment.
Related pages
More on CARFAX for Dealers
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