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Software · head to head

KBB vs CarGurus

KBB logo

KBB

Software

Vehicle pricing and research from Kelley Blue Book

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CarGurus logo

CarGurus

Software

Smart car marketplace with deal analysis

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only KBB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: KBB covers Vehicle pricing, CarGurus covers Vehicle listing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KBB and CarGurus actually diverge.

Attributes where KBB and CarGurus differ
AttributeKBBCarGurus
Starting priceFree$249/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded19262006

Identical on both: 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 KBB

  • Vehicle pricing
  • Trade-in values
  • Depreciation estimates
  • Expert reviews
  • Comparisons
  • Research tools
  • Cost of ownership
  • Inventory search

Only in CarGurus

  • Vehicle listing
  • AI deal scoring
  • Market pricing analysis
  • Dealer metrics
  • Inventory insights
  • Photo management
  • Consumer reviews
  • DMS platforms

Both cover

  • Lead generation
  • CRM systems
  • Email services
  • SSL encryption
  • Secure authentication
  • Data protection

What people use each for

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

KBB

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

CarGurus

  • 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.

KBB

  • KBB car-values tool is free to consumers with no subscription tier, per the 27 Dec 2022 archive capture

CarGurus

Nothing recorded yet. See the CarGurus review.

Pricing, plan by plan

KBB

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Vehicle values
    • Pricing data
    • Expert reviews
  • Dealer Instant Offer$299/month
    • Instant offer capability
    • Lead generation
    • Customer tools

CarGurus

$249/month
  • Essential$249/month
    • Vehicle listing
    • Basic lead management
    • Pricing data
  • Pro$599/month
    • Everything in Essential
    • Advanced pricing intelligence
    • Lead scoring
  • Enterprise$1299/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom pricing
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose KBB if

  • You need vehicle pricing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want trade-in values.
KBB review

Choose CarGurus if

  • You need vehicle listing.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want ai deal scoring.
CarGurus review

Questions people ask

Is KBB or CarGurus better?
Neither clearly leads. KBB starts at Free and CarGurus at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KBB or CarGurus?
KBB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KBB and $249/month for CarGurus.
Does KBB or CarGurus run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Mobile, App, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use KBB for free?
Yes. KBB has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CarGurus starts at $249/month.
What is KBB best used for?
KBB is most often used for dealership management, service scheduling, inventory management, sales operations.
What can KBB do that CarGurus cannot?
KBB covers Vehicle pricing, Trade-in values, Depreciation estimates, Expert reviews. CarGurus covers Vehicle listing, AI deal scoring, Market pricing analysis, Dealer metrics. Both handle Lead generation, CRM systems, Email services, SSL encryption.
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