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Software · head to head

KBB vs Cars.com

KBB logo

KBB

Software

Vehicle pricing and research from Kelley Blue Book

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Cars.com logo

Cars.com

Software

Your trusted automotive marketplace

From
$299/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only KBB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: KBB kBB car-values tool is free to consumers with no subscription tier, per the 27 Dec 2022 archive capture; Cars.com cars.com charges shoppers nothing; it is a free listings site monetised via dealer advertising, per the 31 Dec 2020 archive capture
  • They diverge on capability: KBB covers Vehicle pricing, Cars.com covers Vehicle listing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KBB and Cars.com actually diverge.

Attributes where KBB and Cars.com differ
AttributeKBBCars.com
Starting priceFree$299/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded19261998

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 Cars.com

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

Both cover

  • Lead generation
  • CRM systems
  • Analytics
  • Mobile apps
  • SSL encryption
  • Secure authentication
  • Data protection
  • Privacy standards

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

Cars.com

  • 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

Cars.com

  • Cars.com charges shoppers nothing; it is a free listings site monetised via dealer advertising, per the 31 Dec 2020 archive capture

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

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

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 Cars.com if

  • You need vehicle listing.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want marketplace access.
Cars.com review

Questions people ask

Is KBB or Cars.com better?
Neither clearly leads. KBB starts at Free and Cars.com at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KBB or Cars.com?
KBB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KBB and $299/month for Cars.com.
Does KBB or Cars.com 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. Cars.com starts at $299/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 Cars.com cannot?
KBB covers Vehicle pricing, Trade-in values, Depreciation estimates, Expert reviews. Cars.com covers Vehicle listing, Marketplace access, Dealer profile, Performance tracking. Both handle Lead generation, CRM systems, Analytics, Mobile apps.
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