Softwr

Automotive · head to head

KBB vs Shop-Ware

KBB logo

KBB

Automotive

Vehicle pricing and research from Kelley Blue Book

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shop-Ware logo

Shop-Ware

Automotive

Cloud-based shop management system

From
$279/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; Shop-Ware pricing structured per location
  • They diverge on capability: KBB covers Vehicle pricing, Shop-Ware covers Work order management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KBB and Shop-Ware actually diverge.

Attributes where KBB and Shop-Ware differ
AttributeKBBShop-Ware
Starting priceFree$279/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded19262005

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Mobile, App), 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 KBB

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

Only in Shop-Ware

  • Work order management
  • Customer database
  • Vehicle history
  • Scheduling
  • Invoicing
  • Customer portal
  • Mobile application
  • Business analytics

Both cover

  • Mobile apps
  • Email services
  • SSL encryption
  • Secure authentication

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

Shop-Ware

  • 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

Shop-Ware

  • Pricing structured per location
  • Data migration fees apply
  • Accounting integration fees apply

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

Shop-Ware

$279/month
  • Startup$279/month
    • Unlimited users
    • AI Parts Matrix
    • DVX
  • Pro$389/month
    • Startup features
    • Unlimited two-way texting
    • MOTOR Labor Guide
  • Master$499/month
    • Pro features
    • Business Analytics Suite
    • Monthly inventory value tracking
  • Ultimate+$999/month
    • Master features
    • High performance website
    • Search engine optimization

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 Shop-Ware if

  • You need work order management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, App.
  • You also want customer database.
Shop-Ware review

Questions people ask

Is KBB or Shop-Ware better?
Neither clearly leads. KBB starts at Free and Shop-Ware at $279/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KBB or Shop-Ware?
KBB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KBB and $279/month for Shop-Ware.
Does KBB or Shop-Ware 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. Shop-Ware starts at $279/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 Shop-Ware cannot?
KBB covers Vehicle pricing, Trade-in values, Depreciation estimates, Expert reviews. Shop-Ware covers Work order management, Customer database, Vehicle history, Scheduling. Both handle Mobile apps, Email services, SSL encryption, Secure authentication.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Shop-Ware: How much does Shop-Ware cost?

Shop-Ware pricing ranges from $279/month for Startup to $999/month for Ultimate+. Annual billing offers discounts: $251/month for Startup, $350/month for Pro, $449/month for Master, and $899/month for Ultimate+.

Source
Shop-Ware: What is included in the Shop-Ware Startup plan?

The Startup plan ($279/month) includes unlimited users, AI Parts Matrix, DVX, Maintenance Builder, and limited two-way texting.

Source
Shop-Ware: What features does the Master plan add to Shop-Ware?

Master ($499/month) adds Business Analytics Suite, monthly inventory value and gross profit tracking, and coaching dashboards compared to the Pro plan.

Source
Shop-Ware: What makes Shop-Ware Ultimate+ different from Master?

Ultimate+ ($999/month) includes a high-performance website, SEO, Google Ads enablement, call tracking, CRM, and online service scheduling beyond Master's features.

Source
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