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Automotive · head to head

CDK Global vs NADA Guides

CDK Global logo

CDK Global

Automotive

Drive your dealership forward

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
NADA Guides logo

NADA Guides

Automotive

Trusted vehicle valuation for dealerships

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only NADA Guides 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; NADA Guides does not include private party transaction data, only dealer pricing
  • They diverge on capability: CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, NADA Guides covers Vehicle valuations.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CDK Global and NADA Guides actually diverge.

Attributes where CDK Global and NADA Guides differ
AttributeCDK GlobalNADA Guides
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Mobile Web
Founded20141917

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 NADA Guides

  • Vehicle valuations
  • Retail pricing
  • Trade-in values
  • Market analysis
  • Dealer reports
  • Historical pricing
  • Regional data
  • Mobile application

What people use each for

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

CDK Global

  • Dealership operationsnot NADA Guides
  • Sales managementnot NADA Guides
  • Service departmentnot NADA Guides
  • Parts managementnot NADA Guides
  • Financial reportingnot NADA Guides

NADA Guides

  • 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

NADA Guides

  • Does not include private party transaction data, only dealer pricing
  • Valuations updated monthly or quarterly, not in real-time
  • Accuracy decreases for older and rare vehicle models
  • User input errors for mileage, condition, and trim level significantly affect valuations

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

NADA Guides

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic valuations
    • Pricing reports
    • Mobile access
  • Professional$149/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Advanced reports
    • Market insights
  • Dealer Packages$undefined/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • Custom integrations
    • Data feeds

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 NADA Guides if

  • You need vehicle valuations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile Web.
  • You also want retail pricing.
NADA Guides review

Questions people ask

Is CDK Global or NADA Guides better?
Neither clearly leads. CDK Global starts at On request and NADA Guides at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CDK Global or NADA Guides?
NADA Guides has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for CDK Global and Free for NADA Guides.
Does CDK Global or NADA Guides run on more platforms?
CDK Global runs on Web, Desktop, Api. NADA Guides runs on Web, Mobile Web.
Can I use NADA Guides for free?
Yes. NADA Guides 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 NADA Guides is typically brought in for.
What can CDK Global do that NADA Guides cannot?
CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Sales desking, F&I management, Service scheduling. NADA Guides covers Vehicle valuations, Retail pricing, Trade-in values, Market analysis.

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
NADA Guides: Is NADAguides free to use?

Yes, NADAguides.com offers free vehicle valuation estimates. The service allows users to get a VIN-based assessment at no cost.

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
NADA Guides: What types of vehicles does NADA Guides cover?

NADA Guides provides pricing information for used and new cars, classic cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, and manufactured homes.

Source
CDK Global: Is there a free trial available?

No information about free trials is provided on CDK Global's website.

Source
NADA Guides: How often are NADA valuations updated?

NADA valuations are updated monthly or quarterly, which means they may not reflect real-time market conditions or sudden shifts in supply and demand.

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
NADA Guides: Does NADAguides include private party sales data?

No. NADA algorithms use only dealer selling prices and do not include private sale values, which can result in higher valuations that don't reflect typical private market prices.

Source
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