Softwr

Automotive · head to head

CDK Global vs Shop-Ware

CDK Global logo

CDK Global

Automotive

Drive your dealership forward

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shop-Ware logo

Shop-Ware

Automotive

Cloud-based shop management system

From
$279/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CDK Global no pricing information is published on the website; Shop-Ware pricing structured per location
  • They diverge on capability: CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, 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 CDK Global and Shop-Ware actually diverge.

Attributes where CDK Global and Shop-Ware differ
AttributeCDK GlobalShop-Ware
Starting priceOn request$279/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Mobile, App
Founded20142005

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Shop-Ware

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

Both cover

  • Third-party tools
  • Accounting software
  • Data encryption

What people use each for

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

CDK Global

  • Dealership operationsnot Shop-Ware
  • Sales managementnot Shop-Ware
  • Service departmentnot Shop-Ware
  • Parts managementnot Shop-Ware
  • Financial reportingnot Shop-Ware

Shop-Ware

  • 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

Shop-Ware

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

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

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 CDK Global if

  • You need dealer management system.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Api.
  • You also want sales desking.
CDK Global 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 CDK Global or Shop-Ware better?
Neither clearly leads. CDK Global starts at On request and Shop-Ware at $279/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CDK Global or Shop-Ware?
CDK Global starts at On request and Shop-Ware at $279/month.
Does CDK Global or Shop-Ware run on more platforms?
CDK Global runs on Web, Desktop, Api. Shop-Ware runs on Web, Mobile, App.
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 Shop-Ware is typically brought in for.
What can CDK Global do that Shop-Ware cannot?
CDK Global covers Dealer Management System, Sales desking, F&I management, Service scheduling. Shop-Ware covers Work order management, Customer database, Vehicle history, Scheduling. Both handle Third-party tools, Accounting software, Data encryption.

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
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
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
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
CDK Global: Is there a free trial available?

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

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
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
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
Share

Related pages

More on CDK Global

More on Shop-Ware

Keep looking

Other head to heads