ARI

Overview

ARI is a broad repair-shop platform for operators who want customer approvals and payments tied to day-to-day shop work. It is a good fit for independent shops and mobile mechanics that need both administrative tools and customer-facing workflows, though its free tier is too tightly capped for regular use.

Key features

Shop workflow

Job cards, estimates, digital inspections, invoices and payments cover the central repair workflow; inventory, accounting, appointments, reminders, time tracking and reporting extend it into shop administration. That breadth can reduce the need to manage jobs and records in separate systems. Paid accounts have no monthly invoice cap and no limit on added users or devices, which suits growing teams; the free tier's five-item limit across invoices, estimates, inspections, clients, vehicles and other items is only enough for a small trial.

Customer approvals and vehicle tools

Customers can follow repair progress, review and approve recommended work, book visits and pay invoices through a link without downloading an app or creating an account. That is a practical advantage for shops seeking to remove friction from approvals and payment. VIN decoding, license plate reading, service history and OBD scanning add vehicle-focused tools to the administrative suite.

Integrations and data

ARI lists payment integrations with Square, 360Payments, PayPal, Stripe and Helcim, alongside PartsTech, M1, CarFax, CarMD, QuickBooks and Wisetack. This range is useful for shops whose workflows already depend on those services. ARI says access is protected with usernames and passwords, sensitive data is encrypted and stored on Firebase, and user data is shared with CarFax only with opt-in.

Pricing

ARI offers a free trial capped at five invoices, estimates, inspections, clients, vehicles and other items. It is useful for evaluating a workflow, but not as a lasting free option for an active shop.

ARI Pro costs $39.99 a month, or $399.99 a year (billed $ 33.33 Monthly). Both terms include invoicing, inspections, inventory, accounting, appointments, reminders, time tracking, payments, reporting, credits, image attachments, priority support, a white-labeled client portal and a white-labeled booking page. The annual term lowers the monthly equivalent but requires paying $399.99 upfront for the year.

ARI Pro Plus costs $59.99 a month or $599.99 a year (billed $ 49.99 Monthly). It includes the Pro feature set, with a 3000-credit one-time allotment instead of credits. That makes it the clearer fit for buyers who need that stated allotment; the higher price is not justified by an expanded set of other listed features. Both yearly plans require an annual commitment, while monthly billing avoids that upfront term.

Platforms

ARI supports Android, iOS, web and Windows, giving shops options across mobile devices and desktop environments. Its advertised 24/7 email support is at [email protected].

Who it's for

ARI targets mobile mechanics, independent technicians, auto repair shops, auto dealers and other auto care professionals. It is best suited to operators who want work orders, inspections, estimates and payments alongside a customer portal, and who can move beyond the five-item trial cap. Those needing only a free tool should compare free alternatives instead.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The portal supports progress updates, approvals, booking and payment without requiring customers to install an app or sign up.
• Pros: Paid accounts have no monthly invoice cap and no limit on added users or devices, avoiding two common constraints as a shop expands.
• Pros: The published integration roster spans payment processors and shop-related services including QuickBooks and CarFax.
• Cons: The free trial caps multiple record types at five, so it cannot serve as a practical ongoing plan for most operating shops.
• Cons: Yearly plans require a full annual payment, and Pro Plus's 3000 credits are a one-time allotment rather than a recurring monthly amount.

Alternatives

For a free web-based option, consider LxCars or Carstio. OpenAuto is another free-plan choice, with a freemium model and Windows platform support; Shop OS is also listed as free. Choose ShopKey Shop Management if you prefer a paid product supporting web, Windows, iOS and Android. GEM-CAR is a paid alternative with a free trial and wider listed platform support, including macOS; its I Standard plan is $149 a month with 100 GB storage and two included users. Mitchell 1 Manager SE is another paid option for web and Windows. Protractor may suit buyers focused on customer communication, service reminders and follow-ups, and targeted retention offers; its CRM + Online Service Scheduler plan costs $249 a month. Browse more options in Automotive Repair Software.

Verdict

ARI is a strong choice for independent repair businesses that want a wide repair workflow, customer self-service and flexible device access in one platform. Its strongest case is the linked approval, booking and payment experience alongside uncapped paid invoicing and users. Look elsewhere if a genuinely usable free plan is essential, or if a one-time credit allotment does not suit your expected usage.