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Shop Controller
What Shop Controller is
Shop Controller is cloud-based shop management software for independent auto repair businesses. It brings estimates, repair orders, invoicing, job and bay management, parts and inventory tracking, and technician tablets into one platform. Customer tools include digital vehicle inspections, two-way texting, online scheduling, vehicle histories, and an AI assistant that answers calls and texts and books appointments. Shops can also run service reminders and deferred-work follow-ups, send email, text, and direct-mail campaigns, manage reviews, and use shop websites. Payment options include cards, terminals, text-to-pay, and payment links; business reporting and QuickBooks workflows are also included. The platform runs in web browsers and supports Android and iOS. The maker lists several shop types, from independent repair and commercial fleet to tire and quick-service businesses. Membership includes guided data conversion, team training, and ongoing U.S.-based support. The subscription is month to month, with no per-user charge. The listed plan charges $99 a month for the first month, then $199 per month for months two through twelve, locked in for the first year.
Who it suits
It suits independent repair, fleet, transmission, tire, and other listed shop types that want shop operations and customer communication in one platform. Browser access and technician support for tablets or phones may fit teams using different devices.
What it does well
- Includes estimates, repair orders, invoicing, and bay management.
- AI assistant answers calls and texts and books appointments.
- Supports card, terminal, text-to-pay, and payment-link payments.
- Membership includes guided conversion, team training, and support.
- Unlimited users, technicians, and repair orders on the listed plan.
What to know first
- No free plan; pricing is paid.
- First month is 99.00 USD, then $199 monthly through month twelve.
- Annual first-year price is locked in despite month-to-month billing.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One plan — full platform access | $99 for your first month; months 2 through 12 are $199 per month, locked in for your entire first year · Unlimited users · Unlimited technicians · Unlimited repair orders · 30-day money-back guarantee | $99 a month |
As shopcontroller.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Shop Controller combines core repair-shop workflows with customer engagement, marketing, payments, and reporting. Consider the first-year price and its tools against the needs of your shop.
Facts from Shop Controller's own pages
- Cloud access
- The maker says the cloud platform provides access from anywhere and keeps workflows and records connected without shop servers or manual updates. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Customer engagement
- Features include digital vehicle inspections, two-way texting, online scheduling, customer and vehicle history, and an AI assistant that answers calls and texts and books appointments. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Chandler, Arizona, United States · shopcontroller.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Listed integrations include QuickBooks Desktop and Online, Stripe, Auto Shop Content, Bolt On Technology, My Shop Manager, Epicor, Nexpart, OEC RepairLink, PartsTech, WORLDPAC SpeedDial, CARFAX, MOTOR, and ProDemand. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Marketing
- It offers deferred-work follow-ups, service reminders, email, text and direct-mail campaigns, review tools, and shop websites. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Onboarding and data migration
- Membership includes guided historical data conversion, team training, and a waived $500 data-conversion fee; the FAQ names several supported migration sources. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Payments and reporting
- The platform supports card and terminal payments, text-to-pay, payment links, business reporting, and QuickBooks back-office workflows. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Pricing terms
- The pricing FAQ says the subscription is month to month, can be canceled at any time, and has no per-user charge. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Shop Controller is a cloud-based shop management platform for independent auto repair owners. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Shop operations
- It provides estimates, repair orders, invoicing, job and bay management, parts and inventory tracking, and technician tablets. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- Membership includes ongoing support from a U.S.-based customer service team; the FAQ also describes guided onboarding, video walkthroughs, and live shop-hour support. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported devices
- The FAQ says the software runs in standard web browsers; technicians can use iPads, Android tablets, or smartphones, and service writers can use Windows PCs or Macs. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported shop types
- The maker lists independent auto repair, custom modification and speed, commercial fleet, transmission and rebuild, and tire and quick-service shops. · shopcontroller.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where Shop Controller stands on Freedom251
- Garage Management software#13 of 22
- Automotive Repair Software#30 of 33