Tool profile
Shop-Ware: cost, fit and limits
Shop-Ware is a cloud shop management system made by Shop-Ware, part of the Vehlo group, that handles repair orders, inspections, parts, texting and payments for independent auto repair shops, with an AI Parts Matrix and an AutoWrite writing assistant.
What to know first
Shop-Ware sells three packages, Startup, Pro and Master, priced at $279, $389 and $499 a month, with a lower rate when billed annually. Unlimited users come with every package. The AI Parts Matrix is on the entry tier, while AutoWrite, native parts catalog and API connections begin at Pro. The packages page asks for a demo, and the pages we read say nothing about data hosting or model training.
Shop-Ware at a glance
| Maker | Shop-Ware (part of the Vehlo group), Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | $279 per month ($251 per month billed annually) |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI Auto Repair Shop Software in 2026, rank 1 of 10 |
| Website | shop-ware.com |
Who Shop-Ware is best for
Growing independent shops
Unlimited users on every package means adding advisors and technicians does not change the bill, which suits a shop planning to staff up over the next year.
Shops that price parts by rules
The AI Parts Matrix is on the lowest package, so a shop that marks parts up by cost bands can try it without paying for the upper tiers.
Owners who write long repair notes
AutoWrite on Pro is described as a writing assistant, aimed at advisors who spend time turning technician findings into customer-facing wording.
Shop-Ware plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | $279 per month ($251 per month billed annually) | Unlimited users, AI Parts Matrix, DVX maintenance builder, limited two-way texting, Shop-Ware Payments and the core repair order tools. |
| Pro | $389 per month ($350 per month billed annually) | Startup plus unlimited texting, MOTOR labor guide, native parts catalog, OE specs, API connections, batch payments and AutoWrite. |
| Master | $499 per month ($449 per month billed annually) | Everything in Pro plus a business analytics suite for owners who track performance across the shop. |
Checked November 2026.
What Shop-Ware does
- AI Parts Matrix
- Named on the Startup package, this feature applies pricing rules to parts. The pages read do not describe how the matrix is trained, so a trial should test it on your own cost bands.
- AutoWrite assistant
- A writing assistant on the Pro package that drafts text for repair orders. The vendor pages we read do not say which model powers it or whether drafts leave the platform.
- DVX maintenance builder
- Listed on every package, it builds maintenance recommendations inside the inspection flow, so the advisor can turn findings into a service list without retyping them.
- Native parts catalog and OE specs
- Pro adds a catalog inside the system plus original equipment specifications, so lookups for a part number or torque value stay in the repair order and out of a second browser tab.
- Shop-Ware Payments
- Payments are built in on all packages, and Pro adds batch payments for shops that close several tickets at once. Processing rates are not printed on the packages page.
How Shop-Ware handles your data
The pages we opened, the packages page, the privacy policy and the about page, do not state whether customer or vehicle data is used to train AI models, how long records are kept after cancellation, or which region hosts them. No security certification is named either. The privacy policy covers site visitors and personal data in general terms. A shop should ask for those four answers in writing, since the AI Parts Matrix and AutoWrite both process shop records, and customer phone numbers and plates sit in the same system.
Where Shop-Ware falls short in practice
- Packages are sold through a demo. The packages page shows prices but routes each package to a demo request, so a shop cannot sign up and test the Pro features on its own. Plan a call before you can see AutoWrite working.
- Texting is capped on the entry tier. Startup carries limited two-way texting, and unlimited texting begins at Pro. A busy shop that approves work by text can hit the cap and pay $110 more a month to remove it.
- No stated data policy. Hosting region, retention and AI training use are all absent from the pages read, which matters more for a product with several AI features than for a plain scheduler.
Works with
Alternatives to Shop-Ware
Shop-Ware: common questions
Which Shop-Ware package includes the AI Parts Matrix?
The AI Parts Matrix is listed on Startup, the $279 monthly package, and Pro and Master include everything in Startup. AutoWrite is listed separately on Pro. The pages we read do not explain how the matrix learns, so ask for a live example using your own parts cost bands during the demo.
How much cheaper is Shop-Ware when billed annually?
Annual billing shows $251 a month for Startup, $350 for Pro and $449 for Master, against $279, $389 and $499 on monthly billing. That is about $28, $39 and $50 less per month. The packages page does not state a contract length or cancellation terms, so confirm them before choosing annual.
Does Shop-Ware have an API for outside tools?
API connections are listed on the Pro package, and the pages do not describe endpoints or rate limits. A shop that needs to push repair orders into a reporting tool should ask for the documentation first, and confirm whether Startup customers can buy the connection separately.
Is there a Shop-Ware AI receptionist?
The features menu lists an AI Receptionist under Customer Experience, but the packages page we read does not say which package includes it or what it costs. Treat it as a feature to ask about on the demo call rather than as part of the printed prices.
Who owns Shop-Ware?
The about page says Shop-Ware was founded in 2013 by Carolyn Coquillette and is part of the Vehlo group. A headquarters country is not stated on the pages we read. Shop Boss and Protractor also name Vehlo, so a shop comparing them should know some of the shortlist share a parent.