The short version
ARI is one of the cheapest options: $39.99/month or $399.99/year, with unlimited users and devices, and it says it is built for mobile mechanics too. Trackara Pro costs $10/month more and is not the cheaper choice. Mechanics switch for the field tools: an IRS mileage log with Schedule C reports, Route Optimizer and Day Planner, On-My-Way texts, full offline mode, and the Thumbtack lead pipeline.
Who switches from ARI, and why
The mechanics who move from ARI to Trackara Pro are mostly solo mobile mechanics and small mobile teams of 1 to 5 techs: people who work out of a van or truck at the customer's driveway, fleet yard, or campground rather than in a fixed bay. These are the reasons they give most often.
Mileage and tax reports
Trackara Pro logs business miles for an IRS-compliant record and builds Schedule C tax reports. For a mechanic driving between jobs all day, the deduction record can matter more than the $10/month price difference. ARI's pricing page does not list mileage tracking.
Planning the day
Route Optimizer and Day Planner put your stops in order, and On-My-Way ETA texts tell the customer when you are coming, with Proof of Service photos when you finish.
Offline mode
Trackara Pro runs fully offline on iOS and Android and syncs later.
Leads
The Thumbtack pipeline brings Thumbtack leads into Trackara Pro so you can quote and message from the app.
When ARI is the better fit
Trackara Pro is not built for every shop, and switching is a mistake if your business looks like this:
- Lowest cost is the priority. ARI Pro is $39.99/month and Trackara Pro is $49.99/month.
- You have several technicians who each need a login. ARI includes unlimited users and devices; Trackara Pro charges $15/month per technician login.
- You want a Windows app. ARI lists iOS, Android, Windows, and web.
- You want AI damage detection (ARI Pro Plus).
ARI vs Trackara Pro at a glance
Competitor details below come from ARI's own website. Where their pricing or product page does not mention a feature, we say so rather than guess. Ask ARI directly if a feature matters to you.
| Feature | Trackara Pro | ARI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $49.99/month or $499.99/year | $39.99/month Pro ($399.99/year) |
| Plans | One plan, every feature | Pro, Pro Plus ($59.99/month or $599.99/year) |
| Users | Assigned techs free; $15/month per extra app login | Unlimited users and devices |
| Free trial | ✓ 14 days | ✓ Free to try: up to 5 invoices, estimates, clients and vehicles |
| Built for | Mobile mechanics and small operators (1 to 5 techs) | Mobile mechanics, independent techs, shops of all sizes |
| Offline mode on the phone | ✓ Full offline on iOS and Android | Not listed on their pricing page |
| Mileage tracking for taxes | ✓ IRS mileage log + Schedule C reports | Not listed on their pricing page |
| OBD2 scanning in the app | ✓ Bluetooth ELM327 adapters | ✓ OBD scanner in the mobile app (per its homepage) |
| Route planning | ✓ Route Optimizer + Day Planner | Not listed on their pricing page |
| On-my-way texts | ✓ On-My-Way ETA + Proof of Service | Not listed on their pricing page |
| Digital inspections | ✓ Photo on iOS and Android, video on iOS | ✓ Inspections on Pro |
| Online booking | ✓ Online Booking Portal | ✓ White-labeled client portal and booking page |
| Card payments | ✓ Card payments through your Square account | ✓ Payment processing on Pro |
| Integrated parts ordering | ✗ Not available yet | Inventory management on Pro |
| Multi-bay shop workflow | ✗ Not built for bays | Not listed on their pricing page |
ARI details checked September 25, 2026 on ari.app/auto-repair-software-price/ and ari.app/. Prices change; check ARI's site for current pricing.
Pricing: ARI vs Trackara Pro
ARI lists Pro at $39.99/month or $399.99/year ($33.33/month), and Pro Plus at $59.99/month or $599.99/year ($49.99/month). Paid accounts include unlimited users and devices. You can try it free for up to 5 invoices, estimates, inspections, clients, and vehicles.
Trackara Pro is $49.99/month or $499.99/year with every feature. Technicians you assign work to are free; a technician who needs their own app login is a $15/month seat.
ARI Pro is $100/year less than Trackara Pro on annual billing. ARI Pro Plus is $100/year more. With technicians who need logins, ARI's unlimited users widen its price advantage. Choose Trackara Pro for the field tools, not to save money.
Switching from ARI to Trackara Pro
You do not need to re-type your customer list. Most mechanics switch in an afternoon and run both systems side by side for a week or two.
- Start the trial. Create your account, pick your business type, and install the app on iPhone, iPad, or Android. Your subscription also includes the web portal at shop.trackara.app.
- Export from ARI. Download your customer list and, if you track stock, your parts list as CSV or Excel files. ARI's support can tell you where their export lives.
- Import in the web portal. In Settings, open Data Import and Export and upload the file. The Data Import tool has an ARI preset for its customer, vehicle, and parts export column names, including make, model, year, VIN, and plate. The importer handles customers with their vehicles, parts inventory, suppliers, and past invoices, quotes, and work orders, and it shows a preview with counts and sample rows before anything is saved.
- Rebuild your common jobs. Save your usual services as frequent jobs so quotes take a few taps, and set up inspection templates.
- Connect payments. Card payments run through your own Square account: Trackara Pro sends a Square-hosted payment link, and the money goes straight to you.
- Turn on mileage tracking from day one so your mileage log and tax reports start filling in.
- Cancel ARI once your open jobs are finished and you are comfortable.
Questions during the switch? Call or text support at +1 (801) 946-9396 or email support@trackara.app.
Read the full Trackara Pro vs ARI comparison A longer, feature-by-feature write-up of where each product wins.ARI alternative FAQ
Is ARI cheaper than Trackara Pro?
Yes. ARI Pro is listed at $39.99/month or $399.99/year, with unlimited users and devices, as of September 2026. Trackara Pro is $49.99/month or $499.99/year. Technicians you assign work to are free, and a technician who needs their own app login is a $15/month seat.
Why would a mobile mechanic switch from ARI?
For field tools: an IRS mileage log with Schedule C tax reports, Route Optimizer and Day Planner, On-My-Way ETA texts with Proof of Service, full offline mode, and the Thumbtack lead pipeline.
When should I stay on ARI?
If lowest cost matters most, if several technicians each need a login, or if you want a Windows app, ARI is a strong choice.
Can I import my ARI data?
Yes. Export from ARI as a spreadsheet and use Settings, Data Import and Export in the Trackara Pro web portal. It has an ARI preset that maps customers, vehicles, and parts, and previews every row before saving.
Does Trackara Pro have a free trial?
Yes, 14 days with every feature. You add a card at signup and are not charged until day 15.
Try the ARI alternative free for 14 days
Quotes, invoices, scheduling, inspections, mileage tracking, OBD2, and route planning in one app for iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web. $49.99/month or $499.99/year, every feature included.
Start your 14-day free trial14-day free trial. You add a card at signup and are not charged until day 15, so you can cancel before then and pay nothing.