You didn’t get into the auto repair business to become a bill collector. You built this business to fix cars and serve your community. Yet, if you look at where your time goes, a massive chunk is likely burned up in the back office, generating estimates, converting them to invoices, and chasing down payments.
For a shop doing $2 million or more in revenue, manual invoicing is not just annoying, it is a liability. Every minute your service advisors spend manually typing data or playing phone tag to get a credit card number is a minute they are not selling service.
The landscape of invoice software for auto repair shops has shifted. It is no longer just about generating a PDF. The new standard for 2026 is about AI operations, platforms that not only send the bill but communicate with the customer, answer billing questions, and facilitate payment without you lifting a finger.
Here is the no-nonsense guide to the best auto repair invoicing tools available right now, ranked by their ability to help you scale without the headaches.
TL;DR: Best Invoice Software for Auto Repair Shops
If you just want the shortlist, here are the top options and who they are best for:
- ServiceAgent – Best overall invoice software for auto repair shops that want AI agents, text to pay, and 24/7 call handling.
- Shopmonkey – Best for modern, all in one shop management and digital inspections.
- Tekmetric – Best for data driven auto repair shops that care about analytics.
- Square Invoices – Best for mobile mechanics and very small shops that need fast payments.
- Wave – Best budget friendly option for startups that just need basic invoicing.
What is Invoice Software for Auto Repair Shops?
Invoice software for auto repair shops is a digital system that creates, sends, and tracks invoices for automotive services while integrating with repair orders, parts, and labor. It turns complex ROs with labor codes, parts, and sublet costs into clear, customer friendly bills and helps you move from job complete to cash collected quickly.
Unlike generic accounting tools, auto specific invoicing software connects with parts ordering, labor matrices, and Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI). It translates a detailed Repair Order (RO) filled with labor codes, parts numbers, and shop fees into a clean, accurate invoice that customers can review and pay on their phones.
Why Does It Matters Now?
In 2026, invoicing is part of the customer experience, not just back office admin. Customers expect text to pay, digital invoices they can view on their phones, and instant receipts. A 2023 PYMNTS report found that 75% of consumers prefer digital communication for bills and payments. If you are still handing over carbon copy invoices or mailing bills, you signal that your shop is behind.
What Auto Repair Shops Need From Invoice Software?
If you are running a high volume shop, you cannot rely on basic tools. You need a platform that acts as a force multiplier for your front desk so advisors can focus on advising, not paperwork.
Below are the non negotiable features the best invoice software for auto repair shops should include.
1. Integration with CRM and DVI
Your invoicing tool must talk to your customer database and your inspection reports. You should never have to double enter data from a technician’s notes into a billing platform. Instead, there should be one seamless flow from intake, to DVI, to estimate, to final invoice and payment.
2. Text to Pay and Mobile Payments
Speed is currency. The ability to text an invoice link directly to a customer’s smartphone drastically reduces accounts receivable time. Customers should be able to pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit card in seconds. According to a 2022 McKinsey survey, over 80% of US consumers used some form of digital payments that year.
3. Automated Follow Ups (The AI Advantage)
This is where the game changes. You need software that does not just send the invoice but follows up on it. AI agents can now handle payment reminders and answer questions like “What is this shop supply charge?” without tying up your staff, which improves cash flow and customer satisfaction at the same time.
4. Parts and Labor Matrix Logic
Your invoice software must handle the math and pricing. It should automatically apply your markup matrices on parts and calculate labor rates based on standard book times or your custom shop rate. That way you protect margins and reduce pricing mistakes that can erode profitability.
3. Best Invoice Software for Auto Repair Shops (Ranked)
Below is a head to head comparison of the top invoice software for auto repair shops so you can see where each one fits and how ServiceAgent stacks up.
Comparison Table: Best Invoice Software for Auto Repair Shops
| Software | Price Range | Best Use Case | Industry Fit | AI Agent Features |
| ServiceAgent | Usage-based; platform free (contact sales) | Growing auto repair shops wanting AI-driven operations | Auto repair and home services | Full AI agents for calls, chat, collections |
| Shopmonkey | Approximately $250 – $650+ per month (plan-based) | All-in-one cloud shop management | Auto repair | Limited automation (rules and reminders) |
| Mitchell 1 | Approximately $300 – $500 per month plus add-ons | Shops needing OEM labor and repair data | Auto repair and collision | None |
| AutoFluent | Approximately $195 – $400 per month | Inventory-heavy or tire-focused operations | Auto repair, tire, parts | None |
| Tekmetric | Approximately $249 – $399 per month | Data-driven shops focused on KPIs | Auto repair | Limited automation |
| QuickBooks | Approximately $30 – $200 per month | Accounting and financial reporting | All small businesses | None |
| Square | Free software; processing fees apply | Mobile mechanics and very small repair shops | Many industries | None |
| Wave | Free core product; pay per transaction | Startups needing free invoicing and accounting | Small businesses | None |
This table shows how each tool handles payments, automation, and auto repair specific needs. If you want deep AI automation, voice agents, and automated collections, ServiceAgent stands apart. If you just need a traditional shop management system with DVIs, tools like Shopmonkey or Tekmetric may fit, while QuickBooks, Square, and Wave are better as simple invoicing or accounting add ons.
1. ServiceAgent – Best Overall Invoice Software for Auto Repair Shops
ServiceAgent is not just another piece of software, it is an AI Operations Platform designed to replace the patchwork of tools you are currently using. While other platforms give you a place to type out an invoice, ServiceAgent gives you an AI employee that handles the entire communication loop from booking, to estimates, to collections.
Why It Wins?
Most shops struggle not with generating the invoice, but with the communication surrounding it. ServiceAgent solves this with AI Voice and Chat agents that can answer calls, explain charges to customers based on your knowledge base, and process payments 24/7. It combines CRM, scheduling, and invoicing into one “brain” for your business.
Key Features:
- AI Voice Agents: An AI that sounds human, answers the phone, and can handle billing inquiries or take payments over the phone, 24/7.
- Unified CRM and Invoicing: Create invoices that are instantly linked to the customer’s communication and service history.
- Smart Collections: Automated workflows that follow up on unpaid invoices via text or email without being annoying.
- Stripe Connect Integration: Secure, fast payment processing that deposits money directly into your account.
- No “Per Seat” Costs: Unlike competitors that charge for every service advisor, you pay based on usage and performance.
Typical G2 rating: ServiceAgent is an emerging category leader in AI operations. Check the latest G2 profile for up to date ratings and reviews.
Pricing: Platform access is free, and you pay based on usage and performance, which aligns software costs with your revenue.
Best For: Growth focused shop owners who want to automate the busy work of billing, phones, and front desk operations so they can focus on scaling revenue.
How ServiceAgent compares: Compared with Shopmonkey or Tekmetric, ServiceAgent focuses on AI agents and revenue capture, not just managing ROs. You can pair ServiceAgent with your existing shop management system to automate calls, invoicing, and collections without ripping out your current tools.
The ServiceAgent Difference:
Imagine invoice software that answers the phone when a customer calls to ask, “Did you get my payment?” That is ServiceAgent. It is a real AI teammate for your auto repair shop, not just another tab in your browser.
Explore ServiceAgent’s AI Voice Agents
2. Shopmonkey
Shopmonkey has made waves by modernizing the look and feel of shop management. It is a cloud based all in one solution popular for its clean interface and strong mobile app.
Key Features:
- Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) integrated with estimates.
- Two way texting for approvals.
- Inventory and parts management, plus reporting.
G2 rating and pricing: Shopmonkey typically holds a strong rating on G2 in the auto repair category, and pricing usually ranges from roughly $250 to $650+ per month depending on plan and shop size. Check their site or G2 for current details.
Use cases: Great for shops looking to modernize from paper ROs and clipboards to a centralized cloud system with DVIs and texting.
Pros: Excellent user interface, great for modernizing a paper heavy shop.
Cons: Can get expensive as you add users and features, and it lacks the autonomous AI voice capabilities and automated collections workflows that ServiceAgent provides.
How ServiceAgent compares: ServiceAgent can sit alongside Shopmonkey to handle calls, invoices, and collections with AI agents while Shopmonkey manages ROs and workflow. This pairing gives you the best of both worlds.
3. Mitchell 1 (Manager SE)
Mitchell 1 is the titan of the industry, known for its deep integration with ProDemand repair data. It is a legacy choice for shops that prioritize access to OEM repair procedures over user experience.
Key Features:
- Deep integration with labor guides and parts catalogs.
- Robust reporting for accounting and shop performance.
- Long standing industry reputation.
G2 rating and pricing: Mitchell 1 tends to have solid but mixed reviews on software review platforms, often reflecting its power and its dated feel. Pricing commonly starts around $300–$500+ per month plus add ons.
Use cases: Best for shops that need OEM data at their fingertips and are comfortable with a Windows style interface.
Pros: Unmatched access to repair data and labor times.
Cons: The interface feels dated, setup can be complex, and there are no modern AI communication or invoicing automation features.
How ServiceAgent compares: ServiceAgent focuses on AI driven communication, payments, and customer experience, which you can layer on top of Mitchell 1 to modernize how you handle calls and invoices without abandoning your existing repair data tools.
4. AutoFluent
AutoFluent is a strong contender for shops that deal with massive inventory, such as tire shops or parts wholesalers who also do service. It offers robust tracking for parts across multiple locations.
Key Features:
- Multi location inventory tracking and reordering.
- Sales tracking and commission reports.
- Cloud hosted but desktop style interface.
G2 rating and pricing: AutoFluent typically receives moderate to positive reviews, especially from inventory heavy shops. Pricing often falls in the $195–$400+/month range depending on modules.
Use cases: Ideal for tire shops, parts heavy operations, and multi location businesses that care more about inventory than advanced AI automation.
Pros: Powerful for inventory heavy operations with solid reporting.
Cons: The interface is not as intuitive as newer cloud tools and has a steeper learning curve for new advisors. It also does not provide AI agents or automated invoice follow up.
How ServiceAgent compares: While AutoFluent helps track what is on your shelves, ServiceAgent helps make sure you get paid faster for the work leaving your bays, with AI agents that manage calls, texts, and invoices.
5. Tekmetric
Tekmetric positions itself as the data driven choice. It offers a clean cloud interface similar to Shopmonkey but places a heavier emphasis on analytics and transparency for the customer.
Key Features:
- Real time job board and workflow view.
- “Tech transparent” inspections sent via text.
- Strong profit margin and KPI analysis tools.
G2 rating and pricing: Tekmetric usually has strong G2 reviews and pricing that commonly ranges from around $249–$399+/month based on plan and shop size.
Use cases: Great for shops that want deep visibility into shop metrics and customer transparency.
Pros: Great visibility into shop metrics and easy to use interface.
Cons: Still relies on humans to manage all communications and follow ups, with no 24/7 AI agents built in.
How ServiceAgent compares: ServiceAgent complements Tekmetric by taking those metrics and turning them into action, with AI agents that answer calls, send invoice links, and follow up on unpaid bills automatically.
6. QuickBooks (Online or Desktop)
QuickBooks is the gold standard for accounting, but it is not a shop management system. Many small shops start here because their accountant uses it.
Key Features:
- Direct link to bank accounts and credit cards.
- Standardized financial reporting (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
- Tax and payroll support for small businesses.
G2 rating and pricing: QuickBooks Online consistently has strong ratings across review platforms. Pricing typically ranges from about $30–$200+/month depending on plan and add ons.
Use cases: Best used as a backend accounting tool integrated with a real shop management system or an AI operations platform like ServiceAgent.
Pros: Your accountant loves it and it delivers reliable financial tracking.
Cons: Poor at managing Repair Orders. It does not understand VINs, labor matrices, technicians, or DVI, and it can create double entry work if not integrated.
How ServiceAgent compares: ServiceAgent is not trying to replace QuickBooks. Instead, you use ServiceAgent to capture more revenue, speed up payments, and automate communication, then export or sync clean data into QuickBooks for accounting.
7. Square Invoices
Square is famous for its little white card reader. For mobile mechanics or very small, one bay shops, Square Invoices offers a fast way to get paid.
Key Features:
- Fast, simple mobile app with card readers.
- Accepts payments anywhere with minimal setup.
- Simple itemized invoices and recurring billing.
G2 rating and pricing: Square Invoices and Square Payments typically receive strong reviews, especially for ease of use. The invoicing app is free, and you pay standard card processing fees that are competitive for small businesses.
Use cases: Perfect for mobile mechanics, single bay shops, or side hustles that just need quick invoices and payments.
Pros: Extremely easy to set up, with quick money transfers.
Cons: Limited auto repair specific features. There are no labor guides, no parts ordering integrations, and no AI agents for follow up.
How ServiceAgent compares: ServiceAgent is built for established auto repair shops that want to automate phones, scheduling, and collections, not just swipe cards. You can still route payments through Stripe via ServiceAgent while keeping your existing bank setup.
8. Wave
Wave is a free accounting tool. If you are just starting out with zero budget, this is often where you land. It sends professional looking invoices for free.
Key Features:
- Free invoicing and receipt scanning.
- Basic accounting and expense tracking.
- Online payments available for a per transaction fee.
G2 rating and pricing: Wave usually has good reviews among freelancers and very small businesses. Core features are free, and you pay small processing fees for payments.
Use cases: Best for startups or very small shops that need basic invoicing and bookkeeping without subscription fees.
Pros: It is free to start and easy to get going.
Cons: You get what you pay for. There is no support for ROs, technicians, parts inventory, or detailed service history.
How ServiceAgent compares: ServiceAgent is built for growing shops that are ready to go beyond free tools and want AI to handle their front desk, calls, and invoicing so they can scale without hiring more staff.
Why ServiceAgent is the top Invoice Software for Auto Repair Shops?
Looking across the tools above, a pattern emerges. Most platforms are digital filing cabinets. They store data, print PDFs, and wait for your staff to do the work of calling, texting, and reminding customers.
ServiceAgent is different because it works for you.
We built ServiceAgent for owners who are tired of paying human staff to do robotic tasks. By combining invoicing, payments, and communication with a powerful AI Operations Platform, we address the real cause of cash flow issues: slow, manual customer communication.
A growing number of service businesses using AI agents report higher booking rates and faster payments across the board. Auto repair shops can tap into the same advantage.
The “Unfair” Advantage
- 24/7 Revenue Capture: Your ServiceAgent AI does not clock out at 5 PM. It answers calls, books appointments, and processes invoice payments while you sleep.
- Stop the Revenue Bleed: Missed calls are missed money. ServiceAgent answers every call instantly, ensuring new leads, approvals, and future invoices are captured.
- Consolidated Tech Stack: Instead of paying for a CRM, a phone system, a separate billing tool, and a scheduler, ServiceAgent combines them into one AI driven platform.
- Automated Chasing: Let the AI handle the awkward “you have not paid yet” texts and calls. It is polite, persistent, and effective at collecting what you are owed.
You do not need another dashboard to manage. You need a partner that executes the boring, repetitive work at scale so your team can focus on diagnostics, approvals, and customer relationships.
Conclusion: Modern Invoice Software Can Transform Your Auto Repair Shop
Invoice software for auto repair shops has evolved from basic billing to full scale operations support. The right platform should:
- Turn complex ROs into clear, mobile friendly invoices.
- Offer text to pay, digital wallets, and automated reminders.
- Integrate with your CRM, DVI, and parts suppliers.
- Use AI to handle calls, questions, and collections without adding more staff.
ServiceAgent brings all of this together with a unique AI Operations Platform that acts like a tireless front desk and billing assistant for your shop. You get faster payments, fewer missed calls, and a better customer experience, all without adding headcount.
Ready to stop chasing paper and start scaling your shop?
The future of auto repair is not just about fixing cars, it is about fixing operations.
Get your free trial of ServiceAgent today and hire your new best employee, the one that works 24/7.
FAQs
1. What is the best invoice software for auto repair shops?
The best invoice software for auto repair shops includes ServiceAgent, Shopmonkey, Tekmetric, QuickBooks, and Square. ServiceAgent stands out for AI powered invoicing, 24/7 voice agents, and automated collections, while Shopmonkey and Tekmetric are strong shop management platforms with traditional workflows.
2. Can I use QuickBooks for auto repair invoicing?
Yes, you can use QuickBooks to send invoices and manage accounting, but it is not built for auto repair. It lacks labor guides, parts matrices, and DVI features. Many shops use QuickBooks for accounting and pair it with ServiceAgent, Shopmonkey, or Tekmetric for ROs and invoicing.
3. Does auto repair invoice software integrate with parts suppliers?
Yes. Leading auto repair software like ServiceAgent (via shop integrations), Tekmetric, and Shopmonkey connect with major parts suppliers so you can pull pricing and availability directly into estimates and invoices. This helps you maintain margins and speed up approvals.
4. How much does auto repair invoice software cost?
Auto repair invoice software typically ranges from free tools like Wave, to $195–$650+ per month for full shop management platforms. ServiceAgent uses a performance and usage based model where the platform is free and you pay based on AI usage, so costs scale with your revenue.
5. What should an auto repair invoice include?
An auto repair invoice should include customer and vehicle details (name, VIN, plate), a clear breakdown of labor, parts, shop supplies, taxes, payment terms, and any warranties. Tools like ServiceAgent, Shopmonkey, and Tekmetric help standardize these details so every invoice is clear and compliant.
6. How do I reduce accounts receivable in my auto repair shop?
To reduce accounts receivable, use invoice software that supports text to pay, digital wallets, and automated reminders. ServiceAgent, for example, sends payment links via SMS, uses AI agents to follow up on unpaid invoices, and lets customers pay after hours, which speeds up collections.
