Autivo vs Tekmetric: Marketing & Retention Tools Compared

## Quick Verdict

Tekmetric is one of the most popular shop management systems (SMS) in independent auto repair. It excels at workflow, inspections, and shop floor operations.

Autivo is a customer-facing platform: branded mobile app, CRM, booking, rewards, and marketing automation designed to drive repeat visits.

These tools are complementary, not identical competitors. Many shops use Tekmetric for operations and a separate platform for customer retention. This comparison focuses on what each offers for marketing and customer engagement.

Branded Mobile App

Autivo provides a white-label iOS and Android app for your customers — booking, rewards, vehicle info, and push notifications under your brand.

Tekmetric does not offer a customer-facing mobile app. Its mobile experience is built for technicians and service advisors inside the shop.

If customer retention through a branded app is the goal, Autivo fills a gap Tekmetric was not designed to address.

Online Booking

Tekmetric offers online scheduling integrated with its shop management workflow.

Autivo provides customer-facing booking through the branded app and website embed, with automated SMS and push reminders.

Shops on Tekmetric may already have booking covered. Autivo adds the customer app layer and push reminder channel on top.

Marketing and Communication

Tekmetric includes basic customer communication features and integrations with third-party marketing tools.

Autivo is built for retention marketing: automated service reminders, promotional pushes, 2-way SMS inbox, missed-call text-back, and AI call transcription.

Tekmetric runs the shop. Autivo grows the customer relationship after the RO closes.

CRM and Customer Data

Tekmetric stores repair orders, vehicle data, and customer records as part of shop operations.

Autivo maintains a retention-focused CRM — communication history, app engagement, rewards balances, membership status, and campaign performance.

The data overlaps but serves different purposes: Tekmetric for operations, Autivo for marketing and repeat business.

Rewards and Memberships

Autivo includes loyalty points, referral programs, and Stripe-powered membership tiers surfaced in the customer app.

Tekmetric focuses on operational efficiency rather than customer loyalty programs.

Shops wanting to monetize recurring service plans or points-based loyalty need a dedicated retention platform like Autivo.

Pricing and Setup

Tekmetric pricing is per-user/per-location for shop management.

Autivo pricing is tiered for customer-facing features (Core, Growth, Pro).

Budget for both if you want best-in-class operations *and* retention. Compare Autivo's cost against the revenue lift from repeat visits and reduced SMS spend via push.

Where Tekmetric Wins

• Industry-leading shop management and workflow
• Digital vehicle inspections and technician tools
• Robust reporting on shop operations and profitability
• Large integration ecosystem

Where Autivo Wins

• Branded customer iOS and Android app
• Push notifications without per-message SMS fees
• Purpose-built retention CRM and marketing automation
• Rewards, referrals, and memberships in one platform

Can You Use Both?

Yes — and many shops should.

Tekmetric handles the bay. Autivo handles the customer relationship. They solve different problems for the same shop.

If you are evaluating whether Autivo replaces Tekmetric: it does not. If you are evaluating whether Autivo adds what Tekmetric lacks for customer retention: it does.

Decision Checklist

Stick with Tekmetric alone if operations are your only software priority right now.

Add Autivo if you want a customer app, push marketing, loyalty programs, and automated retention on top of your shop management system.

Book a free demo to see how Autivo works alongside Tekmetric — or whatever shop management system you use today.