Compare total cost over the same period, three or five years, including every user, add-on and renewal, not just the first month. A one-time licence has a larger first cost and little afterwards; a subscription spreads cost but continues for as long as you use it. Use your own quotes in a simple table.
A template
| Item | One-time licence | Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Licence price | Setup fee, if any |
| Monthly cost | None (or optional support) | Monthly fee × number of users |
| Add-ons | Priced once | Recurring |
| Year-1 total | ||
| Year-3 total | ||
| Year-5 total |
Fill in each column from real quotes. Count every user who will need a login.
Hidden items to check
- Per-user charges when you add staff.
- Fees for features such as texting, websites or integrations.
- Charges to export your data or close the account.
- Annual price increases.
- For installed software: the cost of the computer and of backups.
Things to consider
Cash flow matters as much as total cost. A start-up may prefer small monthly payments; an established lot may prefer a one-time cost. Dealer Garage's pricing is Free, $99 once for Basic and $149 once for Pro.
A worked example
Suppose a hosted system costs $200 per user per month and you have three users. Over 36 months that is $21,600. A one-time $149 licence plus a $600 computer and an hour a month of your time looks very different, though it does less in some areas. Replace these numbers with real quotes for the products you are comparing, and include what you would do without the missing features.
Questions people ask
Are there any ongoing fees with Dealer Garage?
No. The licence is a one-time purchase.
Illustrative only. Prices vary and change; use current quotes.
Try Dealer Garage
Dealer Garage is installable dealer management software for independent used-car dealers in the US and Canada: inventory, leads, deals, dealer paperwork, Facebook Marketplace posting and email campaigns, with records stored on the dealership's own computer..