1. Lark: A complete all-in-one collaboration and process hub

When discussing the best automotive CRM software for car dealership, Lark is in a category of its own. Built as a collaboration-first platform, Lark goes beyond traditional dealership CRMs by combining lead management, document handling, communication, and workflow automation into one seamless solution.

At its center is Lark Base, a customizable database that allows dealerships to design workflows that match their sales and service processes. From managing leads and financing approvals to storing contracts and tracking service requests, Base provides the flexibility and automation car dealers need to compete in a fast-moving market.

Key features:

• Centralized customer workflow management in Lark Base: Every lead, inquiry, and service request is captured in one place, eliminating the chaos of spreadsheets and scattered systems. Customizable fields allow dealerships to track customer preferences, vehicle interests, financing eligibility, and service history. Relationship managers can link leads directly to test drives, contracts, and after-sales follow-ups, creating a complete 360° view.

• Automated lead assignment and follow-up reminders
  With customized setups, Lark Base’s Automations feature automatically routes leads to the right salesperson based on location, availability, or workload. Follow-ups for test drives, loan approvals, or missed calls are scheduled automatically, with notifications sent to both reps and customers. This reduces the risk of missed opportunities and ensures prospects get timely, consistent communication.

• Real-time dashboards tracking sales pipeline, dealer performance, and compliance: Lark Base provides built-in dashboards. that visualize key sales and compliance metrics in real time. Sales managers can track KPIs such as conversion rates, average deal size, and pending financing approvals. Compliance dashboards highlight KYC completion rates and document approval times, helping dealerships remain audit-ready.

• Secure storage and sharing of contracts, financing documents, and customer records: With Lark Docs and Wiki, contracts, financing agreements, and service receipts are securely stored in the cloud. Role-based permissions ensure sensitive documents can only be accessed by authorized staff, reducing compliance risks. Real-time collaboration on contracts allows finance and sales teams to edit, approve, and finalize documents without versioning errors.

• Built-in communication tools: Messenger, Mail, Docs, and Meetings: Sales reps can message teammates, schedule meetings with customers, and share documents without leaving the CRM. Internal approvals (e.g., financing or discount requests) happen instantly in chats or threaded comments, reducing delays. Video meetings with customers can be scheduled directly from the CRM, making remote interactions as effective as in-person visits.

• Mobile accessibility for dealership teams: Lark’s mobile app ensures sales reps working on the dealership floor or at off-site events can access customer profiles, update lead status, and communicate with colleagues in real time. Push notifications remind reps of upcoming test drives or follow-ups, improving customer responsiveness.

Best for: Lark is designed to be flexible enough for dealerships of every size, making it one of the best CRM software for car dealerships in 2025:

• Independent dealerships and small auto dealers: With Lark’s free plan and no-code setup, even smaller teams can manage leads, automate follow-ups, and track sales without investing in expensive enterprise tools. The user-friendly interface reduces training time, which is crucial for lean teams.

• Mid-sized dealerships and regional auto groups: Lark’s automation and dashboards allow managers to monitor sales pipelines, forecast revenue, and track service appointments across multiple teams. Features like document storage and secure collaboration tools eliminate paperwork headaches.

• Large dealer groups and franchise networks: Lark easily scales for bigger organizations with multiple showrooms or service centers. Managers can set role-based permissions, build compliance dashboards, and use real-time collaboration across hundreds of users without adding multiple disconnected systems.

Limitation: Beginners need to invest time to learn how to use various built-in features, which the Help Center and its AI assistant can help.

Pricing: 

• Starter plan: Free forever for up to 20 users, including 11 productivity tools, 100GB storage, 1,000 automation runs, AI translations, and more.

• Pro plan: $12 per user/month (billed annually), supports up to 500 users. Includes all Starter features plus group calls for up to 500 attendees, 15TB storage, 50,000 automation runs, and enhanced features.

• Enterprise plan: Custom pricing available upon request through our sales team. Designed for unlimited users, with advanced automation, security, compliance, and management capabilities tailored for large organizations.

2. Dealertrack: A streamlined sales and desking solution

Image source: dealertrack.com

Key features:

• Lead management & distribution: Capture, track, and route leads from multiple sources (web, phone, third-party sites) with customizable workflows.

• DMS integration: Built-in integration with Dealertrack DMS (and other Cox Automotive solutions) for seamless inventory, finance, and customer data flow.

• Desking tools: Robust desking capabilities to structure deals, compare payment scenarios, and quickly generate quotes.

• Customer engagement tools: Centralized communication hub for calls, emails, and text messaging, ensuring consistent customer follow-up.

• Analytics & reporting: Real-time dashboards with sales, performance, and compliance insights to improve decision-making.

• Mobile-friendly access: Tools optimized for on-the-go dealership staff, enabling faster responses and deal management anywhere.

Best for: Dealerships looking for a CRM tightly connected with desking and DMS systems, especially those already within the Cox Automotive ecosystem.

Limitation: Dealertrack CRM can feel complex to configure for smaller or independent dealers not using Dealertrack DMS. Some users report that integrations outside the Cox ecosystem require additional setup.

Pricing: Dealertrack CRM offers custom pricing, usually based on dealership size, number of rooftops, and desired integrations. Enterprise pricing tiers are common for larger dealer groups.

3. VinSolutions Connect: A 360° customer and dealership data platform

Image source: vinsolutions.com

VinSolutions Connect CRM is a leading automotive dealership CRM designed to provide a complete 360° view of customer interactions. Known for its seamless integration with dealership management systems (DMS) and marketing platforms, it enables sales teams to track every stage of the customer journey from initial inquiry to final sale and beyond. With powerful reporting and analytics, VinSolutions helps dealer groups streamline processes, improve customer engagement, and make data-driven decisions. Its scalability makes it a preferred choice for multi-location dealer groups that need centralized visibility across operations.

Key features

• 360° customer data profiles: Consolidates all customer information, including lead source, communication history, preferences, and purchase intent.

• Advanced reporting and analytics: Provides detailed insights into sales performance, lead sources, campaign ROI, and dealership trends.

• DMS and third-party integration: Syncs with dealership management systems to ensure smooth data flow between sales, service, and inventory management.

• Lead distribution and tracking: Automatically assigns leads to the right salesperson and tracks engagement for accountability.

• Customer lifecycle management: Supports follow-ups, service scheduling, and retention campaigns to boost long-term loyalty.

Best for: VinSolutions is ideal for large dealer groups and multi-location dealerships that require scalability, deep integrations, and advanced reporting. It’s particularly effective for organizations that want a centralized platform to oversee performance across multiple rooftops.

Limitation: The platform’s high cost can make it less practical for small or independent dealerships. Additionally, its extensive feature set may overwhelm smaller teams that don’t need enterprise-level complexity.

Pricing: VinSolutions offers premium pricing, with costs customized based on dealership size, user count, and features required. While pricing may be higher compared to smaller CRMs, the system’s enterprise-grade features and scalability justify the investment for large groups.

4. CDK Global: An enterprise-grade DMS-integrated CRM solution

Image source: cdkglobal.com

CDK Global is a trusted name in automotive retail technology, and its Automotive CRM is built for large-scale dealerships and enterprise-level dealer groups. Known for its seamless integration with CDK’s dealership management system (DMS), the platform delivers a unified approach to customer engagement, compliance, and reporting. CDK’s CRM is designed to handle complex dealership operations, offering powerful tools to track customer interactions, streamline sales, and ensure regulatory compliance. For dealerships needing advanced data security and scalability, CDK Global is a proven solution.

Key features:

• DMS integration: Full synchronization with CDK’s dealership management system for smooth coordination between sales, service, and inventory.

• Compliance and security controls: Tools for managing sensitive customer data, financing approvals, and audit trails to meet industry regulations.

• Advanced reporting and analytics: In-depth dashboards to track performance across sales reps, dealerships, and regions.

• Lead and customer management: Capture, distribute, and nurture leads with centralized tracking of all customer interactions.

• Scalable enterprise functionality: Supports multi-location dealer groups with role-based access, permissions, and enterprise-level governance.

Best for: CDK Global is best suited for large enterprise dealerships and multi-location groups that require advanced compliance support, DMS integration, and enterprise-level reporting. It’s ideal for organizations that operate at scale and need a secure, centralized platform for managing complex operations.

Limitation: The system’s complex setup and longer implementation timelines may be challenging for dealerships without large IT resources. Smaller or independent dealers may find it overwhelming compared to lighter, more user-friendly CRMs.

Pricing: CDK Global Automotive CRM is positioned at the enterprise pricing level, with custom quotes based on dealership size, user count, and modules required. Costs reflect its advanced features, integrations, and enterprise-grade compliance capabilities.

5. DealerSocket: A mobile-first tool for nurturing leads and service

Image source: dealsocket.com

DealerSocket CRM is a well-established automotive dealership CRM software that places a strong emphasis on lead nurturing, service follow-ups, and customer engagement. Its mobile-friendly design makes it particularly effective for sales representatives working on the dealership floor, allowing them to access customer data, update leads, and manage follow-ups in real time. With tools for managing sales, marketing, and service, DealerSocket helps dealerships build stronger customer relationships and increase conversion rates.

Key features:

• Lead nurturing workflows: Automates communication and follow-ups across email, SMS, and phone to keep prospects engaged.

• Service follow-up management: Tracks and schedules maintenance reminders and after-sales services to strengthen customer loyalty.

• Mobile-first design: Sales reps can update leads, check pipelines, and respond to customer inquiries directly from their smartphones or tablets.

• Marketing integration: Includes features that enable the design of campaigns targeting both new prospects and existing customers.

• Performance tracking: Provides managers with insights into sales activities, conversion rates, and rep performance.

Best for: DealerSocket is best suited for dealerships that prioritize customer engagement, service follow-ups, and mobile accessibility. It’s ideal for teams that want to manage relationships on the go while ensuring consistent customer communication.

Limitation: Some users report that the interface feels outdated and less intuitive compared to newer CRM platforms. Additionally, the system may require training for sales teams unfamiliar with its workflows.

Pricing: DealerSocket CRM utilizes a custom pricing model, with costs varying based on dealership size, the number of users, and the features required. Pricing is competitive for mid-sized dealerships but may rise with advanced marketing and integration modules.

6. AutoRaptor: A simple, affordable CRM for small dealerships

Image source: g2.com

AutoRaptor CRM is a lightweight, cost-effective automobile CRM software designed with independent and small-to-mid-sized dealerships in mind. It focuses on simplicity, ease of use, and quick deployment, making it an attractive option for dealers who prefer a simpler CRM experience. AutoRaptor provides straightforward tools for lead tracking, customer communication, and marketing, enabling dealerships to organize their sales process without overwhelming their teams.

Key features: 

• Lead tracking and management: Capture and track customer inquiries from multiple sources, ensuring every lead is logged and followed up on.

• Email and SMS campaigns: Run targeted campaigns to nurture leads and keep existing customers engaged with service reminders and promotions.

• Automated follow-ups: Set reminders for test drives, calls, and financing approvals so sales reps never miss critical touchpoints.

• Simple dashboards: Easy-to-read visual dashboards give managers a quick overview of sales activity, lead status, and rep performance.

• Quick setup and user-friendly design: Requires minimal training, allowing dealerships to get started almost immediately.

Best for: AutoRaptor is ideal for small and independent dealerships seeking a budget-friendly, user-friendly automotive CRM solution. It works particularly well for dealers that don’t need complex integrations but want an organized system to manage sales and improve follow-ups.

Limitation: Compared to larger dealership CRM systems, AutoRaptor lacks advanced analytics, enterprise-level scalability, and integrations with more sophisticated DMS platforms. This makes it less suitable for large or multi-location dealer groups.

Pricing: AutoRaptor offers a lower-cost pricing model compared to enterprise CRMs, with tiered plans based on the dealership’s size and feature requirements. This makes it one of the most affordable auto dealer CRM systems available in 2025.