What it is
OpenAuto is shop management software for independent automotive shops. Its free core application covers estimates, repair orders, invoices, customer and vehicle records, scheduling, and analytics. Shops can order parts through the app and track technician hours and labor rates. Reporting includes profit and loss, cost of goods sold, and technician hours, giving shop operators several views of business activity.
The core application runs on Windows and is described by its maker as free and open source. It uses Python and PyQt6 with a local MySQL database. An optional FastAPI backend supports integrations and callbacks; the maker says core features run locally and describes callbacks through Cloudflare Tunnel as secure. Optional integrations and services include PartsTech, QuickBooks, Odoo, Plate2vin, SMS notifications, and Square payment processing.
The core application is free. Optional integrations and services are $0.50, billed per card transaction. The billing page says these include unlimited users, technicians, and workstations, although integration availability may vary. The maker describes this model as having no monthly fees, long-term contracts, or vendor lock-in.
Who it suits. OpenAuto suits independent automotive shops that need estimates, repair orders, invoicing, scheduling, parts ordering, and technician time tracking in one application. Its Windows desktop setup and optional accounting, parts, messaging, and payment integrations may fit shops that want to keep core features running locally.
Good to know
- Free core application for Windows.
- Open source software, according to its maker.
- Handles estimates, repair orders, and invoices.
- Supports parts ordering and technician time tracking.
- Reports include profit and loss and cost of goods sold.
- Optional integrations include QuickBooks and Square.
Watch for
- The listed platform is Windows.
- Optional integrations and services cost $0.50 (one-time).
- Integration availability may vary.
Choose OpenAuto if your shop needs a no-cost core application for estimates, work orders, invoices, scheduling, parts, and reporting. Look elsewhere if you need a platform other than Windows, or if required integrations are unavailable for your shop.
Your product? You can pay for an editorial review of OpenAuto; CarCody's editors write the verdict · from $99/mo. How it works →
Plans and prices
Core application
freeAt no cost
Core application
Optional integrations & services
$0.50, paid oncePer card transaction
Unlimited users · unlimited techs · unlimited workstations
From OpenAuto's own pricing page, read 11 October 2026. Every plan →
Its site
Getting started
- Visit https://openauto.tech/.
- Use a Windows computer for the application.
- Start with the core application, listed as free.
- Choose optional integrations or services if needed; they are billed per card transaction.
On record
- Purpose
- OpenAuto is shop management software for independent automotive shops.
- Workflow
- It supports estimates, repair orders, invoices, customers, vehicles, scheduling, and analytics.
- Parts
- The app lets shops order parts directly and manage technician hours and labor rates.
- Integrations
- The site names PartsTech, QuickBooks, Odoo, Plate2vin, SMS notifications, and Square payment processing as optional integrations.
- Architecture
- The desktop app uses Python and PyQt6 with local MySQL, while an optional FastAPI backend handles integrations and callbacks.
- Security
- The site says core features run locally and describes secure callbacks via Cloudflare Tunnel.
- Pricing limits
- The billing page says all integrations and services include unlimited users, techs, and workstations, and that integration availability may vary.
- Contracts
- The maker says there are no monthly fees, long-term contracts, or vendor lock-in for its pay-per-transaction model.
- Open source
- The maker describes OpenAuto as free and open source software.
- Analytics
- The site lists profit and loss, cost of goods sold, and technician hours among its analytics and reporting capabilities.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Work order management
- Yes
- Technician time tracking
- Yes
Questions
Is OpenAuto free?
The core application costs nothing. Optional integrations and services are listed at $0.50, billed per card transaction.
Which platforms does OpenAuto support?
Windows is the listed platform.
Is OpenAuto open source?
Yes. The maker describes OpenAuto as free and open source software.
What shop workflows does OpenAuto cover?
It supports estimates, repair orders, invoices, customer and vehicle records, scheduling, analytics, parts ordering, and technician hours and labor rates.
Which integrations are named?
Optional integrations include PartsTech, QuickBooks, Odoo, Plate2vin, SMS notifications, and Square payment processing. Availability may vary.
Are there monthly fees or long-term contracts?
The maker says its pay-per-transaction model has no monthly fees or long-term contracts, and no vendor lock-in.