ShopBrain vs AutoLeap AIR
AutoLeap AIR is the closest direct competitor — an AI receptionist built for auto repair shops. Here's how ShopBrain compares on the things that actually matter to your shop.
Feature Comparison
24/7 call answeringShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✓
Appointment bookingShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✓
Real-time repair status from your SMSShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✗
Deep Tekmetric integrationShopBrain: ✓ Native | AIR: Generic
Customer data lookup (name, vehicle, history)ShopBrain: ✓ Full context | AIR: Basic
AI estimates with parts pricingShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✗
Payment collection via textShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✗
Spanish language supportShopBrain: ✓ Built-in | AIR: ✗
SMS follow-up (confirmations, reminders)ShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: Limited
Call transcripts & dashboardShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✓
Live demo you can try right nowShopBrain: ✓ | AIR: ✓
Pricing Comparison
AutoLeap AIR
- Pay-as-you-go: $1.00/call (no monthly commitment)
- Starter: $99/mo for 200 calls ($0.75/overage)
- Growth: $199/mo for 500 calls ($0.75/overage)
- $100 setup fee may apply
- No unlimited plan available
ShopBrain
- Starter: $99/mo for 200 calls ($0.75/overage)
- Growth: $199/mo for 500 calls ($0.60/overage — cheaper than AIR)
- Pro: $349/mo — unlimited calls, zero overages
- No setup fees. Ever.
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
Where AutoLeap AIR Falls Short
AutoLeap AIR is a solid product, but it was built as an add-on to the AutoLeap ecosystem. If you use AutoLeap for shop management, AIR makes sense as a bundle. But if you use Tekmetric (or anything else), you're getting a generic answering service with limited depth.
- No real repair status — AIR can't tell a customer "Mike is installing your brake rotors right now, should be ready by 3pm." ShopBrain can, because it reads your actual Tekmetric data.
- No estimates or pricing — AIR captures leads. ShopBrain closes them by sending real estimates with parts pricing.
- No payment collection — Vehicle ready? ShopBrain can text a payment link. AIR can't.
- No Spanish support — A significant percentage of auto repair customers in the US speak Spanish. ShopBrain handles it natively.
- No unlimited plan — High-volume shops on AIR pay overage fees that add up fast. ShopBrain Pro is truly unlimited.
Where AutoLeap AIR Does Well
Credit where it's due:
- Part of the AutoLeap ecosystem — if you already use AutoLeap for shop management, AIR is a natural add-on
- Established brand — AutoLeap has been in the auto repair software space for years
- Simple onboarding — quick to set up, similar to ShopBrain
The Verdict
If you use AutoLeap for shop management, AIR is a decent add-on. But if you use Tekmetric — or want deeper AI that actually gives repair status, sends estimates, collects payments, and speaks Spanish — ShopBrain is the better choice. Same starting price, more features, no setup fee, and a free trial so you can prove it before you pay.
Try ShopBrain free for 14 days.
No credit card. No setup fee. Hear the difference for yourself.
🎙️ Try the Live Demo
ShopBrain vs Smith.ai → · ShopBrain vs Ruby → · ShopBrain vs Hiring a Receptionist →