Mechanic shop booking software: 2026 comparison
We compare leading booking tools for mechanic workshops in Spain: SimplyBook, Checkfront, EasyWeek and BookingCore.
If you are looking for a booking system for your mechanic shop, you have probably noticed that the best-known tools are built for generic service businesses, not specifically for garages.
That is not always bad, but it means adapting generic tools to workshop needs: slots, variable service durations, vehicle data and pre-appointment reminders.
This comparison covers the most relevant options for workshops in Spain in 2026.
What a mechanic shop needs
Before comparing tools, it helps to separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.
Must-haves
- Bookings by time slot (not only “a day”, but a concrete hour)
- Service types with different durations (oil change ≠ full inspection)
- Real-time availability (no double bookings)
- Automatic confirmation email to the customer
- Reminder before the appointment
- Block public holidays and closures
- Admin panel that works on mobile
Very useful
- Automatic licence plate lookup
- Vehicle history per customer
- Online deposit payments
- Embeddable widget on your site
- WordPress plugin
Optional depending on the shop
- WhatsApp integration for bookings
- Multi-location management
- Occupancy analytics
SimplyBook.me
SimplyBook is probably the best-known booking tool in Spain. It has a free tier, Spanish UI and a huge range of settings.
Good for workshops
- Functional free tier (up to ~50 bookings/month in typical configs)
- Many integrations
- Hosted booking page if you have no website
- WordPress plugin
Downsides for workshops
- No licence plate or vehicle management
- Configuration can be overwhelming — users report weeks to get it right
- Advanced features consume “custom feature slots” — real price climbs fast
- Limited independent service durations on basic plans
- Spanish support is thin on cheaper plans
Typical price for a medium workshop: roughly €29–€49/month plus paid add-ons.
Verdict: workable if you have time to configure and you do not need workshop-specific features. Not ideal if you want something live in days.
Checkfront
Checkfront targets tours, activities and rentals. Powerful but heavy for a small or medium garage.
Pros
- Very configurable for complex operators
- Solid support
- Inventory / resource management
Downsides for workshops
- Nothing workshop-specific (plates, vehicles)
- Higher price: roughly €42–€169/month
- UI oriented to tourism, not mechanical services
- Steep learning curve
Verdict: overkill for most workshops; price hard to justify for the features a garage actually uses.
EasyWeek
EasyWeek has grown in Spain recently. More modern than SimplyBook and easy to use.
Pros
- Clean UI
- Resource management (bays as bookable units)
- Free tier available
- Spanish support
Downsides for workshops
- No licence plate lookup
- No vehicle history
- Online payments need manual gateway wiring
- No Stripe Connect (money does not go straight to your Stripe account)
Price: roughly €15–€50/month.
Verdict: good starter option on a tight budget if you can live without workshop-specific features.
BookingCore
BookingCore is the only option in this list designed with mechanic workshops as an explicit use case.
Workshop-specific
- Automatic licence plate lookup at booking (ES/IT databases)
- Vehicle history: previous visits visible in the panel
- Configurable service types with independent duration and price
- Slot hold with countdown to prevent double bookings
- Automatic reminder 48h before the job
General
- Embeddable widget with your branding
- WordPress shortcode plugin
- Stripe Connect: payouts go to your account
- Automated emails: confirmation, reminder, post-visit survey
- Holiday blocking (country import)
- Responsive admin panel
Coming soon
- WhatsApp bot connected to the same booking engine — availability and confirmation with the same anti double-booking rules as the web widget.
Pricing: from €99/month (Starter) or €179/month (Pro with Stripe Connect and advanced features). Annual billing saves roughly two months.
Verdict: the most complete option for workshops that want a ready-made product with sector features. Higher price than alternatives, but includes capabilities others lack.
Comparison table
| Feature | BookingCore | SimplyBook | Checkfront | EasyWeek | |---|---|---|---|---| | Automatic licence plate | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | | Vehicle history | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | | Variable service durations | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | Partial | | Slot hold anti double-booking | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | | Stripe Connect | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | | White-label widget | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | | WordPress plugin | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | | Automatic reminder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Spanish support | ✓ | Partial | ✗ | ✓ | | WhatsApp bot (roadmap) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | | Base price | €99/mo | €9–49/mo | €42–169/mo | €15–50/mo |
Which should you pick?
Very tight budget, few bookings: start with SimplyBook or EasyWeek free tiers; migrate when volume justifies a richer system.
Medium–high demand, want something ready: BookingCore is the straightest path — initial setup under ~2 hours, plus guided onboarding on annual plans.
Several locations: BookingCore Pro supports up to three sites with separate calendars.
Price-only decision: SimplyBook Basic around €9/month covers basics — factor in configuration time and missing workshop features.
Conclusion
For a mechanic shop that wants to digitise appointments without weeks of setup, the choice boils down to two questions: do you need workshop-specific features (plate, history) and is online payment a priority?
If both are yes, BookingCore is currently the market option that covers both. If budget comes first and you can skip those features, SimplyBook or EasyWeek are valid starting points.
Want to see BookingCore on your workshop before you decide? Request a free demo — no obligation, no card.
FAQ
Can we migrate from SimplyBook without losing bookings?
Yes. The BookingCore team can help import data during onboarding — existing bookings via manual entry or CSV depending on volume.
Is there a permanent free plan?
No permanent free tier, but 30 days full Pro trial without a credit card.
More than three locations?
Pro supports up to three sites. For more, contact us for Enterprise or Lifetime pricing.
Does licence plate lookup work in Italy?
Yes. The tenant country setting selects Spanish or Italian plate formats and the matching database.