DealerVLO vs. AutoManager
AutoManager is a 30-year veteran (4,000+ independent dealers) with a modular suite — DeskManager for the DMS, WebManager for the website, and Selly Automotive for the CRM — each billed as its own subscription, and a DeskManager that still ships as a Windows desktop app alongside its cloud edition. DealerVLO is the flat-price, cloud-only alternative for an independent lot: $29 a month with the DMS, website, CRM, all-50-state paperwork, e-signatures, and BHPH all included. Here's what's different.
Why dealers move
AutoManager prices its pieces à la carte: DeskManager (DMS) starts at $88/mo, WebManager (website + syndication) at $70/mo, and Selly Automotive (CRM) at $140/mo — plus add-ons like KBB and JD Power. A small lot that wants the DMS, a website, and a CRM is stacking three bills. DealerVLO bundles all of it — DMS, website, CRM, paperwork, e-sign, and BHPH — into one flat $29/month with unlimited users.
AutoManager's classic DeskManager is a Windows install with manual updates; DeskManager Online is the cloud path, but the desktop heritage is still there. DealerVLO was built cloud-first — it runs in any browser on a laptop, iPad, or phone in the showroom, always up to date, with nothing to install and no Windows-only edition.
AutoManager's strength is a very deep contracts and forms library (LAW® and Bankers Systems® installment contracts among 10,000+ forms) plus electronic-registration integrations. But it doesn't advertise blanket all-50-state title-form auto-fill. DealerVLO fills your state's official title & registration application straight from the deal — the real DMV form for the large majority of states, a print-ready worksheet for the few that don't publish one — ready to sign on day one.
Feature comparison
AutoManager pricing reflects its published plans as of September 2026: DeskManager (DMS) from $88/mo, WebManager (website + marketing) from $70/mo, Selly Automotive (CRM) from $140/mo, and a DMS + Website bundle from $144/mo — billed as separate modules, with some features (KBB, JD Power, per-vehicle posting) priced as add-ons. AutoManager does not publish setup-fee or contract terms; request a current quote. Both products evolve — check each vendor's current pricing.
| Feature | DealerVLO | AutoManager |
|---|---|---|
Price (independent used-car lot) AutoManager: DeskManager $88/mo + WebManager $70/mo + Selly CRM $140/mo, billed separately (DMS+Website bundle from $144/mo) | $29/mo ($348/yr) | $88–$298+/mo |
All-in flat price AutoManager is modular — DMS, website, and CRM are separate subscriptions | ||
Per-module pricing | ||
Per-user fees AutoManager doesn't publish per-user pricing; confirm on a quote | Partial | |
Cloud-based (no install) DeskManager Online is cloud; classic DeskManager is a Windows install | Partial | |
Runs on Mac / iPad / phone Cloud edition runs anywhere; the desktop DeskManager is Windows-only | Partial | |
Inventory + VIN auto-decode (NHTSA) | ||
Customer CRM included in base price AutoManager's CRM is Selly Automotive, a separate ~$140/mo product | ||
Public dealer website (included) AutoManager's website is WebManager, a separate ~$70/mo module | ||
Custom domain on dealer site Via WebManager (add-on) | ||
Built-in e-signatures Both built in; DealerVLO includes it at the flat price with no per-signature fee | ||
Federal documents (BoS, Buyers Guide, Odometer) Both generate them; AutoManager from its forms library | Built in, filled | |
Official state title & registration forms DealerVLO fills the real official DMV form (large majority of states) or a print-ready worksheet; AutoManager offers a state-specific forms library + e-registration integrations — a blanket all-50-state auto-fill is not published | All 50 states | Partial |
Contract & forms library depth AutoManager strength — 10,000+ LAW®/Bankers Systems® contracts and DMV forms | core forms | |
BHPH (Buy Here Pay Here) + collections AutoManager strength — mature BHPH with automated collections | Partial | |
Marketplace syndication feeds AutoManager via WebManager (250+ marketplaces) | ||
Built-in accounting (QuickBooks) AutoManager includes QuickBooks transfer; DealerVLO does its own P&L, not full accounting | ||
Unlimited team members included | Partial | |
Month-to-month, no long-term contract AutoManager doesn't publish contract terms; confirm before signing | Partial | |
Established track record AutoManager's edge — 30+ years and 4,000+ dealers; DealerVLO is the newer, modern product | Partial |
Sources & verification
AutoManager details above come from their published materials. Last checked September 17, 2026. Vendors change pricing and packaging without notice — request a current quote before you decide, and tell us if anything here is out of date.
Common questions
How does AutoManager's pricing compare to DealerVLO?+
AutoManager is modular: DeskManager (the DMS) starts at $88/month, WebManager (website + syndication) at $70/month, and Selly Automotive (the CRM) at $140/month, with some features billed as add-ons. A small lot that wants all three is looking at roughly $300/month before add-ons. DealerVLO is $29/month flat with the DMS, website, CRM, all-50-state paperwork, e-signatures, and BHPH all included and unlimited users — one bill, no modules.
Is AutoManager cloud-based or a desktop program?+
Both. The classic DeskManager is a Windows desktop application you install and update manually, and AutoManager also offers DeskManager Online, a cloud edition that runs in a browser. If you specifically use the online edition you get cloud access; otherwise the desktop lineage remains. DealerVLO is cloud-only — there's no install and no Windows-only version, so it works the same on a laptop, an iPad, or a phone.
Does AutoManager fill out my state's title and registration forms automatically?+
AutoManager provides a large state- and region-specific forms and contracts library (including LAW® and Bankers Systems® installment contracts) and integrates with electronic vehicle-registration providers, but it does not advertise a blanket all-50-state title-form auto-fill. DealerVLO starts from that end: your state's official title & registration application fills itself from the deal — the real DMV form for the large majority of states, or a print-ready worksheet for the few that only issue their form through a state portal — ready to sign with nothing to configure.
When does AutoManager make more sense than DealerVLO?+
If you need its deep forms and contracts library, built-in QuickBooks accounting, or its mature buy-here-pay-here and collections tooling — or you value a 30-year, 4,000-dealer track record — AutoManager is a fair, capable choice, and its higher-tier pieces cover a lot. DealerVLO deliberately does less: it focuses on running an independent lot's inventory, deals, all-50-state paperwork, e-signatures, and a website at one flat $29/month. If full accounting or the deepest BHPH portfolio tools are must-haves, weigh AutoManager carefully.
Is there a contract or setup fee with DealerVLO?+
No. $29/month flat, month-to-month, no setup fee, cancel any time. The 14-day trial auto-renews at $29/month unless you cancel first, and your data exports any time. AutoManager doesn't publish its setup-fee or contract terms, so ask for those in writing on a quote before you decide.
Comparing other DMS options?
Honest comparisons of dealer management software (DMS) for independent used-car dealers — against the platforms small lots consider most often.
Move off the dongle, keep the workflow.
Browser-first instead of Windows-first.
Right-sized for independent lots.
Full DMS, not just a CRM.
Leaner alternative without per-module pricing.
Independent-lot alternative to the enterprise DMS.
Right-sized for a used lot, not a franchise store.
Your own website at your own domain.
Modern UX, public pricing, included website.
Try it on your next deal.
14 days free. Cancel any time. Keep AutoManagerrunning until you're sure.