VinSolutions, CDK eLead and DealerSocket do not publish list prices. They quote per rooftop or per user, often on annual contracts, with setup, texting and integration fees on top. DealerCenter is the exception: its CRM plans cost $99 and $199 per month, but modules stack. Compare the 12-month total cost, not the monthly price, and get every add-on in writing before you sign.
Most dealers start this search after a demo that ended with “we’ll send you a quote.” CRM pricing is one of the least transparent line items in automotive retail. Vendors quote by rooftop, by user, by bundle, or all three. The figure on the first sales call rarely matches the first invoice.
This guide collects every price we could verify for VinSolutions, CDK eLead, DealerSocket and DealerCenter, the four CRMs dealers ask us about most. We added DriveCentric too. Each figure carries a label: published by the vendor, estimated by a third-party site, or reported by users. When a vendor publishes nothing, we say so.
How much does an automotive CRM cost?
A dealership CRM costs between $99 and $2,500+ per month for a single rooftop, depending on the vendor, user count and add-ons. Tools built for independent dealers start near $99 to $199 per month. Franchise-grade platforms like VinSolutions, eLead and DealerSocket usually land between $750 and $2,500 per month, before setup fees.
| CRM | Pricing model | Publishes prices? | Typical monthly cost (one store) |
| VinSolutions Connect CRM | Per user or per rooftop | No | $1,500 to $3,500 (estimate) |
| CDK eLead | Per user | No | $2,000 to $5,000 (estimate) |
| DealerSocket CRM | Per rooftop | No | $1,500 to $3,500 (estimate) |
| DealerCenter CRM | Flat monthly modules | Yes | $99 to $199 for the CRM (published) |
| DriveCentric | Custom quote | No | Not published |
Three variables drive the final number more than anything else:
- The pricing model: Per-user pricing grows with every salesperson you hire. Per-rooftop or flat pricing stays stable as your sales team expands.
- Add-ons: Vendors often bill separately for texting volume, desking, AI assistants, credit applications and inventory tools.
- Contract length: A 12 to 36 month term can lower the monthly rate, but it also locks you in with early termination fees.
Why don’t most dealer CRMs publish their prices?
Most dealer CRM vendors keep prices private because they sell custom bundles to franchise groups. Each quote depends on rooftop count, OEM requirements, DMS integrations and the modules the group buys. A public price would anchor a negotiation the vendor prefers to control.
That works for a 20-store group with a procurement team. It does not work for a 40-car independent lot that needs a number before booking a demo. Ask these questions on the first call:
- Is the price per user, per rooftop or a flat monthly fee?
- What is the setup or implementation fee?
- How many text messages does the plan include, and what does each extra one cost?
- Which third-party integrations (DMS, credit, inventory, website) cost extra?
- What is the minimum contract length, and what does early cancellation cost?
- How much can the price rise at renewal?
How much does VinSolutions cost?
VinSolutions does not publish pricing for Connect CRM. TrustRadius and G2 both list VinSolutions pricing as “not listed by the vendor.” G2 users also rate its cost 34% above the category average for mid-market dealers.
Available VinSolutions cost estimates:
- Per user: $100 to $500 per user per month, according to SelectHub (estimate).
- Per store: $1,500 to $3,500 per month for a single-point franchise store, according to Voltra (estimate, August 2026).
- Dealer groups: $2,000 to $5,000+ per month (estimate).
Cox Automotive owns VinSolutions and built it for franchise stores that already use other Cox tools. Independent dealers often end up paying for OEM features they never use. See how it stacks up in AutoRaptor vs VinSolutions.
How much does CDK eLead cost?
CDK does not publish eLead CRM pricing. The most specific per-user estimate comes from SpotSaaS, which labels its numbers as approximate:
- Small dealers: about $99 per user per month
- Mid-size dealers: about $149 per user per month
- Large groups: custom quote
Per-store estimates point the same way. Voltra puts eLead at $2,000 to $5,000 per month for a single-point store (estimate). A store with 10 users at $149 pays about $1,490 per month before setup, texting or integrations.
eLead works best alongside the CDK dealer management system. If your store runs a different DMS, budget for extra integration work. Compare features in AutoRaptor vs CDK eLead.
How much does DealerSocket cost per month?
DealerSocket does not publish its prices. Its Selly Independent page promises “straightforward pricing” but lists no figures. Capterra shows “contact vendor” with no free trial.
Third-party estimates of DealerSocket pricing give you a starting point:
- CRM only: about $750 to $1,500 per month, according to Software Finder (estimate).
- Single franchise store: $1,200 to $2,500 per month, according to Voltra (estimate).
- Implementation: $3,000 to $15,000 per store, with integrations from $3,000 to $50,000+ (Software Finder, estimate).
- Contract: typically 12 to 36 months with early termination fees.
Solera owns DealerSocket, and your quote often depends on whether you bundle it with other Solera products. If a rep quotes a bundle, ask for the CRM line item on its own so you can compare DealerSocket pricing line by line. Then compare it in AutoRaptor vs DealerSocket.
What do DealerCenter’s plans cost?
DealerCenter is the only vendor on this list that publishes its prices. The table reflects its pricing page as of October 2026 (published):
| DealerCenter module | Monthly price |
| DMS | $99 |
| CRM Plus (lead management, 2,000 texts, mobile app) | $99 |
| CRM Pro (adds click-to-call, 4,000 texts) | $199 |
| AI Sales Agent | $99 |
| BHPH | $50 |
| Integrated Accounting | $99 |
| Premium / Premium Pro website | $99 / $125 |
| Kelley Blue Book, Black Book or MMR (each) | $64 |
| J.D. Power Values | $74 |
| eContract | $3 per contract |
| Credit reports | $3.40 to $5.70 each |
The catch with DealerCenter pricing is that modules stack.
DealerVLO calculated that a typical lot running DMS, website and feeds pays about $248 per month. Add BHPH, accounting and recon, and the total climbs to about $496 per month, or $5,952 a year.
DealerCenter lists no setup fees or contract terms. See AutoRaptor vs DealerCenter for a feature view.
What about DriveCentric pricing?
DriveCentric does not publish pricing and only offers a quote request form. A RingLead review cites dealer forum estimates of about $10,000 per month for the full suite (user-reported). Treat that as a ceiling for large franchise stores, not a typical quote. For more options, see AutoRaptor vs DriveCentric or our ranking of 30 AI-compatible automotive CRMs.
Automotive CRM pricing compared: 12-month total cost
The table estimates first-year cost for a 6-user independent dealership, using the figures above. It includes setup fees wherever a source provides them.
| CRM | Pricing model | Monthly (6 users) | Setup | Estimated year one | Source type |
| DealerCenter CRM Pro | Flat, unlimited users | $199 | Not published | $2,388+ | Published |
| CDK eLead | Per user | about $594 | Not published | $7,128+ | Estimate |
| VinSolutions Connect CRM | Per user or per rooftop | $600 to $3,000 | Not published | $7,200 to $36,000 | Estimate |
| DealerSocket CRM | Per rooftop | $750 to $1,500 | $3,000 to $15,000 | $12,000 to $33,000 | Estimate |
| DriveCentric | Custom quote | Quote only | Not published | Quote only | User-reported |
| AutoRaptor | Plan by user tier | ±50% lower than competitors | Varies per integration or feature | ±50% lower than competitors | N/A |
Your quote will vary with rooftops, add-ons and contract length. DealerCenter’s figure covers the CRM only; add $99 if you also need its DMS.
How do you calculate CRM cost per car sold?
To calculate CRM cost per car sold, divide your total yearly CRM spend by the number of vehicles you sold that year. That one number tells you more than any monthly sticker price.
Take a store that sells 40 cars a month, or 480 a year. At $7,200 per year, the CRM costs $15 per car. At $33,000 per year, it costs almost $69 per car. If the cheaper system also helps your team close two extra deals a month, the gap grows in its favor.
Run the same math on each quote and include every fee: setup, texting overages, integrations and training. A low monthly rate with heavy add-ons can become the most expensive option per car.
What hidden fees do dealership CRMs charge?
The most common hidden fees in dealership CRM contracts are setup charges, texting overages, integration fees and early termination penalties. Check for each one before you sign:
- Setup and implementation: One-time fees run from a few hundred dollars to $15,000+ per store.
- Data migration: Some vendors charge to import your customers, leads and history from the old CRM.
- Texting overages: Plans include a fixed number of messages, and a busy store passes 2,000 texts a month quickly.
- Integration fees: DMS, credit, inventory and website connections can each carry a monthly charge.
- AI and desking modules: Vendors often sell these as add-ons, even when the demo shows them as standard.
- Training: Some vendors bill onsite training days separately.
- Early termination: Multi-year contracts can make you pay out the remaining term if you leave.
- Renewal increases: Ask for a written cap on price increases.
Month-to-month vs annual CRM contracts: which is better?
A month-to-month contract suits most independent dealers because it keeps the vendor accountable. If your team does not adopt the CRM, or it does not help you sell cars, you can leave without paying out a contract.
A long term contract can make sense for a franchise group that wants a lower rate in exchange for commitment. If you sign one, get these terms in writing:
- A 60 to 90 day exit clause if the system is not live or adopted
- A cap on renewal price increases
- Free export of all your customer data in a usable format
What’s the most affordable CRM for an independent dealer?
The most affordable CRM for an independent dealer is the one that sells the most cars per dollar, not the one with the lowest monthly fee. A $99 tool your salespeople ignore costs more than a $400 tool they use on every up.
Before you compare quotes, confirm that the base plan includes:
- Lead management that pulls every lead source (website, third-party sites, phone and walk-ins) into one queue, with clean customer records
- Speed to lead, with replies to internet leads in under a minute, even after hours
- Texting, calling and email from one screen, with every conversation logged in real time
- Marketing tools and automation for follow-up cadences and repeat-sale campaigns
- A user friendly mobile app your team uses on the lot to log ups, scan licenses and text customers
- Reporting on sales activities and sales performance: response times, appointments and closing rates by salesperson
- Desking, inventory and AI in the plan, not billed as separate modules
- Customer service with a named contact, not only a ticket queue
If a vendor charges extra for three or more of these, add those costs to your 12-month total. If you run a used lot, our guide to the best CRM for your used car dealership walks through the shortlist.
How does AutoRaptor pricing compare?
AutoRaptor serves independent and small franchise dealers, with plans based on team size instead of per-seat charges. Every plan includes lead management, texting, calling and email, inventory matching, multi-vehicle quotes, 20+ dashboards, DMS and credit integrations, a mobile app with VIN and license scanning, training and automations.
| AutoRaptor plan | Users |
| Starter | 3 to 5 |
| Pro | 6 to 10 |
| Power | 11 to 15 |
| Power+ | Unlimited |
See current plans on the automotive CRM pricing page. New leads get an instant reply from the AI sales assistant, and deals move through DMS and credit integrations without double entry. You can also browse all CRM comparisons or read AutoRaptor reviews from dealers to see results from independent stores.
See AutoRaptor pricing with no fine print. Book a demo and we will show you the exact price for your team, what the plan includes and how fast you can switch.
Frequently asked questions about dealer CRM pricing
How much does VinSolutions cost per month?
VinSolutions does not publish pricing. Estimates range from $100 to $500 per user per month, or about $1,000 to $2,500 per month for a single franchise store.
How much does eLead CRM cost?
CDK does not publish eLead pricing. Third-party estimates put it at about $99 per user per month for small dealers and $149 for mid-size stores, with custom quotes for groups.
How much does DealerSocket cost per month?
DealerSocket does not publish pricing. Estimates put the CRM at about $750 to $1,500 per month per store, with implementation fees of $3,000 to $15,000.
Does DealerCenter publish its prices?
Yes. DealerCenter lists its DMS at $99 per month, CRM Plus at $99 and CRM Pro at $199, with add-on modules priced separately.
What is the cheapest CRM for car dealers?
Entry-level dealer CRMs start around $99 to $199 per month. The better measure is total cost per car sold, including setup, texting and add-ons.
Are dealership CRM contracts negotiable?
Usually, yes. Ask for waived setup fees, a renewal cap, an early exit clause and free data export, especially when you switch from a competitor.
How long does it take to switch dealership CRMs?
Most independent dealers switch in a few days to a few weeks. Data migration and the DMS integration set the pace. Ask the vendor for a written go-live date.
