You need desking
VinSolutions includes a desking tool. AutoLens doesn’t do deals, F&I or paperwork.
VinSolutions alternative
AutoLens vs VinSolutions: which fits your dealership?
VinSolutions is a full dealership CRM from Cox Automotive, with desking, shopper insights and marketing automation. AutoLens is a much smaller CRM for independent and mid-size dealers: Facebook Marketplace listings, an SMS AI Responder, and a nine-stage pipeline, with prices published in Canadian dollars.
If you are a franchise store that needs desking and Cox Automotive data, VinSolutions is the better fit. If you want to be live this week on a price you can see, read on.
Side by side
What each one does.
VinSolutions details are from vinsolutions.com as of the review date below.
| AutoLens | VinSolutions | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A focused CRM for independent and mid-size car and powersports dealers | “Auto Dealership CRM & Sales Software”, part of Cox Automotive |
| Deals and desking | Not included; keep your DMS for deals | Desking tool (“Close more profitable deals, faster”) |
| Shopper data | Your own leads and inventory only | Insights “from real-time shopping behavior” across the Cox ecosystem |
| Marketing | SMS only, through a CASL consent gate | “Automated omnichannel marketing” |
| Facebook Marketplace | Captures your website inventory and prepares Marketplace listings | Not described on the page reviewed |
| AI on leads | AI Responder answers texts, books visits, hands off to a rep | AI shopper identification described; lead-reply details not on the page reviewed |
| Pricing | Published in CAD: $79 / $130 / $239 / custom | Not published; demo and sales form |
| Getting started | Self-serve sign-up and a 7-day Starter trial | Self-guided demo or a form to reach a sales rep |
Where VinSolutions wins
When VinSolutions is the better choice.
You want Cox Automotive data
VinSolutions draws on shopping behaviour across Cox Automotive. AutoLens only knows your own leads and inventory.
You market on every channel
VinSolutions describes omnichannel marketing. AutoLens is text-message only.
Where AutoLens wins
When AutoLens is the better choice.
You want to see the price
AutoLens plans are published on the pricing page in CAD, month to month, with a 7-day trial on Starter.
Marketplace is your lead source
AutoLens captures your inventory from your own website and prepares each Facebook Marketplace listing. See Facebook Marketplace for dealers.
You are an independent or powersports store
AutoLens is built for smaller lots, with powersports wording and inventory types. See who AutoLens is for.
Switching
Moving from VinSolutions to AutoLens.
There is no automated importer or connector today, so we don’t migrate your VinSolutions data for you. Most dealers start fresh on new leads and keep the old system read-only for history. On the Dealer Groups plan our team helps you move the records that matter by hand.
Talk to us before you sign so we can scope your data honestly. See the AI dealership CRM page for exactly what AutoLens does and doesn’t include.
FAQ
AutoLens vs VinSolutions questions.
- Is AutoLens a replacement for VinSolutions?
- For an independent or mid-size dealer that mainly needs Marketplace listings, text-message leads and a pipeline, it can be. It is not a replacement if you rely on desking or Cox Automotive shopper data.
- How much does VinSolutions cost compared with AutoLens?
- VinSolutions doesn’t publish pricing on its site. AutoLens is $79 CAD a month for the extension, $130 CAD for the full CRM on one account, $239 CAD for the full CRM with two seats, and custom for dealer groups.
- Does AutoLens have a desking tool?
- No. AutoLens is not a DMS, a desking tool or a credit-application system.
A CRM you can start this week.
See the AI Responder, pipeline and Marketplace listings on a 25-minute demo.
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