OneBookPlus vs Workshop Software
The complete automotive platform
Workshop Software handles vehicle history, parts and reminders well, but the books still live in Xero or MYOB, marketing runs through a third-party tool, and there's no insurer-specific repair portal. OneBookPlus puts the workshop, the accounting and the marketing in one app.
Key takeaways
5- Workshop Software publishes its prices, billed per workshop with additional user logins charged on top. The current figures are in the pricing row of the cited comparison table below. It has no built-in accounting, so an AU workshop also carries a Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks subscription for the books.
- OneBookPlus is the all-in-one alternative: vehicle directory + jobs + parts + invoicing + accounting + bookings + marketing + reviews bundled from $0/month (Free), $29/month (Starter), $49/month (Plus), or $69/month (Growth). AUD billing, no per-user scaling on smaller plans.
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- Both handle the workshop fundamentals: customer-vehicle directory, parts catalogue, job scheduling, GST-compliant invoicing, capped-price logbook service tracking, automatic service and rego reminders, and Xero/MYOB integration.
- Workshop Software wins on: 15+ years of automotive-specific feature depth, mature bay scheduling for 5+ bay operations, and the integrations ecosystem (Capricorn, Repco, Burson, MYOB) the larger workshops have already invested in.
- OneBookPlus wins on: accounting and BAS bundled rather than a second subscription, CTP green-slip expiry tracking alongside rego, an insurance repair portal with per-insurer SLA timers, email marketing and Google review requests without a third-party tool, and a free plan.
What you get with each platform
OneBookPlus
From $0/mo. Everything included
- Customer-vehicle directory + VIN scan
- Rego & CTP reminders (free)
- Workshop bay scheduler
- Parts catalogue + auto-PO reorder
- Digital inspection with photos
- SMS quote approval for variations
- Insurance repair claim workflow
- Built-in accounting & BAS
- Google review automation
- Email marketing & campaigns
Workshop Software
Published per-workshop tiers. Workshop ops only
- Customer-vehicle directory
- VIN decoder (camera scan)
- Service & rego reminders
- CTP green-slip tracking
- Workshop bay scheduler
- Parts catalogue
- Digital inspection with photos
- SMS quote approval
- Insurance repair workflow
- Built-in accounting / BAS
Workshop Software column based on its public pricing, features and integrations pages, checked August 2026; capabilities shown as unavailable are not documented there.
OneBookPlus vs Workshop Software: detailed comparison
See exactly what's included in each platform. OneBookPlus replaces Workshop Software plus the Xero subscription Australian workshops typically pay for on top.
| Feature | OneBookPlus | Workshop Software |
|---|---|---|
| Customer-vehicle directory | ||
| VIN decoder (phone-camera scan) | ||
| Service & rego renewal reminders | ||
| CTP green-slip expiry tracking | ||
| Workshop bay scheduler | ||
| Parts catalogue + min-stock reorder | ||
| Digital vehicle inspection with photos | ||
| SMS quote approval for mid-job variations | ||
| GST-compliant invoicing | ||
| Logbook service intervals + reminders | ||
| Insurance repair claim workflow (IAG, Suncorp, AAMI) | ||
| Tyre tread depth tracking per wheel | ||
| Built-in accounting + BAS export | ||
| Google review automation without a third-party tool | ||
| Email marketing built in (no Mailchimp subscription) | ||
| Bank feed reconciliation | ||
| Mobile app for the workshop floor | ||
| Free plan available | ||
| Parts-supplier catalogue integrations (Repco, Bursons) | ||
| Longer workshop-industry track record | ||
| Price (AUD) | From $0/mo | Published per-workshop tiers |
| All included | + Xero/MYOB for accounting |
Items marked unavailable are not documented on Workshop Software’s own pages; the current prices are in the pricing row of the cited table below.
The 16 dimensions Australian workshops check first
Where the gap between a dedicated mechanical-workshop tool and an all-in-one AU-tax-native platform shows up, from parts and bay scheduling and logbook on one side; bundled accounting, BAS, rego reminders and marketing on the other. Cited against Workshop Software’s public pages.
| Category | Feature | OneBookPlus | Workshop Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core workshop | Customer-vehicle directory + service history | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling | Workshop bay scheduler / job board | Yes | Yes |
| Parts | Parts catalogue + supplier ordering | Yes | Capricorn / Repco parts integrations (source: workshopsoftware.com/integrations) |
| Logbook | Capped-price logbook service intervals | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | GST-compliant tax invoices + ABN | Yes | Yes |
| Bookings | Customer-facing online booking widget | Yes | Yes, customer online booking diary from the Gold tier (source: workshopsoftware.com pricing) |
| Rego / CTP | Rego + CTP green-slip expiry reminder workflow | Yes | Automatic service, registration and booking reminders; CTP green-slip not documented (source: workshopsoftware.com pricing) |
| Insurance | Insurer-specific repair claim workflow (IAG, Suncorp) | Yes | Not documented (source: workshopsoftware.com/features) |
| Accounting | Built-in P&L, balance sheet, expense tracking | Yes | Via Xero/MYOB only (source: workshopsoftware.com/integrations) |
| GST / BAS | BAS-ready reports (G1, 1A, 1B) | Yes | Via Xero/MYOB only (source: workshopsoftware.com/integrations) |
| Bank feeds | Australian bank feeds + AI categorisation | Withdrawn while we replace the provider | Via Xero/MYOB only (source: workshopsoftware.com/integrations) |
| Marketing | Email campaigns + Google review automation | Built in | Via Mailchimp / Podium integrations on higher tiers (source: workshopsoftware.com pricing) |
| Mobile | Native iOS app + mobile web (works on Android) | Native iOS + web app | Free iOS + Android app (source: workshopsoftware.com pricing) |
| Integrations | Accounting + parts + payments ecosystem | Xero, MYOB, Stripe, ABN lookup | Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, Capricorn, Repco, Burson (source: workshopsoftware.com/integrations) |
| Pricing model | What the plan actually costs | Per business: $0 / $29 / $49 / $69 a month, inc. GST | Per workshop: from $119/mo + GST ($99 billed annually); extra users $20/mo + GST (source: workshopsoftware.com pricing) |
| Free plan | Genuinely free entry plan | Yes | Free trial only (source: workshopsoftware.com pricing) |
| Starting price (AUD, inc. GST) | From $0/mo | Published, see pricing row | |
| Inc. GST · per business · accounting bundled | Per workshop · extra users on top · Xero/MYOB needed for accounting |
Where Workshop Software wins
Credit where it’s due
Workshop Software has spent 15+ years building for one room: the mechanical workshop floor. That focus is real. Bay scheduling and tech-skill routing handle a busy 5+ bay shop cleanly, the capped-price logbook and labour-unit handling are tuned to how Australian mechanics actually quote, and the parts side plugs straight into the Capricorn and Repco supply chains larger workshops already buy through (see their integrations page). If you run a multi-bay, multi-tech operation with a workshop manager whose day is the scheduling board, that depth is bought and paid for, switching isn’t urgent.
Where OneBookPlus wins
Three differences that compound
Accounting and BAS are bundled, not a separate Xero bill. Workshop Software does workshop operations, then hands your numbers to Xero or MYOB, the only accounting paths on its integrations page. That’s two subscriptions, two sync points, and a reconciliation tax every BAS quarter. OneBookPlus ships P&L, balance sheet, expense tracking, GST tracking and quarterly BAS (G1, 1A, 1B) inside the same subscription: one source of truth for the workshop and the books.
CTP green slips and insurance work, where the point tool stops. Workshop Software’s pricing page lists automatic service, registration and booking reminders, so rego renewals are handled there too. What isn’t documented is the CTP green-slip side or an insurer-specific repair claim portal. OneBookPlus ships both: SMS at 30, 14 and 3 days before rego or CTP expiry with reply-to-book, and an Insurance Repair Portal with SLA timers and photo evidence packs for IAG, Suncorp, AAMI, Allianz and RACV.
One bill per business, and a free plan. Workshop Software charges per workshop with each extra user login billed on top, and the books sit in a separate Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks subscription. OneBookPlus runs $0 to $69/month per business on smaller plans with accounting and BAS inside it, plus email campaigns and Google review requests that Workshop Software routes to Mailchimp or Podium.
Why Australian workshops are switching from Workshop Software to OneBookPlus
Rego and CTP expiry, not just service intervals
Workshop Software sends automatic service, registration and booking reminders. What its pages don't cover is the CTP green slip. OneBookPlus tracks rego and, in NSW, CTP expiry per vehicle and sends SMS at 30, 14 and 3 days out, so a customer who is due can book by replying to the text.
Ditch the Xero add-on
Workshop Software routes accounting to Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks, so the books are a second subscription. OneBookPlus includes P&L reports, expense tracking, BAS summaries, and GST compliance. One subscription, not two.
One bill instead of two
A Workshop Software plan plus an accounting subscription is two renewals, two logins and a reconciliation job every BAS quarter. OneBookPlus is a single published price with the workshop file, the books and the marketing inside it.
Insurance repair claim workflow
An insurer-specific repair claim portal isn't documented on Workshop Software's pages. OneBookPlus ships an Insurance Repair Portal app with pre-built workflows for IAG, Suncorp, AAMI, Allianz and RACV, SLA timers, photo evidence packs, and a supplementary thread the assessor reviews on their phone.
Google review requests after every paid invoice
Workshop Software's higher tiers connect to Podium and Mailchimp for reviews and campaigns, which is another subscription to buy and wire up. OneBookPlus sends a review request after every paid invoice with a 1-3 star buffer that routes negative drafts to you first, in the same app as the invoice.
Quote from the phone, in the bay
Both platforms have a phone app; Workshop Software ships free iOS and Android apps for time clocking, job status and notes. OneBookPlus is built mobile-first end to end, so you can scan a VIN, build the quote, send it for SMS approval and raise the invoice without opening a laptop.
OneBookPlus vs Workshop Software: your questions answered
How does OneBookPlus compare to Workshop Software for an Australian workshop?
They overlap on the workshop floor and diverge on the back office. Workshop Software is solid on vehicle history, parts, bay scheduling, timesheets, online bookings on its higher tiers, and automatic service and registration reminders. What it hands to another product is the money side: its own pages list Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks as the accounting path, and marketing runs through Mailchimp or Podium rather than being built in. OneBookPlus keeps the workshop file, the accounting, BAS, email marketing and Google review requests in one subscription, and adds a CTP green-slip expiry workflow and an insurer-specific repair portal that Workshop Software's pages don't document. If you already pay for Xero and are happy with it, Workshop Software works. If you would rather run one subscription, OneBookPlus is the closer fit.
Can OneBookPlus replace Workshop Software and Xero together?
Yes. OneBookPlus handles the customer-vehicle directory, parts catalogue, job scheduling, invoicing and service history that workshops use Workshop Software for. It also includes accounting on a double-entry ledger, P&L reports, BAS summaries and GST compliance, replacing the Xero subscription you need alongside Workshop Software.
How much does Workshop Software cost compared to OneBookPlus?
Workshop Software publishes its tiers on its own pricing page, and the current figures are in the pricing row of the comparison table above. They are billed per workshop rather than per seat, with additional user logins charged on top, and because accounting sits in Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks you carry a second subscription for the books. OneBookPlus is $0 (Free), $29 (Starter), $49 (Plus) or $69 (Growth) per month for the whole business with accounting and BAS included, so the honest comparison is one bill against two.
Does OneBookPlus do rego and CTP reminders like Workshop Software?
Workshop Software's pricing page lists automatic service, registration and booking reminders on every tier, so rego renewals are covered there too. What isn't documented is the CTP green-slip side. OneBookPlus ships a free Rego & CTP Reminders app that tracks both rego and, for NSW, CTP green-slip expiry per vehicle, sends SMS and email at 30, 14 and 3 days out, and lets the customer book by replying to the text rather than calling back.
What about insurance work, does OneBookPlus support it?
Yes. The Insurance Repair Portal app supports the standard claim workflow for IAG (NRMA/CGU/SGIO), Suncorp (AAMI/GIO/Apia), Allianz, RACV and other major Australian insurers. SLA timers, photo evidence pack export, supplementary-quote thread the assessor reviews on their phone, and per-insurer profitability reporting. Workshop Software covers general job tracking, but an insurer-specific claim workflow isn't documented on its features page (checked workshopsoftware.com/features).
Is Workshop Software better for larger multi-bay workshops?
Workshop Software has more years of mature workshop-specific feature depth and a deeper bay scheduling implementation. If you run 5+ bays with complex tech-skill routing and have a workshop manager dedicated to the system, Workshop Software is the established choice. For independent and small-to-mid workshops (1-4 bays) who want one platform that covers workshop + accounting + marketing + reviews, OneBookPlus is the better fit.
How does OneBookPlus compare to Workshop Software for a workshop that also needs its books done?
The two start from opposite ends of the same job. Workshop Software focuses on workshop operations and routes accounting to Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks, so you run two subscriptions and reconcile between them. OneBookPlus combines vehicle history, parts, jobs, invoicing, accounting, BAS reports, marketing and review automation in one book, built for Australian tax compliance from day one, which suits Australian mechanics, panel beaters, tyre shops and auto electricians who would rather pay for one platform. The trade-off is real: Workshop Software has more years of automotive-specific depth and a more mature bay scheduler, so a larger multi-bay workshop with a dedicated manager may be better off staying where it is.
How OneBookPlus replaces Workshop Software, and your accounting app too
Workshop Software handles the workshop fundamentals well, customer-vehicle directory, parts catalogue, bay scheduling, time tracking. But it doesn't do your books. That means you still need Xero or MYOB running alongside, syncing data between two systems, paying two subscriptions, and reconciling discrepancies every BAS quarter. OneBookPlus eliminates that split. The customer-vehicle file, the parts catalogue, the invoices, the supplier expenses and the BAS export all live in one platform, purpose-built for Australian workshops.
Where Workshop Software thinks in workshop operations, OneBookPlus thinks in customer relationships. Every quote you send, every invoice that gets paid, every rego renewal that fires a reminder, every Google review that goes out, feeds the same customer-vehicle history. You don't just track work; you compound the customer relationship.
Feature deep dive
Rego and CTP reminders: Every customer-vehicle stores rego expiry and, for NSW, the CTP green-slip expiry. SMS and email reminders fire at 30, 14 and 3 days before expiry, and the customer books by replying to the text rather than ringing back. Workshop Software covers the service and registration side of this; the CTP green slip is where OneBookPlus goes further.
Insurance Repair Portal: Pre-built claim workflows for IAG (NRMA, CGU, SGIO), Suncorp (AAMI, GIO, Apia, Vero), Allianz, RACV, Youi and Budget Direct. Each template prefills the right labour-unit mapping, repair codes and supplementary-quote thread format. The supplementary thread the assessor reviews on their phone replaces 48-hour email loops with same-day approval.
Built-in BAS and expense capture: Supplier costs go on the job as you incur them. Photograph the Repco or Bursons docket, or drop in the PDF bill from GPC, Bapcor or Castrol, and the scan reads supplier, date, GST and total into a drafted expense you check and code. BAS reporting is one click. No exporting from Workshop Software into Xero, no chasing missing receipts across two systems.
Who should switch
- Independent workshops (1-4 bays) paying for both Workshop Software and a separate accounting app, you can consolidate two subscriptions into one platform.
- Workshops with a database of past customers who've drifted to the dealer at rego time, the reminder workflow puts you back in front of them before the dealer does.
- Panel beaters and smash repairers chasing supplementaries through email threads, the SMS approval workflow puts the variation in front of the assessor on their phone.
Stay with Workshop Software if: you run a 5+ bay multi-site operation with a dedicated workshop manager, have deep investment in the Workshop Software ecosystem (Capricorn integrations, multi-shop reporting), or rely on the mature bay scheduling depth that 15 years of automotive-only development brings.
Getting started
Switching takes about 20 minutes. Start by importing your customer-vehicle list from Workshop Software via CSV export. Set your default GST treatment, ABN, and capped-price labour rate, and bring your opening balances across. From there, any new jobs and invoices happen in OneBookPlus, the rego reminder workflow starts firing on day one, and the ledger behind your BAS stays current without the second app.
How to switch from Workshop Software to OneBookPlus
Export your customer-vehicle list and parts catalogue
In Workshop Software, export your customers, vehicles (rego, VIN, make/model) and parts list as CSV. Import them into OneBookPlus, and the vehicle file maps across with rego and CTP expiry intact, so the reminder workflow can start firing on day one. Your full job history stays in Workshop Software as a read-only archive if you ever need to look back.
Set up your books and cancel the separate Xero/MYOB sync
Set your chart of accounts and opening balances, then log supplier spend as it happens (Repco, Bursons, Bapcor, fuel, sublet), keyed in or drafted from a photographed docket. Because accounting and BAS live inside OneBookPlus, you no longer run Workshop Software into Xero, so one platform replaces the two-subscription, quarter-end reconciliation setup.
Start new jobs in OneBookPlus, switch on reminders and reviews
Set your ABN, GST treatment and capped-price labour rate, then run all new bookings, quotes and invoices in OneBookPlus. Turn on the free Rego & CTP reminder workflow, Google review automation after each paid invoice, and the Insurance Repair Portal if you do panel work. Most workshops run both tools for a month, then retire Workshop Software once the new flow is comfortable.
Ready to replace Workshop Software and Xero
with one app that does it all?
The vehicle file, the parts, the invoices and the books in one Australian-built app.
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About this comparison
How we compared OneBookPlus to Workshop Software
Feature claims about OneBookPlus reflect what is shipping today on onebookplus.com.au. Workshop Software pricing and feature claims were last verified against Workshop Software’s public Australian product pages on the date below; vendor pricing changes frequently, so check the Workshop Software website for your specific situation before making a decision.
Disclosure: OneBookPlus publishes this comparison and stands to benefit if you switch. We aim to compare like-for-like on capability and Australian tax compliance, if you spot something out of date, email hello@onebookplus.com.au and we’ll review it.
About the author
Bishal Shrestha
Founder & CEO, OneBookPlus
Bishal spent a decade running digital projects for Australian small businesses before founding OneBookPlus. Bishal regularly assists Australian small to medium businesses with software stack consolidation, including the trade-offs of moving from Workshop Software to an integrated platform. The comparison above is informed by direct migration experience, not a single read of the Workshop Software marketing site.
Read the founder bioLast reviewed and updated: June 2026 by Bishal Shrestha