Alternative
A simpler TechMan alternative for independent garages
TechMan is a mature workshop platform built for larger, busier operations with structured onboarding and support. If you're a small independent who wants the daily essentials working immediately at a flat monthly price, MechanicX is designed for you. Check both providers' current pricing and features directly before you decide.
30 days free. No card required. Cancel any time.
The difference in a sentence
Larger platforms give you breadth: deep reporting, multi-site structures, parts and DMS integrations, formal training. Worth paying for when you have the team and sites to use it.
MechanicX narrows the scope on purpose. Customers and vehicles, job cards on a phone, estimates and invoices, MOT and service reminders, payments and simple reporting — the jobs a small garage does every single day, with nothing to configure first.
Because there's no implementation project, you can trial it yourself. Sign up, add your labour rates and VAT settings, and run real jobs through it the same week.
Fair questions to ask both
- What does it cost per month in total, including extra users?
- Can I see it working without booking a demo?
- Does the bay view work properly on a phone?
- Where does the MOT data come from, and is it official DVSA data?
- Can I export my data whenever I want?
- Is UK VAT handled correctly, in GBP?
What you get with MechanicX
Customers & vehicles
VRM lookup fills the vehicle from a registration. Service history, notes and contacts in one place.
Job cards in the bay
Technicians add parts, labour, photos and sign-off from a phone. The invoice builds itself as they work.
Invoicing & estimates
Branded PDFs, email delivery, credit notes, and clean VAT handling for UK garages.
Getting paid
Record cash, card and BACS, or send a pay-by-link so the bill is settled before collection.
MOT & service reminders
Automatic SMS and email reminders built on official DVSA MOT history data.
Optional extras
Technical data, accounting sync (Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books) and online MOT booking when you want them.
Want the detail? See the full feature breakdown.
MechanicX fits if
In the box
- You're a 1–5 ramp independent or mobile mechanic
- You want to self-serve and start today
- You want one flat monthly price, published openly
- You need it to work on the phone in your pocket
A bigger platform fits if
- You run several branches with group-level reporting
- You need heavyweight parts-supplier and DMS integration
- You want a dedicated implementation and training programme
Questions before switching
Can I run both systems side by side while I decide?
Yes — the 30-day trial needs no card, so plenty of garages run a week of real jobs through MechanicX before committing.
Do you charge per user?
Plans are based on your workshop size rather than stacking per-seat fees. The pricing page shows the current figures.
Is the MOT data official?
Yes — MOT history and expiry dates come from the DVSA MOT History API.
What if I outgrow it?
You can move up a plan for more users, bays and integrations, and export your data at any point if you'd rather move elsewhere.
See it with your own jobs
Start a free 30-day trial — no card, no sales call — and judge it on a normal working day.