MechanicDesk vs Hoist: An Honest Comparison for NZ Workshops

You're looking at workshop software. You've probably seen MechanicDesk mentioned everywhere - they've been around since 2016, they're the "established" option, and half the workshops you know seem to use them. But something's making you look at alternatives. Maybe it's the pricing. Maybe it's the interface. Maybe it's that nagging feeling that there should be something more... Kiwi.

You've landed on this page because you want an honest comparison. Not a sales pitch dressed up as a review. Not cherry-picked features that make one option look amazing and the other terrible. Just a straight answer to the question: which one is actually better for your workshop?

Full disclosure: we built Hoist, so we're obviously biased. But we're also going to be genuinely honest here - including the things MechanicDesk does better than us. Because if MechanicDesk is the right fit for your workshop, you should use MechanicDesk. Seriously. The worst outcome for everyone is you picking the wrong tool and resenting it for years.

Let's get into it.

The Quick Verdict (For Those In A Hurry)

If you want the short version, here it is:

Still here? Good. Let's get into the details.

Company Background: Who's Behind Each Product?

MechanicDesk

MechanicDesk was founded in Australia in 2013 and has grown to become one of the most recognised workshop management platforms in the trans-Tasman market. They're headquartered in Melbourne with direct support available to NZ customers via their 0800 number.

They've been around longer, have more users, and have had more time to build out features. That's just reality. When you've been in the market for over a decade, you accumulate a lot of functionality.

MechanicDesk provides direct phone and email support for NZ customers via their 0800 110 259 number - you don't need to go through a third party. If you prefer local hands-on implementation help, WorkSmarter is available as an optional partner for setup, training, and Xero integration, but they're not required.

Hoist

We started Hoist in Upper Hutt, New Zealand. We're a small team who genuinely love cars and building software. We built Hoist specifically for the NZ market from day one - not as an afterthought or a market expansion.

We're newer, which means we don't have the same feature depth yet. But it also means we built on modern technology from scratch, without legacy code holding us back. Everything was designed for how workshops operate today, not adapted from decisions made in 2016.

When you contact Hoist support, you're talking to people in New Zealand who built the product. There's no partner layer, no international hand-offs.

Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

Let's talk money. This is often the first question, so let's address it head-on.

MechanicDesk Pricing

MechanicDesk's Starter plan is $85 + GST per month (NZD). Check their website for additional tiers and current pricing as it may change.

They offer a free trial without requiring credit card details, so you can test before committing. Support is included at all tiers.

Worth noting: MechanicDesk has been around since 2013 and their pricing reflects that established market position. You're paying for a mature product with a proven track record.

Hoist Pricing

Hoist is currently $60/month for early adopters, which locks in that price permanently. Our standard pricing will be $99/month after our public launch in April 2026.

We don't charge per user. Your whole team can access Hoist for one flat monthly fee. For a workshop with 3-4 staff, this can represent significant savings compared to per-user pricing models.

The Real Cost Comparison

Hoist's flat-fee pricing means you pay the same whether you have 1 user or 10. With MechanicDesk, you choose a tier based on your needs. For a small workshop, both options are affordable - it comes down to which feature set and pricing model works better for your situation.

Our advice: don't choose based on price alone. Both are relatively affordable compared to the time they save. Choose based on which features and workflow actually fit how you operate.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Here's where things get detailed. We've tried to be fair - marking things where MechanicDesk is genuinely ahead, where we're ahead, and where it's basically equal.

Where MechanicDesk Wins

Let's be honest about where MechanicDesk is genuinely better:

• Mobile apps: They have dedicated native apps for iOS and Android with strong ratings (4.4/5). If your techs need to work heavily from their phones, MechanicDesk has the edge here.
• Accounting integrations: Beyond Xero, they support MYOB and QuickBooks. If you're not on Xero, this matters.
• Parts supplier connections: More years in market means more integrations with parts suppliers.
• Vehicle Visuals: This is a neat feature - animated diagrams showing how car parts work and what happens when they fail. Great for explaining issues to customers.
• Maturity: 8+ years of development means more edge cases handled, more features built out, more polish in areas you might not think about until you need them.

Where Hoist Wins

And where we think we're ahead:

• Native NZTA integration: We built this in from day one. Enter a rego, get vehicle details, WoF history, and registration status instantly. No third-party required.
• Pricing: Lower monthly cost, no per-user fees. For small-to-medium workshops, the savings are real.
• Modern interface: We built on modern tech with a clean, intuitive design. Less clutter, faster to learn.
• NZ support: Talk directly to the people who build the product, in your timezone, who understand NZ workshop operations.
• No legacy baggage: We're not carrying 8 years of code decisions. Everything is built for how workshops operate now.

NZ-Specific Features: The Details That Matter

If you're running a workshop in New Zealand, some features matter more than others. Here's how both stack up on the Kiwi essentials.

NZTA Integration

Both get you the information you need. Hoist's integration is more direct, which can mean faster lookups and one less third-party dependency.

WoF & Service Reminders

Both platforms support automated WoF and service reminders via email and SMS. This is table stakes for NZ workshop software - if a platform doesn't do this well, it's not serious about the NZ market.

The key difference is in the details: how easy is it to set up? Can you customise the message? Can you see who's opening them? Both do the basics, but test both trials to see which workflow feels right for you.

GST & NZ Tax Compliance

Both handle GST correctly and integrate with NZ-friendly accounting software. If you're using Xero (and most NZ workshops are), either will work seamlessly.

User Experience: What It's Actually Like to Use

Features on paper are one thing. What's it actually like to use these systems day-to-day?

MechanicDesk Interface

MechanicDesk has a functional interface that's been refined over years. It's comprehensive - lots of options, lots of screens, lots of ways to do things. For power users who want granular control, this is great.

The trade-off is complexity. New users often report a steeper learning curve. There's more to learn, more buttons to understand, more settings to configure. Some users describe the interface as "dated" compared to modern web apps, though MechanicDesk has been updating their UI.

User reviews mention: "Comprehensive but takes time to learn" and "Lots of features, but can feel cluttered."

Hoist Interface

We designed Hoist with simplicity as a core principle. Fewer clicks to common tasks. Cleaner screens with less visual noise. The goal is that you can figure out most things without reading a manual.

The trade-off is that we don't have every advanced option that MechanicDesk offers. We've focused on doing the core things really well rather than having a feature for every edge case.

This isn't for everyone. Some users want that granular control and will find Hoist too simple. Others just want something that works without a training course.

Mobile Experience

This is an area where we have to give MechanicDesk clear credit.

MechanicDesk Mobile

MechanicDesk has dedicated native apps for iOS and Android. These are proper apps, built specifically for mobile, with strong ratings in app stores (4.4/5 stars). Users consistently praise the mobile experience.

If your technicians need to work from their phones regularly - checking jobs, adding notes, looking up vehicle info on the shop floor - MechanicDesk's mobile experience is more polished.

Hoist Mobile

Hoist is web-based and mobile-responsive. You can access everything from your phone's browser and it works well, but it's not the same as a dedicated native app.

We're working on improving our mobile experience, but right now, if mobile is your top priority, MechanicDesk has the advantage.

Support & Training

MechanicDesk Support

MechanicDesk offers support through their Australian team and NZ partner WorkSmarter. They have documentation, video tutorials, and email/phone support.

Because they work through a partner in NZ, your support experience may vary depending on whether you're dealing with the partner or the main company. Some users report excellent support; others mention delays when issues need to be escalated.

Hoist Support

With Hoist, you're dealing directly with the people who build the software. We're a small team, which means you'll often talk to someone who actually wrote the code you're asking about.

We're in the NZ timezone. When you have a problem at 9am on a Monday, we're awake and working. No waiting for Australia to start their day.

The trade-off of being smaller: we don't have a massive support team. During busy periods, response times might be longer than a larger company. We're growing, but we're honest about where we're at.

Switching & Data Migration

Already using workshop software and thinking about switching? Here's what you need to know.

Switching to MechanicDesk

MechanicDesk offers data migration assistance. They can import customer, vehicle, supplier, stock, and up to 3 years of vehicle history data. They aim to make transitions smooth and typically do imports at no additional cost.

Switching to Hoist

We also help with data migration. We'll work with you to import your existing customer and vehicle data so you're not starting from scratch. The specifics depend on what system you're coming from and what data you have, but we'll make it as painless as possible.

The Real Talk on Switching

Switching workshop software is never seamless, regardless of what anyone promises. There's always a learning curve, always some data that doesn't map perfectly, always a few weeks of "where's that button again?"

The question isn't whether switching will be painless (it won't be). The question is whether the destination is worth the journey. If your current software is genuinely holding you back, the temporary pain of switching is worth it. If it's just "okay" but working, think carefully about whether to disrupt what works.

Who Should Choose What: Our Honest Recommendations

After all that, here's our genuine advice on who should choose what:

The Bottom Line

There's no universally "better" option here. MechanicDesk is a solid, established product that's served NZ workshops well for years. Hoist is a newer, NZ-built alternative that does things differently.

The best choice depends on your specific situation: your workshop size, your budget, your existing software, your priorities.

Both offer free trials. Use them. Actually use them - create real jobs, add real customers, pretend you're running your actual workshop. That's worth more than any comparison article, including this one.

And if you have questions about either product, ask. MechanicDesk's team (or their NZ partner) will answer questions about their product. We'll answer questions about ours. The decision is yours.