2025 Comparison
Hoist vs Mechanic Desk
Two popular options for NZ workshops
Both Hoist and Mechanic Desk are workshop management solutions available to New Zealand automotive businesses. Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which is right for your workshop.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hoist | Mechanic Desk |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Rego Lookups | Available | Available |
| Xero Integration | Full two-way sync | Full two-way sync |
| Work Order Management | Available | Available |
| Customer Database | Available | Available |
| Inventory Management | Available | Available |
| Technician Scheduling | Available | Available |
| SMS | 12c per message | Included (limits may apply) |
| Reporting & Analytics | Available | Available |
| Mobile Access | Responsive web app | Responsive web app |
| Multi-site Management | Coming soon | Separate accounts required |
| Data Hosting Location | New Zealand | Australia |
| WoF/CoF Tracking | Available | Available |
| Service Reminders | Available | Available |
| Barcode Scanning | Available | Available |
Pricing Comparison
Hoist
$90/month + GST
- All features included
- Additional users $10/month
- Rego lookups 5c-22c
- SMS 12c per text
Mechanic Desk
$70+/month AUD
- Pricing varies by features
- Contact for exact pricing
Key Highlights
Hoist
- Built specifically for NZ market
- Data hosted in New Zealand
- Simple, all-inclusive pricing
- Modern interface
Mechanic Desk
- Established platform
- Phone support available
- Comprehensive feature set
- WoF support for NZ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Hoist and Mechanic Desk?
Hoist is built specifically for NZ with NZ-hosted servers, while Mechanic Desk is Australian-based with servers in Australia. Both offer similar core features for workshop management.
Can I migrate from Mechanic Desk to Hoist?
Yes, Hoist offers migration assistance to help you transfer your customer data, vehicle records, and service history.
What are the pricing differences?
Hoist charges $90/month + GST with all features included. Mechanic Desk starts around $70/month AUD with pricing varying based on features. Both charge per additional user.
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The information on this page is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of December 2025. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact us and we'll update it promptly.