2026 Comparison

Hoist vs SAM / Auxo

NZ's long-standing incumbent vs the independent challenger

SAM has been New Zealand's incumbent workshop software for decades, and its owner Auxo (part of the MTA since 2020) now sells webSAM and Auxo Workshop alongside it. Hoist is the independent, cloud-native alternative. Whichever direction you're heading, moving off desktop SAM means learning a new system - so here's a factual comparison to make sure you pick the right one. Where we can't verify an Auxo capability from public material, we say "confirm with Auxo" rather than guessing.

Feature Comparison

FeatureHoistSAM / Auxo
Product lineageCloud-native, built for the browserDesktop SAM, webSAM (browser-based), Auxo Workshop (cloud)
Vehicle Rego Lookups5c cached / 24c liveCharged per lookup - confirm rate with Auxo
Xero IntegrationNative two-way syncConfirm with Auxo
Work Order ManagementAvailableAvailable
Customer DatabaseAvailableAvailable
WoF/CoF TrackingAvailableAvailable
Service RemindersAutomated SMS & emailConfirm with Auxo
SMS12c per messageCharged per message - confirm rate with Auxo
Technician SchedulingBays & techs calendarConfirm with Auxo
OwnershipIndependent, NZ-builtAuxo Software (MTA-owned)
Public PricingPublished flat planwebSAM & Auxo Workshop published; desktop SAM quote-only
SupportNZ-based (Upper Hutt)Auckland HQ, staff in NZ & AU
Free Trial14-day free trialFree trial offered (Auxo Workshop)

Pricing Comparison

Hoist

$140$80/month + GST (early adopter)

  • Early adopter rate - locked in for 6 months
  • Regular price $140/month
  • All features included
  • 3 users included, +$10/month per additional user

SAM / Auxo

$99+/month NZD

  • webSAM: $99/month for 1 user, +$19/user (Auxo site, Jul 2026)
  • Auxo Workshop RRP from 1 Jan 2026: Essentials $99 + GST (2 users), Pro $199 + GST (5 users), Elite $299 + GST (7 users)
  • Desktop SAM: quote-only, no public pricing
  • Confirm current pricing and GST treatment with Auxo

Key Highlights

Hoist

  • Cloud-native - nothing to install or patch
  • Flat pricing with 3 users included
  • Native two-way Xero sync and rego lookups
  • Migration assistance for SAM data

SAM / Auxo

  • NZ's most established workshop software
  • Backed by the MTA
  • Large NZ install base
  • Familiar workflow for existing SAM users

Frequently Asked Questions

Is desktop SAM being discontinued?
Auxo hasn't announced an end-of-life date for desktop SAM. It does sell two cloud products alongside it - webSAM and Auxo Workshop - and Auxo's CEO has said existing SAM customers can begin migrating to Auxo Workshop. Whichever way you go, moving off desktop SAM is a system change, so it's worth comparing the whole market before you commit.
Can I migrate my SAM data to Hoist?
Yes. Customers, vehicles and service history can be migrated, and the Hoist team assists with the process rather than handing you an import template. Get in touch early so there is time to take a clean export from your system.
How does the pricing compare?
Hoist is a flat plan - $80/month + GST at the early adopter rate (regular $140), with every feature and 3 users included, then $10/month per extra user. As at July 2026 Auxo lists webSAM at $99/month plus $19 per additional user, and Auxo Workshop Essentials from $99 + GST/month for 2 users plus $19 per user; desktop SAM is quote-only. Per-user pricing grows with your team, so price it over a few years, not a month.
Should I just move to webSAM or Auxo Workshop instead?
Maybe - staying in the SAM family means a familiar workflow, and that's a legitimate reason. The point of this page is that it shouldn't happen by default: any move off desktop SAM is a new system to learn, so compare features, per-user costs and migration support before signing on for the next decade.

Related Resources

All Hoist Features

Full feature list and capabilities

How to Choose Software

Guide to selecting the right system

Free Calculators

Labour rate, markup, and more

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SAM / Auxo pricing and features were checked against their own published material, August 2026. Rates and plans change, so confirm anything that matters directly with them. If you notice an inaccuracy, please contact us and we'll correct it.

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