How do I switch from MechanicDesk to PitlaneHQ?

Book a demo and our team runs a free import of your customers, vehicles and service history. You keep working in MechanicDesk until you are ready to cut over, so there is no gap in day-to-day operations.

Will I lose my data if I switch?

No. We import your customers, vehicles and history at no charge, and PitlaneHQ lets you export your own data at any time. There is no lock-in contract.

How does PitlaneHQ pricing compare to MechanicDesk?

The models differ. MechanicDesk charges per user — a base plan by user count plus $15/mo (+GST) for each extra user. PitlaneHQ charges a flat plan by team size: $109/mo inc GST covers up to 5 users with the full workshop core, then you toggle add-on modules monthly. For a 5-user shop that flat plan often lands below MechanicDesk once extra-user fees are added — see the worked example on the page.

Is PitlaneHQ built for Australian workshops?

Yes. PitlaneHQ handles GST-inclusive pricing, Australian rego and PPSR/NEVDIS vehicle lookups, and is backed by an Australia-based support team during AEST business hours.

PitlaneHQ vs MechanicDesk.

MechanicDesk is the biggest AU workshop platform. We treat the comparison honestly — they have a 15-year head start and 20,000+ mechanics using them; we're sharper on editorial UX, modular pricing, and AU/NZ-native GST. Free data import either way.

Capability	PitlaneHQ	MechanicDesk
Jobs, invoices, quotes
Diary & bookings
Customers & vehicles
Stock management
Service reminders (SMS)
Two-way SMS conversations MechanicDesk: outbound + reply-to-inbox
Xero sync
Customer portal (quotes & invoices online) PitlaneHQ in-portal card payment is on the roadmap — see below
GST-inclusive pricing supported (one toggle) AU GST behaviour varies by surface
Modular pricing (turn modules on/off monthly) MechanicDesk uses per-user tiered plans
Multi-site (per-site stock, group reports)
AI features (smart replies, doc wording)
Public API PitlaneHQ public API in beta
Established track record MechanicDesk: 20,000+ mechanics; PitlaneHQ is pre-launch
Free data import on switch
AU-based support team
Starting price	From $109/mo inc GST (3 plans by team size) + add-ons	Per-user tiered plans from $85/mo + GST — see worked example below

FAQ

Common questions.

How do I switch from MechanicDesk to PitlaneHQ?: Book a demo and our team runs a free import of your customers, vehicles and service history. You keep working in MechanicDesk until you are ready to cut over, so there is no gap in day-to-day operations.
Will I lose my data if I switch?: No. We import your customers, vehicles and history at no charge, and PitlaneHQ lets you export your own data at any time. There is no lock-in contract.
How does PitlaneHQ pricing compare to MechanicDesk?: The models differ. MechanicDesk charges per user — a base plan by user count plus $15/mo (+GST) for each extra user. PitlaneHQ charges a flat plan by team size: $109/mo inc GST covers up to 5 users with the full workshop core, then you toggle add-on modules monthly. For a 5-user shop that flat plan often lands below MechanicDesk once extra-user fees are added — see the worked example on the page.
Is PitlaneHQ built for Australian workshops?: Yes. PitlaneHQ handles GST-inclusive pricing, Australian rego and PPSR/NEVDIS vehicle lookups, and is backed by an Australia-based support team during AEST business hours.

Switching from MechanicDesk?

Book a switch demo