DealerCenter vs Headstart VMS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DealerCenter
Manage your dealership on the go with this comprehensive mobile solution. Features include VIN scanning, inventory management, customer relationship management, and real-time deal monitoring. Streamline digital marketing exports and customer engagement from your mobile device.
- VIN scanning and decoding
- Inventory acquisition and management
- Digital marketing export control
- Real-time CRM and customer engagement
- Deal status and performance monitoring
- Driver's license scanning
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DealerCenter’s mobile app delivers powerful, industry leading DMS technology in the palm of your hand. Managing your dealership on the go doesn’t get any faster or easier than DealerCenter’s fully integrated mobile solution. VIN scan, acquire and manage inventory. Control inventory digital marketing exports to your website, CarGurus, Craigslist, Autotrader and more. Respond and engage internet leads and customers real-time with CRM. Monitor deal statuses, funding and performance. VIN scanning and decoding quickly pulls subscribed book values and vehicle history reports. Access auction run lists and acquire inventory with on-demand market intelligence to buy smarter. Take photos of inventory and instantly upload to dealer website and all 3rd party advertising sites. Driver’s license scanning automatically creates customer records and populates key customer information. DealerCenter’s Powerful Mobile App - Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - Inventory Management - Kelley Blue Book, NADA, Black Book and Manheim MMR Values - AutoCheck and Carfax Vehicle History Reports - RouteOne Lender Submissions - Dealertrack Lender Submissions DealerCenter is the best reviewed and only all-in-one Dealer Management System (DMS) on the market. The only software that provides complete access to Dealertrack and RouteOne with comprehensive inventory management, auction run lists, BHPH portfolio management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), QuickBooks, KBB, NADA, Black Book, Manheim MMR and direct access to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Now your dealership goes wherever you go with DealerCenter’s powerful mobile DMS solution.
Headstart VMS
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HeadStart VMS app helps to manage vehicles while simultaneously entering them into the system. Add inventory, arrange transport, and schedule recon before the vehicle gets to your lot. HeadStart VMS tracks every expenditure, location of vehicle, and even title workflow. Selling, transporting, and collecting funds is as easy as it’s ever been!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: DealerCenter at weekly against Headstart VMS's every 2 months. Headstart VMS's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
DealerCenter ships an update weekly, Headstart VMS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DealerCenter | Headstart VMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (990 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 990 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 158 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NOWCOM LLC | Headstart VMS, LLC |
Bugs and requests
DealerCenter
Reported bugs
2 issues- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Unreliable facial recognition login
Requested features
2 requests- iPad-optimized app
- Improved push notifications for new leads and credit applications
Headstart VMS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
DealerCenter
No in-app purchases
Headstart VMS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is DealerCenter free?
Is Headstart VMS free?
Do DealerCenter or Headstart VMS have ads?
Which is updated more often, DealerCenter or Headstart VMS?
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