Comparison

BoltOn Technology vs VAL by Future42

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

BoltOn Technology

This business tool helps automotive repair shops enhance customer loyalty and streamline operations. It automates personalized service reminders, facilitates digital vehicle inspections, and simplifies communication and payments. Gain insights into shop performance and customer retention with integrated analytics.

Highlights
  • Customer retention campaigns
  • Digital vehicle inspections (DVI)
  • Two-way text and call management
  • Marketing automation for email and SMS
  • Integrated secure payments
  • Analytics and reporting dashboards
Read full description

Retention Pro by Bolt On Technology is the premier automotive shop marketing and retention solution trusted by thousands of repair shops nationwide. Seamlessly integrated with Mitchell1, ShopWare, Tekmetric, and other leading shop management systems, Retention Pro helps independent repair shops bring customers back, increase revenue, and simplify day-to-day operations. Top Features + Customer Retention Campaigns – Automatically send personalized service reminders, win-back texts, and appointment follow-ups to boost return visits. + Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) – Capture and share photos, videos, and technician notes directly with customers for full transparency and trust. + Message Center 2.0 – Manage two-way texts, calls, and appointment scheduling in one easy-to-use interface. + Marketing Automation – Launch smart, data-driven email and SMS campaigns that keep your bays full without manual effort. + Integrated Payments – Offer secure “Text-to-Pay” and digital invoicing options for faster payments and improved customer convenience. + Analytics & Reporting – Track customer retention, campaign ROI, and shop performance with real-time dashboards. Why Shops Love Retention Pro + Increases visit frequency and Average Repair Order (ARO) + Reduces no-shows with automated reminders + Strengthens customer trust through digital transparency + Integrates with major shop management systems + Delivers measurable ROI within the first 90 days

About

VAL by Future42

Features
Read full description

VAL is the native iPhone app for people who work in a tire shop: technicians, sales, managers, and owners. It is login-gated B2B software. WHAT CREW USE IT FOR Clock. Punch in and out with device GPS so the manager can see who is on the lot. Job proofs. Take before and after photos with the camera. Each photo is geotagged. Training. A short daily lesson plus VAL, a shop assistant you can type or speak to. Numbers. Sales and managers see today's tickets, callbacks, and who worked. Widgets. Today's numbers and a quick clock-in live on the iPhone Home Screen. ACCESS Your shop provisions the account. There are no in-app purchases. English and Spanish. This app is for shop staff. Drivers looking up their own car should use VAL Garage, a separate app.

Screenshots

BoltOn Technology3 screens
VAL by Future424 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: BoltOn Technology at every 3 weeks against VAL by Future42's every 2 months. BoltOn Technology also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for BoltOn Technology against 5.0 for VAL by Future42. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BoltOn Technology ships an update every 3 weeks, VAL by Future42 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
BoltOn Technology versus VAL by Future42: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoltOn TechnologyVAL by Future42
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.5 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBolt On Technology, LLCFuture42 LLC

Customer experience

BoltOn Technology

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VAL by Future42

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

BoltOn Technology

No in-app purchases

None

VAL by Future42

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BoltOn Technology free?
BoltOn Technology is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAL by Future42 free?
VAL by Future42 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BoltOn Technology or VAL by Future42?
BoltOn Technology and VAL by Future42 are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do BoltOn Technology or VAL by Future42 have ads?
Neither BoltOn Technology nor VAL by Future42 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BoltOn Technology or VAL by Future42?
BoltOn Technology ships an update every 3 weeks, and VAL by Future42 every 2 months. Most recently, BoltOn Technology was updated on October 30, 2026 and VAL by Future42 on November 7, 2026.

Other comparisons