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We've done the research. Here's what each does well, and where we're still catching up.
Fair comparison · no #1 claims · our demo is the ground truth · last verified Aug 2026
Feature comparison
WW = Workshop Wrench. Statuses: ✓ live in production demo · ⚠ mock/stub (partially built, not production-ready) · — not yet built
| Feature | Workshop Wrench | MechanicDesk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job board / kanban | ✓ live Domain-enforced stage transitions; blockers visible on card | ✓ Mature board with drag-and-drop; strong AU install base | |
| SMS estimate approval | ⚠ mock/stub Portal UI live; SMS delivery mocked until Twilio keys configured | ✓ SMS approval is a core differentiator for MechanicDesk | |
| Customer portal | ✓ live Token-based portal — no login required; line-level approve / decline / defer | ✓ Customer portal available; depth varies by plan | |
| Parts marketplace / AU catalogue | ⚠ stub Parts search UI exists; AU supplier punch-out not yet live | ✓ Strong integration with AU parts suppliers (Burson, Repco, etc.) | |
| Pricing / plan transparency | ✓ live Published pricing at /pricing; no lock-in contracts | — Contact-sales model; pricing not publicly listed | |
| GST tax invoicing | ✓ live Correct AU GST invoice from authorised RO lines; ABN on header | ✓ AU-native; GST invoicing is a baseline expectation | |
| Xero integration | ⚠ stub Dry-run sync implemented; live push gated pending config | ✓ Production Xero sync; established AU workflow | |
| Offline / PWA | ✓ live IndexedDB mutation queue; survives connectivity drops | — Web app; offline capability not prominently documented |
MechanicDesk status based on public documentation and feature pages as of Aug 2026. Always verify live — check their website for the current state before deciding.
Honest assessment
We believe in transparent comparisons. Here's where they genuinely have the edge today.
MechanicDesk's SMS estimate approval sends real messages now. Workshop Wrench's portal flow is live but SMS delivery is mocked until a Twilio account is configured. If SMS approval is your top priority, they currently have the edge.
MechanicDesk has established integrations with Burson, Repco, and other AU suppliers. Workshop Wrench has the parts UI but the supplier punch-out is not live yet. For shops where parts ordering speed is critical, this matters.
MechanicDesk has years of AU-specific refinements and a large existing customer base. Workshop Wrench is earlier-stage and some edge cases in AU workshop workflows are still being discovered and fixed. If you need battle-tested software with a long reference list, they have that today.
Where Workshop Wrench wins
Individual job lines can be approved, declined, or deferred — not just whole-job "OK" texts. This protects margin and creates a clean audit trail.
Plans and prices are on /pricing. Month-to-month, no contracts. MechanicDesk uses a contact-sales model.
IndexedDB mutation queue means the app keeps working when the workshop Wi-Fi drops. Mutations replay on reconnect.
ARO, deferred work value, tech utilisation — with documented formulas in the domain package so you can understand what each number means.