Head to head
TechMan vs Auto Garage Network: which suits your workshop?
Two different approaches to running a UK garage. TechMan is a focused GMS with tiered plans and credit charges. Auto Garage Network bundles GMS with managed website and SEO services. Here's an honest look at both, plus where Garegi offers a simpler combined option.
TechMan at a glance
TechMan offers four tiers from £99 to £529 per month. The Partner plan (£99/month) has no upfront fee but comes with a 12-month contract. The Flexi plan (£199/month) adds Autodata integration and costs around £995 upfront. Credits are charged separately for DVLA lookups, SMS messages and Mailchimp mailshots.
TechMan is a pure GMS. It doesn't offer website design, hosting or SEO services. Garages that want an online presence need to arrange that separately.
Auto Garage Network at a glance
AGN's GMS starts at £135+VAT/month (Standard), rising to £200+VAT/month (Advanced) and £270+VAT/month (Premium). There are no credit charges for DVLA or SMS, and no per-user fees. AGN also offers website packages with a build cost from £1,500+VAT and ongoing fees from £150+VAT/month, plus managed SEO from £250+VAT/month.
The strength of AGN is the combined package: GMS, website and SEO from one provider. The trade-off is that the total monthly cost can climb quickly once you add website and SEO.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | TechMan | AGN | Garegi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (GMS) | £99/month | £135+VAT/month | £200/month |
| Setup fee | None (Partner); ~£995 (Flexi) | None listed for GMS | None |
| Credit charges | Yes (DVLA, SMS, mailshots) | No | No |
| Per-user fees | None | None | None |
| Contract | 12 months (Partner) | Not published | Monthly rolling |
| Website | Not offered | From £1,500+VAT build + £150+VAT/month | Included |
| SEO service | Not offered | From £250+VAT/month | Optional from £300/month |
| Autodata | From Flexi tier | Not listed | No |
| Parts ordering | Yes | Yes | GSF + Bond |
| Accounting export | Sage, Xero | Xero, QuickBooks | Sage, Xero, QuickBooks |
| SMS | Pay-per-credit | Included | 300/month included |
| Car sales module | No | No | Yes (£80/month) |
| Vehicle hire module | No | No | Yes (£80/month) |
All pricing from publicly available sources. AGN prices exclude VAT. Pricing reflects standard published rates and does not include promotional offers, limited-time discounts or negotiated rates. Figures checked 19 August 2026. Confirm current pricing directly with each provider.
Where TechMan wins
TechMan's £99/month Partner plan is the cheapest entry point. If you already have a website or don't need one, TechMan keeps the monthly cost low. Autodata integration from the Flexi tier upwards is also a differentiator that AGN doesn't match.
Where AGN wins
AGN's bundled GMS + website + SEO approach means you deal with one provider for everything. Their managed SEO service handles Google rankings actively, which suits garages that don't want to think about marketing. The absence of credit charges makes costs more predictable than TechMan's model.
Where Garegi fits in
Garegi includes a booking website with every module at no extra cost: no build fee, no separate monthly charge. The GMS is £200/month flat with no credits and no setup fee. For garages that want a working website from day one without AGN's build costs or TechMan's credit charges, Garegi covers both in one price. See the full pricing breakdown.
Common questions
Does TechMan or AGN include a website?
TechMan provides an online booking widget but not a full website. AGN offers website build packages from £1,500+VAT one-off plus £150+VAT/month ongoing. Garegi includes a booking website with every module at no extra cost.
Which is cheaper for a small garage?
TechMan's Partner plan at £99/month is the lower entry point, but credit charges add up. AGN's GMS starts at £135+VAT/month with no credits, but adding a website pushes the total higher. Total cost depends on your usage and whether you need a website.
Does AGN include SEO?
AGN offers managed SEO from £250+VAT/month alongside their GMS. TechMan doesn't offer SEO. Garegi includes a website and offers optional SEO from £300/month.
Is there a simpler alternative to both?
Garegi offers a flat £200/month with a booking website included, no credit charges and no setup fee. It suits garages that want GMS and website in a single bill.
Want to compare all three in practice?
Book a demo and bring your TechMan or AGN questions. We'll be honest about where Garegi fits.