# Page 3 | Real-Time Labor Guide Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 3 - Is Real-Time Labor Guide the right Auto Repair solution for you? Explore 80 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/118918/Real-Time-Labor-Guide/reviews --- Real-Time Labor Guide 4.3 (80) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/118918/Real-Time-Labor-Guide/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 4th, 2026 # Page 3 - Reviews of Real-Time Labor Guide ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 51-75 of 80 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use HG Harold G. owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "owner" December 1, 2022 1.0 terrible Pros nothing the labor time is wrong , if you are a shop you will go broke with this labor time Cons pricing, you will get screwed, on real time labor guide Review Source MN Manuel N. Auto tech Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Alwsome Real Time Labor Guide" May 26, 2020 5.0 Very helpful. Pros It Gives you all labors specifically and gives you a/CAUTION when need be to get proper labor. Been user for many years, Definitely will keep recommending.👍 Cons When new software updates it takes a minute to adjust. Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide Easy,fast and Reasonable price. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 27, 2020 Manuel - Thank you for your honest and glowing review! We're happy we can help! FM Fhara M. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Very Helpful " June 3, 2020 4.0 I’ve been using Real-Time Labor Guide since 2013 and it helped me so much it has been very easy to use. Very simple to understand Pros Very eazy to use. Very affordable price. Cons I would really love it if they would add diagrams and specifications, part locations and more body part options Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 9, 2020 Fhara - Thank you for the glowing review! We're so happy you have been our customer for the last 7 years, and hope to keep meeting your expectations well into the future! DM Dana M. Pred Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great basic system, easy to nav" June 5, 2020 4.0 Used it a long time and good for the money Pros Easy to use , nice lay out. Simple inputs Cons Not saving input values, cannot see last part cost will save sale price but not cost Switched from [Mitchell RepairCenter](https://www.capterra.com/p/83653/Mitchell-RepairCenter/) To spendy Review Source DD Douglas D. Fleet Superintendent Government Administration Used the software for: 2+ years ### "VERY USEFUL" May 27, 2020 5.0 CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS ALWAYS THERE WHEN I HAVE NEEDED THEM Pros THIS SYSTEM CREATES A VERY USEFUL ESTIMATE TO PROVIDE TO MY OUTSIDE AGENCY CUSTOMERS. Cons I WISH THAT THIS SYSTEM WOULD SAVE THE ESTIMATES AND OR WORKORDERS CREATED OR AT LEAST DRAFTS. I GET DISTRACTED WITH PHONE CALL OR CUSTOMERS AND COME BACK AND THE WORK I STARTED WAS LOST DUE TO THE PROGRAM TIMING OUT. Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide THIS SYSTEM WAS IN PLACE WHEN I STARTED THIS POSITION Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 29, 2020 Douglas - thank you for your great, honest review. You may want to consider upgrading to the Real-Time Pro as that service saves every ticket you make including estimates and even partially completed tickets for a time. You should be able to take a free-trial of the upgrade at any time - feel free to give us a call if you would like us to talk you through it. MM MARCIANO M. OWNER Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "EASY TO USE AND VERY AFFORDABLE." May 27, 2020 4.0 Pros VERY EASY TO OVERWRITE PRICES, PARTS AND JOB DISCRIPTION. Cons ENGINE SIZE CODE SOMETIMES NOT LISTED FROM THE LIST. Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide FRIENDLY USER SOFTWARE. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 29, 2020 Marciano - thank you for your awesome and honest review! I'm glad you found us easier to us than some others out there. We're happy to have you as a customer! RK Ryan K. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### " 5 star review for real time labor guide" May 26, 2020 5.0 I use the system almost everyday. Its easy to use, understand and very affordable. Pros The ease of use, the price point. It was super easy to train my secretary on how to use it. Cons Sometimes there are specific labor operations that are not on your software but others such as identifix or michell ondemand. Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide Price point. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 27, 2020 Ryan - Thank you for your glowing review! SS Sean S. Owner/Technician Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Very Thorough and Accurate" May 26, 2020 5.0 Simple product that is intuitive and fast. Seems to have many features we haven't even tapped into but look forward to taking advantage of. Very well laid out and a must in any shops labor guide arsenal, and extremely reasonable pricing!! Pros All the labor guides that are integrated into the big name services like Alldata and Mitchell, don't go back as far as Real-Time does. Easy to navigate, and often includes obscure job tasks I wasn't expecting to find. The range of low to high hours per job is also on point and fantastic feature Cons Loses some of the older years as it includes the later models. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 27, 2020 Sean - Thank you for your honest and awesome review! We're happy you find our service intuitive and fast. We work hard to make sure it's as easy to use as possible. JD Jeff D. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Real time review from a dummy" June 1, 2020 5.0 Pretty easy and strait forward. Sometimes the simple things slow you down and this is one of them. Pros Very easy to navigate and use. I really like the simplicity and ease of use. Cons Nothing now that it has a custom feature for abnormal vehicles or repairs. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 5, 2020 Jeff - Thank you for your glowing review! We're so happy to have you as a customer! MM Mark M. owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Repair options" May 28, 2020 5.0 Great Pros Very user friendly and your are able to customize certain things. I work with farmer so the tax exempt button is nice Cons Sometimes the repair performed option are not always there Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide Bang for buck was very good Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 29, 2020 Mark - thank you so much for your honest and glowing review! We're happy to have you as a customer! DB David B. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review" June 4, 2020 5.0 Have been using it for over 8 years and have found it very useful. We also use Alldata to cross reference labor times. tried their invoicing/ management software but found it too cumbersome. Pros Price is very good and ease of use as well is very good Cons Going forward it may be good to have it able to transfer to accounting systems Review Source RD Robert D. President Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Curious" May 26, 2020 4.0 Quick estimates are now possible for my customer's. Pros Able to use phone app Support does respond Cons There no reward when I call to point out errors in Labor Time discrepancies w/ real world experience. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 27, 2020 Robert - Thank you for you awesome review. We're happy you are now able to provide your customers with quick estimates! JR Justin R. Service Manager Logistics and Supply Chain Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Shop Estimates " June 1, 2020 4.0 Overall, very satisfied. Pros you can easily add parts, misc., labor and can go in and update/edit the document anytime Cons Inaccurate labor times for older Caterpillar engine related repairs Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 4, 2020 Justin - Thank you for your honest review and we are happy to have you as a customer! MV Michael V. service manager Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Used the software for: 2+ years ### "review" June 1, 2020 4.0 I use it as a reference guide to compare with alldata and motors Pros easy to maneuver through has a wide years of coverage Cons some times are too generic and are incorrect for specific applications Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 4, 2020 Michael - thank you for your glowing review! We're so happy to have you as a customer! JA John A. owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Nice labor guide for the money" June 2, 2020 4.0 Overall it is pretty good. I have stuck with it because it is close with most things I work on. Pros Simple to use, easy to navigate. Gives three levels of pricing. Cons Biggest issue is sometimes there are operations that do not apply to the vehicle selected, and nothing that applies. It would be nice for a 1% increase per year to compensate for dealing with rust. I do this manually as I live int he rust belt and a 50+ year old car defies the labor guide, I don't care what guide you use, but customers want estimates down to the penny. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 5, 2020 John - thanks for the honest review and for being our customer all these years! SE Scott E. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "It been a few years but..." March 25, 2018 4.0 Customers always loved having detailef estimate Pros Great fast product. Used daily for years. Customer service was outstanding. Maybe had 1 or 2 access issues, resolved immediately. Alan, who i think may have been owner always helped. Cons Occasionally, but really rare labor listed to low. When there was a error, the number was obvious. Just double checked on Napa Review Source Response from Dowell Systems October 31, 2018 Thank you Scott for your great review! We love having you as our customer! BE Brandon E. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Is perfect for shops that dont want to spend a fortune" June 8, 2020 5.0 I have used it for 8 years and have been completely happy Pros Professional look to the invoices and custom logo Cons More custom vehicle optionsalogoas I work on a lot of odd vehicles and trailers Review Source rM ralph M. owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "watch the times" June 9, 2020 2.0 Pros easy to use just not accurate on labor times Cons not all labor actions are on the program, labor time are wrong on some repairs. usually short you on repair time. Review Source sM stephen M. owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "tca" June 8, 2020 5.0 Pros easy to use and labor rates broken down into sections Cons some labor guides not accurate search engine never works Review Source rT robert T. owner Automotive Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "you are falling far short in your product" June 2, 2020 3.0 The software makes me look more professional to my customer. I'd like to be able to buy the old style trial program but being almost retired and the money is far less I usually have to resort to calling other shops for a true feel of the exact labor time on any given job. Why don't you review some other software programs for ideas, You know there are smarter people all around us. Pros I liked the introductory disc just fine . The service I am using now could be a lot better.I do like the fact that it is available and works fairly easily. Cons The labor times are not usually enough on big jobs. I hate to cut you down because you probably are more knowledgeable than myself. I work alone and I can't really afford an exprnsive program. I do like the fact that it is here on demand. even though I have to add time to most all procedures. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 9, 2020 Robert - thank you for your honest review. We take your feedback very seriously and will do our best to consider the shop with just one technician who is nearing retirement in our future releases. I'm very happy we help you look professional to your customers! lB linwood B. president Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "ive used this for 7 years and love it" June 5, 2017 5.0 saves me money and time. I have had no issues to complain and see nothing but good ,, I see no reason to buy into a more expensive product Pros price and ease of use , seems accurate and saves guessing, saves me money , something to show the customer Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 5, 2017 Thank you for your review Linwood! SW Steve W. Owner Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Gets the job done" May 26, 2020 5.0 Pros Easy to navigate. Mobile friendly. Allows to adjust time and pricing Cons Only being able to create a work order at the end of the process Review Source Response from Dowell Systems May 27, 2020 Steve - Thank you for your honest review and the high marks you gave us. You're right that you can only print a work order once the ticket has been finalized. We should look and see how to give you the ability to print one that is partially completed. Thanks for the suggestion! JH Jeff H. MANAGER Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great guide for Estimates." June 8, 2020 4.0 Real easy to use and a quick guide. Pros Inexpensive and straight forward. I use this a lot to compare with extended warranty companies like Mitchell or Alldata. Cons Some items missing or times off compared to Alldata, etc. Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide Price and being new car dealership needed a go to guide. Review Source DD DANIEL D. OWNER Retail Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Labor Guide Review" June 1, 2020 5.0 The older cars and trucks have jobs that are not estimated with the software. Pros The addition of invoice and estimate headings. The ability to compile "jobs" that customer's could pick and chose from. Cons Not all vehicles are listed. Older cars and trucks are not listed. Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide It provided labor hours to approximate labor costs. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 5, 2020 Daniel - Thank you for your honest feedback. We continually look to add vehicles and jobs to our labor guide, and I will make sure and pass your comments on to our labor research department. Thanks again! FR FLOYD R. Owner/CEO Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Update" June 3, 2020 5.0 Very Good Pros Use of the system and moving to next application. Cons Wish it had semi-trailer labor guide, do lots of work on trailers. Review Source Response from Dowell Systems June 9, 2020 Floyd - Thank you for the great review! We're so happy to have you as a customer! Similar Products Featured