# Page 2 | Real-Time Labor Guide Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra

> Page 2 - 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

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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/)

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Last updated March 4th, 2026

# Page 2 - Reviews of Real-Time Labor Guide

## Showing most helpful reviews

Showing 26-50 of 80 Reviews

Sort by:

Most Helpful

Rating

Company Size

Reviewer's Role

Length of Use

Frequency of Use

SA

Sayyed A.  
Project Coordinator  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Useful Tool with Some Rough Edges"

December 15, 2025

4.0

Overall, it’s a solid and practical system once you’re set up, especially for managing schedules and invoices. With fewer bugs and a smoother learning process, it could be excellent.

Pros

Real-Time Labour Guide does a great job with Invoice Management and Appointment Scheduling, and the Security gives confidence when handling sensitive data. Mobile Access is handy on the go.

Cons

There’s a noticeable Learning Curve, and I ran into a few Bugs and Issues that slowed things down. Customer Support is helpful, but responses can sometimes take longer than expected.

Review Source

Christopher P.  
Service manager  
Automotive  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Labor guide with invoicing not bad"

December 7, 2025

3.0

I was happy for the first month. I needed something that had more integration and more functionality. Even though those things cost more money with another company, that’s where I went.

Pros

Someone offered me the opportunity to take my Shop to the next level from paper invoices and calculator to something that did most of the work for me. It’s really inexpensive. I would say it’s cheap and it works for a start up shop which is what I used it for. Only a few months so I could get off the ground.

Cons

Invoices are tough to find once finalized for warranty. They are there you just have to do an irregular search.

Review Source

BC

Brenda C.  
Billing Clerk  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Making Us Competitive in Real Time"

March 28, 2025

5.0

Updated guides to keep us competitive in a large market without shorting ourselves.

Pros

Being competitive with labor rates and not under-charging for services.

Cons

Sometimes it was hard to get the market we are in just right compared to places less urban than us.

Review Source

CL

Charles L.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Great pic for small shops"

September 16, 2020

4.0

Needs more features in an additional tier or al a cart add ons. I use this daily, incredibly easy to generate accurate quotes, but a POS system its not...yet.

Pros

Overall the product is very useful. The are very few products for small guys to get away from paper & get access to labor guides. Ive tried all of the $20-$50 monthly options as I wanted a cloud based system that I could work with from anywhere regardless of platform. I really think this has helped me attract more business & close more sales due to accurate quoting. Lets face it people want professional & accurate quotes up front...and when they come back to pickup they dont want surprises either- this gains trust. In this regard RT has actually made me more money & makes things more efficient. How can a small shop justify $100-250 per month for Shop Management? Well theres not much out there that will get you running for sub 100 much less the $25/month I promise ya!

Cons

Now for the downsides...Im anxiously awaiting some upgrades- another tier for those of us wanting AR & Inventory, regardless of the info page here there is no inventory- nada. This needs to be fixed. The Customer owed balance needs to me on the main page so you know what folk are due/overdue at a glance instead of drilling into each work order & clicking thru to the end- its ridiculous to have to do that. Multiple tech assignment would be super helpful as well- each labor line should have ability to assign more than one all of the techs- not just one. Adding part vendors on the fly would be nice too but thats nit pickin. We need inventory Customer AR (and report) as well as Quickbooks online integration. I should be able to use this software to see what oil & filters I have on hand at least! All that said, they promise more soon & are adding payment processing- I really hope its soon!

Alternatives considered

[Shopmonkey](https://www.capterra.com/p/169022/Shopmonkey/)[AutoShop](https://www.capterra.com/p/35810/AutoShop/)[Shop Boss](https://www.capterra.com/p/121909/Shop-Boss-Pro/)[AutoRepair Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/147213/AutoRepair-Cloud/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Ease of use, price & stability

Switched from

[Workshop Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/131987/Workshop-Software-Online/)

To get the features from Workshop it gets pretty expensive...when you pay that kid on money you expect it to be stable & not glitchy. Had my request & complaints not went ignored for days I may have stayed longer & dealt with it, as there is alot of promise for Workshop. Though when I tried RT & actually saved a ton of time & money & wasnt bogged down with glitches I was sold on RT. WS had many half baked feature sets that were there but didnt work fully only to get aholt of some one and be prodded into spending more $$...then when had to sort out billing errors with overseas CS, thats it Im done!

Review Source

DR

Darren R.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Auto repair invoicing and labor"

May 26, 2020

5.0

The customer service has always been extremely friendly and helpful. For us as a small business the software works perfect. It allows us to customize our invoices and track our customers repairs. Customer service is very helpful with finding labor on old cars or very new cars that may not be in a labor system.

Pros

Ease of use, great customer service, pricing, does pretty much everything we want. We’ve stayed with this software for several years.

Cons

In progress tickets drop from system after 14 days. There are times when we are waiting for special order parts that arrive past that period and we have to rekey what we’ve entered already.

Alternatives considered

[Manager SE](https://www.capterra.com/p/145351/Manager-SE/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Options and pricing.

Switched from

[ALLDATA](https://www.capterra.com/p/10010667/Alldata/)

System down time, wait too long for customer service assistance and poor customer service.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

May 27, 2020

Darren - Thank you so much for your glowing review! I will make sure we look at the in-progress time frame, but the best way to make sure those tickets are never dropped is to complete them as estimates. Estimates don't show up on sales reports and can be edited and changed into invoices at any time. The in-progress was meant more like an auto-save feature so you wouldn't lose your partially completed ticket if you had a customer walk in and need immediate assistance.

Eric H.  
Service manager  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Best Bang for your buck available"

June 8, 2020

5.0

Pros

I have used this software for years and love the features and ease of use! This has cut my service ticket time considerably and is quite accurate with the labor times posted. If you are a small shop then you must have this software to compete with the big boys and show a big time appearance to the customer, it reinforces professionalism and integrity of your shop,I.e. letterhead and breakdown of ticket with an appealing look. I would recommend it to all repair shops no matter the size or location. This software has definitely made me a lot of money and helped ensure to not leave any on the table.

Cons

Wish it had older model cars I work on some older cars and a lot are not on the software and I understand I’m probably in the minority on this

Alternatives considered

[ERA-IGNITE](https://www.capterra.com/p/65169/ERA/)[ALLDATA](https://www.capterra.com/p/10010667/Alldata/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Simplicity and cost of use

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "customer service & incorrect Labor Time"

October 27, 2018

1.0

labor times most of the time is wrong make sure you you have different source you can't trust the info which is they getting pay monthly! 30% of time they are wrong

Pros

????!!!I'm not sure I like anything about them they been introduced by different company

Cons

we have to call them at least a couple times a month to correct the time labor times incomplete and they supposed to give you credit to correct them. good luck they ignore you

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

October 31, 2018

How much trust can you put in an anonymous review? We serve thousands of customers and provide hundreds of thousands of labor times. No labor guide is 100% correct, which is why we are called "guides". But we are always here to take your call, look at the job with you and give you the information you need to complete the job. Most customers appreciate that and tell us it's impossible to get that kind of service from the other guys. They also appreciate how much money we make them by providing correct times when the other guys are off. This is why the smart technician has more than one source. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but again, how much can you trust a reviewer who blasts you anonymously?

Jesse E.  
Owner- Master Mechanic  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Exactly What I Needed"

December 16, 2023

5.0

Pros

I love everything about Real-Time Labor Guide and wouldn't trade it for any of its competitors.... ever.

Cons

There's literally nothing I can think of that is wrong with this software.

Review Source

WM

William M.  
owner/head Technician  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Real Time Labour Guide review"

June 4, 2020

5.0

Great value. Couldn't run shop without it

Pros

The closest you will get to an accurate time to complete operations. this has increased revenues by approximately 20%

Cons

bit weak on larger vehicles such as medium duty trucks

Alternatives considered

[Manager SE](https://www.capterra.com/p/145351/Manager-SE/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Seemed to have most accurate real time labour times.

Review Source

RM

Robert M.  
Owner/Mechanic  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great product at an affordable price "

June 1, 2020

5.0

I have used this product since before the website version. It has helped me grow my business and keep the jobs coming in.

Pros

I am able to make estimates and invoices for the customers records as well as mine. I use the lower priced option, but it still helps me price and sell jobs with ease.

Cons

I have nothing bad to say. It has been a great product.

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

The price point was where I needed to be. It has helped me keep my cost low, and profit high.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 4, 2020

Robert - it's reviews like these that continue to motivate us. Our goal is to provide shops with a tool to help them keep their "cost low, and profit high" so it's remarkable that you used that phrase. Also, to hear that you have "nothing bad to say. It has been a great product," is music to our ears. We are so happy you decided to share this with us so we can share it with our team. Thank you for being a great customer for all these years!

EB

Elisabeth B.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Easy to navigate"

February 12, 2019

5.0

Pros

Easy to navigate. Very functional, its great that I can add parts and specific labor to our shop and store for quick reference.

Cons

Customer Service has not been the easiest to get ahold of the few times I've needed too.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

February 13, 2019

Elisabeth - Thank you for your great review! We work very hard and reach out for tons of feedback in order to make the system as easy to use as possible. I'm sorry you've had a hard time reaching us lately - the beginning of the year is always very busy with annual updates but if you leave a message we won't leave the office until our voicemail box is clear, and usually we get back to you a lot sooner then that. Thanks for being our customer for the last several years - we look forward to many more!

BR

BYRON R.  
OWNER  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ. PAYS FOR ITSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

January 14, 2017

5.0

I'VE READ SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER SHOPS. THEY WANT EVERY SINGLE ESTIMATE TO BE PERFECT. NONE OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE PERFECT. OVER THE YEARS I'VED USE REAL-TIME AS A BACK UP TO EITHER MITCHELL & OR ALLDATA. REAL TIME HAS SAVED ME FROM LOOSING A TON OF MONEY $$$$$$ IF I HAD WENT STRICKLY WITH THE "BIG BOYS PRICING" I'D BE IN THE "POOR HOUSE" NOW. THIS ESTIAMTING GUIDE IS A MUST HAVE. AND YOU GUYS THAT WANT MORE FROM THE PROGRAM, THEY HAVE AN ADVANCED PROGRAM TOO.

Pros

KEEP A FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OF HOW MUCH YOU RAISED THE PRICE WHEN YOU DOUBLE CHECKED REAL TIME & I BET YOU BE LOOKING AT A MINIMUM $ A MONTH IN ADDITIONAL INCOME. PLUS IF YOU EVER WORK ON A MEDIUM TO LARGE TRUCK - REAL TIME HAS THAT INFO AT NO EXTRA COST. A DOUBLE BONUS!!!!

Cons

NONE

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 22, 2017

Thank you so much Byron for the awesome review! We agree with you - every shop SHOULD have the Real-Time Labor Guide even if it's just for a second opinion.

NM

Nick M.  
Manager  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Real-Time labor guide helps with estimating"

March 25, 2020

5.0

Overall, Real-Time Labor Guide has gotten us out of some jams for sure. Had we used the traditional labor times we would have short changed ourselves.

Pros

I like the low,avg,high industry labor times and the notes on certain jobs indicating errors with traditional labor guides.

Cons

I have to buy separate licenses for each copy. Also, navigating the menu is a bit dated. I'd like to see more effort put into integration so advisors can build a labor estimate quickly.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

May 27, 2020

Nick - Thank you for your awesome and honest review. We're so happy to have you as a customer, and glad we could get you out of some jams and save you from short changing yourselves!

JB

JOE B.  
OWNER  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "ONLINE LABOR GUIDE"

June 1, 2020

4.0

DOES A GOOD JOB AND EASY TO USE.

Pros

THE EASE OF USE AND THE ACCURACY OF THE LABOR GUIDE

Cons

NOT ANY REAL NEGATIVE ISSUES. DOES LOCK UP SOMETIME WHEN MORE THAN ONE PERSON USING THE LABOR GUIDE.

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

OVERALL QUALITY OF THE SYSTEM AND EASE OF USE.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 5, 2020

Joe - Thank you for your great review. We work hard to make sure our service is as easy to use and accurate as possible. You are right that if another person uses your username and password to log in on another computer it will log you out, and that is why we suggest separate users for shops that need more than one person in the system at a time. Thanks for being our customer for all these years!

JT

Jason T.  
owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "JASONS AUTO BODY"

May 27, 2020

4.0

I just use it because of cost is so low.

Pros

It is easy to use and navigate just have to play with the system to learn its uses.

Cons

I wish it had repair help on some jobs like Mitchell has and like for me I wished they would offer a crash -labor estimator like this. Even tech to tech talk for help would be nice.

Alternatives considered

[JobBOSS²](https://www.capterra.com/p/219273/JobBOSS/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

cost

Switched from

[Mitchell RepairCenter](https://www.capterra.com/p/83653/Mitchell-RepairCenter/)

The cost between them made the choice for me

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 4, 2020

Jason - Thank you for your glowing review! We do try to offer just what a shop needs at the lowest price possible. We appreciate the feedback and are happy to have you as a customer!

JC

John C.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Best way to invoice my jobs"

June 4, 2020

5.0

Makes keeping track of customers and their vehicles so easy I can do it.

Pros

Very easy to use and configure the coverage is great and can even use custom types of vehicles overall the best software for shop invoicing.

Cons

There is nothing I don’t like about the software.

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Did my homework and was the best price for the best product

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 9, 2020

John - It's feedback like this: "Did my homework and was the best price for the best product" that makes our day. We're so happy we can provide the shop management service that you need to help you run your shop. Thanks for being our customer for all these years!

GK

GARY K.  
OWNER  
Transportation/Trucking/Railroad  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "GUIDE USER-CREWCHIEF"

June 2, 2020

5.0

NICE TO BE ABLE USE YOU AS GUIDE FOR TIME ENVOLVED IN SOME OPERATIONS.

Pros

NICE TO USE YOU AS A GUIDE TO KNOW TIMES ENVOLVED,ALSO LIKE THE WAY YOU PEOPLE LISTEN WHEN WE CALL AND TELL THERE NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTMENTS TO SOME LABOR TIMES! BILLING OUT LABOR ON INVOICES IS SO MUCH EASIER WITH THIS GUIDE.

Cons

NOTHING,WELL SATISFIED WITH IT,EASY TO USE,COVERS ABOUT EVERYTHING ENVOLVING JOBS.

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

LIKED IT WHEN IT WAS FIRST SHOWN TO US,BEEN WITH UP EVER SINCE.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 9, 2020

Gary - Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so happy you've been our customer all these years!

DP

Dano P.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great Real-Time product!"

June 1, 2020

5.0

Great inexpensive labor time guide and invoice system, I have used it for over 8 years now!

Pros

Customization and accuracy of labor times!

Cons

Number of labor times not available in the system.

Alternatives considered

[Mitchell RepairCenter](https://www.capterra.com/p/83653/Mitchell-RepairCenter/)[ALLDATA](https://www.capterra.com/p/10010667/Alldata/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Price and ease of use!

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 4, 2020

Dano - we are so happy to have such a fantastic review from a customer that has been with us for so many years. We look forward to serving you for many many more!

GB

Gordon B.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Indespensible resource "

May 26, 2020

5.0

Overall this is a fantastic product at a great price. It's easy to use, and when I've called in for additional assistance they are super helpful.

Pros

Real time labor guide gets you to repair times very quickly.

Cons

Sometimes for certain repair topics the descriptions can be vague. For example I've never found a good description for a complete CV axle assembly. It says "axle shaft", inner boot, outer boot, etc. Would be helpful to have an additional choice.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

May 27, 2020

Gordon - Thank you so much for your honest and glowing review! We're so happy to have you as a customer!

JR

Juan R.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Satisfied customer"

July 1, 2020

5.0

Pros

Easy to use, good reports , accurate labor hrs, easy to set up.

Cons

Repair guide, component locations, schematics

Alternatives considered

[ALLDATA](https://www.capterra.com/p/10010667/Alldata/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Cost

Switched from

[Mitchell RepairCenter](https://www.capterra.com/p/83653/Mitchell-RepairCenter/)

Cost

Review Source

lW

lance W.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Effective "

June 8, 2020

5.0

We have had it for years like it alot it helps us do invoices quickly and effectively very user friendly

Pros

Very user friendly all my office personnel use it daily so if I'm not here they know the customer history and can effectively get a quote

Cons

It sometimes doesn't have the correct hours for a job and sometimes no job listing at all this is probably less than 10 percent of the time

Review Source

MR

Mike R.  
Owner/Technician  
  
Used the software for:

### "Horrible times"

February 28, 2014

1.0

I mostly started using it to print estimates and invoices but it does not save them, so you cannot make a diag estimate and come back and add the fix to print your invoice, you have to start all over, including customer information. Second, the flat rate times are horribly innacurate. I just started my own mobile repair business and wanted to get a feel for the market before getting alldata and dedicating myself to that kind of monthly bill. The innaccurate times of this program easily cost me 10 hours per week, and I have a very leisurely schedule. I would only recomend this program for a highschool/college kid working on his friends cars a few times a month at most. It was worth the $10 to get a better feel for how to be my own service advisor but this is the easy-bake-oven of labor tools. If you run any sort of business. Skip it. I guess on the plus side my low invoices have made some extremely happy first customers.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

August 22, 2014

Mr. Richardson - Thank you for your review of our product and I am glad we were able to help you make some extremely happy first customers for your business. You are right that the Real-Time Labor Guide does not save estimates or invoices. It was not meant to be a shop management system - we have other software available that will retain all your customer and ticket history, save inventory, build reports to help run your business, etc. Regarding the labor times - we get our labor times from mechanics like you actually doing the jobs in the field. Most customers report that our labor times reflect what it actually takes them to do the job, not what the manufacturer thinks it should take. We continually work to update our database of labor times and our customer service team is always happy to hear from our customers how we can improve. Feel free to contact us anytime with examples. Thank you for trying us, and if you ever need a second opinion we hope you'll try us again in the future

WP

Will P.  
Shop Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great Peogram"

June 9, 2020

5.0

i have been using this software for about 6/7 years now and it’s the only invoice program i use.

Pros

It’s easy to use and it makes it legible to customers compared to reading an auto repair invoice from a dealership or other shop where you can’t find what was even done to your vehicle and just see the total.

Cons

the times for the jobs sometimes could be better and more accurate.

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

the price and easy use of the program and learned it very quickly.

Review Source

KG

Kevin G.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Easy to use"

May 26, 2020

5.0

Overall, we very much like the software. We have been using it for 6 years, and will continue to do so.

Pros

Ease of use. Very low cost. Estimating, invoicing, and reporting are all there.

Cons

Labor times on larger/less common jobs can be all over the map when checked against other sources. Sometimes much lower, and sometimes much higher.

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

May 27, 2020

Kevin - Thank you for your honest and glowing review! We are so happy to have had you for a customer over the last 6 years. Here's to many many more!

DB

Dale B.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great program"

June 1, 2020

5.0

It's been a great tool for my company.

Pros

If I can't find a job customer service always helps me price it out!

Cons

Everything works greatfor me. Never had a problem with anything.

Alternatives considered

[Mitchell RepairCenter](https://www.capterra.com/p/83653/Mitchell-RepairCenter/)

Reason for choosing Real-Time Labor Guide

Price

Review Source

Response from Dowell Systems

June 5, 2020

Dale - Thank you for the great review! We're glad to have you as a customer!

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