# Page 3 | RO Writer Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra

> Page 3 - Is RO Writer the right Auto Repair solution for you? Explore 93 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/173266/R-O-Writer/reviews

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RO Writer

3.9 (93)

[View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/173266/R-O-Writer/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 May 14th, 2026

# Page 3 - Reviews of RO Writer

## Showing most helpful reviews

Showing 51-75 of 93 Reviews

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Most Helpful

Rating

Company Size

Reviewer's Role

Length of Use

Frequency of Use

PD

Patricia D.  
IT Manager  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "RO Writer user for 10 plus years"

December 7, 2022

5.0

Pros

Most all processes work well for what we need.

Cons

Since our upgrade in August of this year to Gen 3 we have experienced some hiccups.

Review Source

RP

Raakesh P.  
Owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "An Awesome Shop Management Program"

September 21, 2018

5.0

The Support team at RO Writer are awesome. CSR respond to all our issues in a prompt manner. The Level 1 and 2 support staff can fix any issues we have in the same day. It happens on all software packages these days.

Pros

What we like about RO Writer is the ease of use and the ability to navigate through the Software. It is very user friendly even for new users. The Accounting side of RO Writer is a must for shops looking to increase their profitability, knowing where the Margins are is very important. Our CPA recommends it also as it is very powerful in that feature. The Support team is awesome.

Cons

Speed issues, but we are on an older version and soon moving to the newer 2.3 version. Sometimes the older version will run sluggish but our database has grown leaps and bounds over the last few years.

Review Source

FT

Freddy T.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Best auto repair software "

December 19, 2022

5.0

The best.

Pros

Everything, customer support is excellent.

Cons

Nothing at everything on here is great.

Review Source

TB

Ty B.  
STORE MANAGER  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Quality Product"

December 1, 2022

5.0

Excellent overall

Pros

SMART E CAT. Ability to easily look up fluid types

Cons

Estimate conversion a bit cumbersome. They could make that easier.

Alternatives considered

[Shopmonkey](https://www.capterra.com/p/169022/Shopmonkey/)[NAPA TRACS](https://www.capterra.com/p/61551/NAPA-TRACS/)

Reason for choosing RO Writer

Ease of use and reputation.

Review Source

WL

William L.  
Service Manager  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great in 1999"

October 22, 2020

3.0

RO Writer is a large improvement over using just paper, but does not measure up to newer platforms and cloud based systems.

Pros

The best feature about RO Writer is Smart E-Cat. This is an add on feature, but does more to drag this archaic platform into this century than anything else. That said RO Writer functions as a great shop management system in 1999.

Cons

While the program functions it does everything VERY slow. There is also very little customization for most operations.

Review Source

GR

GENE R.  
PRESIDENT/OWNER  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Ransomware Killed Me "

February 21, 2019

5.0

Thank You R O WRITER for working hard to get us going and doing a GREAT JOB.

Pros

I thought I lost everything on a Friday afternoon. Went out and bought a New Server and one Workstation. Called R O Writer and was up and running on Monday, without losing anything except one day of work. Found out by R O WRITER, after software was installed that the Backup that CARFAX does every night had all of the DATA I needed to get back up and running. I thought that weekend I wad Dead in The Water.

Cons

Not being able to set software to back up Automatically. Other than not having this on my version of R O WRITER, I believe it is a Great Software for Vehicle repair.

Review Source

JM

J.T. M.  
IT Manager/Shop Manager  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Excellent Shop Mansgement Software"

January 3, 2019

5.0

Pros

We have been using ROWriter software for over 18 years. We currently have 10 shops and a central office using the software. The software is easy to use and to train employees on. It is a real asset to our shops. We also like the recent tablet extension to make ROWriter mobile in our shops. With all of the features available in ROWriter, this is the best shop management software you can buy. Support has also been really good over the years.

Cons

Would like to see more detail in the Central History between shops like parts supplier and parts invoice numbers.

Review Source

AO

Al O.  
Owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Welcome to the 21st Century, with R O Writer"

December 1, 2018

5.0

The fast R O Writer make my shop, the happier I am. Keep improving, please.

Pros

Been a customer with two locations since 1999. This program is the back bone to my biz. You guys have made some major changes to your new 2.0 update and R O Touch. It fells like the Giant has awoken. Good job. Love your team of professionals. AC is a Rock Star! The support staff "gets it done" Another satisfied customer.

Cons

Follow up when calling in and leaving messages in timely order could use improvement. It's tough to have to call you back to find out when someone will fix problem.

Review Source

JM

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

### "Best Automotive repair shop software, Hands down."

April 12, 2019

5.0

Super fast and easy to build RO's and estimates. Lots of good reports. Would recommend to everyone in the Automotive repair field.

Pros

1\. Super easy to use. 2. Accounting link is the best. 3. Takes two minutes to build an estimate. 4. My sales rep is awesome \[AC Chauhan\]

Cons

None at this time. RO Writer ROCKS. Have had two other software companies, None compares to RO Writer.

Review Source

AB

ADAM B.  
ADVISOR  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "ABSOLUTE JUNK, BURNING MONEY IS MORE PRODUCTIVE "

July 11, 2017

1.0

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Pros

THE NUMBER ONE PRO OF THIS PROGRAM IS THAT IT VERY CONSISTENTLY DOES NOT WORK, AND YOU CAN GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL RANDOMLY LOSE CUSTOMER INFORMATION, APPOINTMENTS, AND CRASH. THE ABSOLUTE LACK COMPETENCY TO CREATE THIS PROGRAM WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. IT WILL COST YOU SALES, EMPLOYEES, LOST TIME AND VARIOUS OTHER EXPENSIVE UNNEEDED PROBLEMS WITH YOUR BUSINESS

Cons

THE ENTIRE PROGRAM! THE PROGRAM NOT ONLY NEVER WORKS, BUT IT ALSO CAUSES OTHER CORRUPTION ISSUES ON ANY COMPUTER THAT HAS THE SOFTWARE INSTALLED

Review Source

MI

Mitsuko I.  
Owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Awesome"

September 27, 2019

5.0

I will recommend this software to everyone, R.O Writer is the way to go. Had a bad experience with Mitchell 1 and would not recommend that to anyone.

Pros

It does everything a Mechanic Shop needs.

Cons

I love everything about it. There is nothing I do nit like about it.

Review Source

MB

Michele B.  
secretary  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Gen II "

September 25, 2019

5.0

Pros

Gen II system works well, love the scheduler . AC helped me with information about our new move, and thanks for reminding to forward then our new address.

Cons

I think the number of steps that it takes to close out the repair order when final to pay is to long , customer gets a little upset sometimes.

Review Source

EM

ERIC M.  
owner  
Automotive  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Overly complicated system with NO tech support"

June 4, 2019

1.0

Working with r.o writer has been the most difficult part of doing business. constant interuptions in service with NO tech support. Having to wait over 2 weeks for a call back only to have them tell you they have no record of the original call/ problem.

Pros

switching to another software. The day we get rid of it

Cons

The list is too long. not user friendly.

Review Source

MN

Mickey N.  
Office Manager  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "User friendly program!! Long time user of RO Writer"

September 20, 2018

5.0

My sales and support reps are great and are ready to offer any advice or guidance needed to continue to improve our experience with RO Writer.

Pros

Very user friendly and great customer support- New user can use this software almost immediately without too many obstacles. Great and almost seamless integration to QuickBooks!!!!!

Cons

Some of the more technical parts of the program are not as easy to navigate through but with research through online help and training, etc. -It is a great program for any repair shop.

Review Source

BB

BRYANT B.  
OWNER  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "THE BEST SOFTWARE EVER!"

February 5, 2019

5.0

TIME IS MONEY AND MONEY IS TIME! IF YOU WANT THE TWO WORKING TOGETHER GO WITH R.O. WRITER.

Pros

MOST EFFICIENT AND EASY TO USE. EASY ACCESS TO ALL APPLICATIONS ON THIS SOFTWARE FROM CREDIT CARD MACHINE TO QUICK BOOK FINANCES , PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENTS , CAR FAXES, ALL LINES TO PART SUPPLIERS TO DEALERSHIPS.

Cons

LITTLE PRICEY FOR SMALL SHOPS BUT STILL WORTH THE VALUE. COULD BE FASTER SERVICE ON RETURN CALLS BUT THE PEOPLE THAT HANDLE THE CALLS ARE VERY EFFICIENT.

Review Source

JS

Joe S.  
Owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Excellent & professional!"

September 11, 2018

5.0

From the sales rep Stan helping me out multiple times from one business to another and A.C. Moore being very active in making sure I was taken care of . Two thumbs up and will recommend this to any other shop

Pros

User friendly I can almost do anything from selling parts or looking at my inventory this is a go to for any shop

Cons

Needs more advertising for sure this will get better in time I’m sure . As for the accounting this isn’t very user friendly even after the training

Review Source

kT

kim T.  
owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "best ever15 yrs ago"

December 4, 2018

2.0

get something else

Pros

it truly was the best ever ! it was a money machine, awesome records , tracking of techs, mor reports than you could ever need, inventory control, parts ordering, they had the bases covered

Cons

too many owner changes, support not there, guessing their best people left over the years, nothing but trouble & disappointment , its now a mussel loader with wet powder!

Review Source

SB

Scott B.  
Owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Crashes and support is awful"

April 2, 2018

1.0

I would not recommend this software to anyone. Any new system needs to be cloudbased. It will cause your Service adviser to quit.

Pros

Smart E Cat was nice to use when it worked. I like the parts return system. You need to run AutoApps with it to run efficiently.

Cons

Tech support was not good. Software would crash DAILY. Loses information constantly. Slow to update or improve any features. Expensive.

Review Source

SB

Steve B.  
Owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Exactly the way I Imagined it could be."

February 5, 2019

5.0

This software is great, gone are the days of stacks of papers, and techs not knowing what to do next.

Pros

RO Writer is the ideal way to manage your shop. Seamlessly integrates with VirtualVehicle, and Quickbooks.

Cons

There are a lot of moving parts of this software, and its a little hard to learn but when you get the proper training from the RO Writer Team, its incredibly powerful.

Review Source

GF

Gary F.  
Owner  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "12 Years with RO Writer"

October 11, 2018

5.0

Pros

This product makes us money. Not only in grosses on sales, but on efficiencies. It makes ordering part very easy and you can compare competitors pricing.

Cons

Hard to learn, but the best product once you do learn it. The system does lock up from time to time, but easy to restart. Sometimes takes quite a while to get through to customer support.

Review Source

MG

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

### "Customer supportless for hard problems "

March 9, 2019

3.0

Sad

Pros

Had it a long time got used to it hard to quit now

Cons

Not intuitive expensive heaven help you if you run into problems

Review Source

JS

Jennifer S.  
Receptionist  
  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Horrible Software"

January 18, 2018

1.0

I would NOT recommend this software. We will not be renewing when our contract ends!!

Pros

There is absolutely nothing good about this software. It is a total waste of dollars spent. Unfortunately I can't come up with a single pro.

Cons

Customer support is not friendly to work with, the software is always glitching out on us, you can't track invoices/emails sent

Review Source

Response from Progressive Automotive Systems

March 1, 2018

We are sorry you have had that experience with RO Writer. AMS is no longer a reseller for RO Writer and now support Protractor, a cloud-based system.

MA

MIKE A.  
SERVICE MANAGER  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "VERY EFFICIENT WAY TO RUN A LARGE OR SMALL SHOP."

February 21, 2019

5.0

Pros

THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS YOU TO RUN YOUR SHOP AND CROSS CHECK ORDERED PART WITH INVOICES BY PUTTING AN OPEN INVOICES TO A PARTICULAR STATUS. VERY OFFICIANT. IT HAS ALLOWED ME TO RUN A $2,000,000 SHOP BY MY SELF.

Cons

I WISH I COULD LOOK UP FACTORY PART NUMBERS UP WITH THIS SYSTEM

Review Source

TW

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

### "Gone but not forgotten"

February 11, 2020

3.0

I rarely give negative reviews, but since Capterra keeps prompting me to review RO Writer, here we go! We enjoyed our relationship with RO Writer for many years and truly hated that we had to leave. The deciding factor for us was their refusal to go cloud-based. We have frequent power outages in Florida, and being 'tied to a computer' was affecting us adversely.

Pros

ROW has always been very easy to use. It served us well for over 20 years.

Cons

Customer support has become slower over the past few years, which caused time delays for our shop.

Review Source

SR

Scott R.  
Partner/General Manager  
  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "AC is a smart cookie! "

November 15, 2018

5.0

Pros

RO Writer is easy to use and we love the scheduler. Allows purchases from multiple vendors which allows us to shop pricing as well.

Cons

Not a con for RO Writer but some vendors do not always support the smartecat updates which would allow for updated catalogs.

Review Source

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