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Auxo Workshop vs Hoist
Hoist is a new workshop system from a small team in Upper Hutt. It opened to the public in April 2026 and it's built for New Zealand only. Auxo Workshop is our cloud platform, built on 25+ years of making software for Kiwi mechanics and owned by the Motor Trade Association (MTA).
Both run in the cloud, neither locks you into a contract, and both will move your data across for free. So the real question is what you need working on day one. This page lays it out, including the spots where Hoist does something we don't yet.
We checked Hoist's website on 20 October 2026. Software moves fast, so if anything here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.
You do your own WOFs
Our WOF check sheets are live, with NZTA submission coming soon. Hoist's is planned.
You order parts all day
We connect to BNT, Repco Nav Pro and NAPA. Hoist doesn't list any parts suppliers yet.
You want one simple price
Hoist is one plan at $140 + GST a month for 3 users. Easy to price up.
Under the hood: what's live today
If you do WOFs alongside your servicing, start here. SmartCheck Pro adds electronic WOF check sheets to Auxo Workshop, so the inspection sits with the job instead of on a clipboard. It's free to switch on and you pay per check. Direct submission to NZTA is coming soon. On Hoist's public roadmap, NZTA WOF and COF submission is listed as planned.
Parts are the other big one. Auxo Workshop connects to BNT, Repco Nav Pro and NAPA, so you can order from the job without typing it all in twice. Hoist's integrations page lists Xero, CarJam and Verifone EFTPOS, and invites parts suppliers to get in touch.
Got a site in Australia, or thinking about one? Auxo Workshop runs on both sides of the Tasman. Hoist is NZ only.
Bumper to bumper: the side-by-side
Both include no lock-in contract, free data migration and iOS and Android apps. Prices exclude GST. Hoist details are from hoist.nz, checked 20 October 2026.
Fair's fair: where Hoist shines
Photos and approvals
Hoist inspections take photos, and customers approve quotes online. Ours are coming.
One plan, no tiers
Every Hoist feature is in the one price, so there's nothing to compare.
Cheap rego lookups
Cached lookups on Hoist are 5c each.
Look past the sticker price
Hoist is $140 + GST a month for 3 users, then $10 for each extra user. Auxo Workshop Essentials is $99 + GST for 2 users. Pro is $199 + GST for 5 users, and it's where you'll find the profitability tools: the price matrix, low-margin alerts, technician performance reports and live clocking against the estimate. Pro also includes every Elite feature while Elite is on its way. Extra users are $19.
For a five-person team, that's $160 on Hoist and $199 on Auxo Workshop Pro. The $39 difference is what you pay for parts ordering, WOF check sheets and a system that works in Australia too. Whether that's worth it comes down to how many WOFs you do and how many parts you order in a week.
Common questions
Can I move from Hoist to Auxo Workshop?
Yes. We'll move your data across for free, and there's no contract, so you're never stuck.
I'm on SAM. Is Auxo Workshop the same thing in the cloud?
Auxo Workshop is our cloud platform, built on what we learned from SAM. If you're on SAM, moving across includes free data migration, onboarding and training.
Does Auxo Workshop work in Australia?
Yes. It's sold in NZ and Australia, and it connects to Burson EzyParts and Repco Nav Pro over there.
How did you check Hoist's details?
Everything about Hoist on this page comes from Hoist's own website, checked on 20 October 2026. If something's changed, let us know and we'll update it.
Take it for a test drive
See how Auxo Workshop handles a real day in your workshop. Try it free.