CDK Global vs DealerSocket
Compare documented scope, then run both against the same demo, integration and contract questions. This is an evidence table—not a winner declaration.
What this comparison establishes
CDK Global and DealerSocket meet on 2 shared workflow categories — dealer management systems (dms) and crm & sales enablement. Outside that overlap they are not the same purchase: CDK Global additionally covers service lane platforms, dealership websites & cms, digital retailing; DealerSocket additionally covers inventory management. Decide whether the wider record is scope you actually need or scope you will pay for and not use.
CDK Global carries a dated evidence packet naming the source that was checked. DealerSocket is at Reviewed status: its scope is mapped from current provider and market sources, but individual claims may still be one-sided. This is a statement about our research, not about the two products. Treat it as a signal to demand the same written evidence from DealerSocket that the packet already records for CDK Global — not as a reason to prefer either.
A
CDK Global
Integrated dealership platform spanning core operations, retail, CRM and fixed ops.
Full company profile →Research statusVerifiedReviewed
Corporate parentBrookfield Business PartnersSolera
Primary marketUS & CanadaUS
Typical segmentFranchise and enterprise groupsFranchise and independents
Product records138
Mapped categories53
Integration records841
Public pricingNot published — quote per configurationNot published — quote per configuration
Contract termNot established in this recordNot established in this record
Coverage split
Where they overlap, and where they do not
Mapped workflow categories only. Coverage is not capability—confirm the exact modules on the order form.
3 additional categories
1 additional category
What you are actually buying
Named product lines on each side
Packaging changes. Confirm which of these are separate line items on the order form.
Inside the shared categories, CDK Global fields 11 named lines against it (CDK Dealership Xperience, CDK Drive, CDK CRM, CDK Service, and others); DealerSocket fields 7 named lines against it (DealerSocket CRM, Auto/Mate DMS, RevenueRadar, DealerSocket Accelerate, and others). Product names are packaging, and packaging changes — ask each provider which of these appear on the order form as separate line items, which are bundled, and which are add-ons priced later.
A
CDK Global
- CDK Dealership Xperience — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK Drive — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK CRM — CRM & sales enablement
- CDK Service — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK Global Roadster — Digital retailing
- CDK Websites — Dealership websites & CMS
- CDK eSign — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK Fortellis — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK IntelliDealer Document Management — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK Service Video — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK Service Scheduling — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK ServiceView — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- CDK Desking — Dealer management systems (DMS)
B
DealerSocket
- DealerSocket CRM — CRM & sales enablement
- DealerSocket Auto/Mate DMS — Dealer management systems (DMS)
- DealerSocket Inventory+ — Inventory management
- DealerSocket RevenueRadar — CRM & sales enablement
- DealerSocket Accelerate — CRM & sales enablement
- DealerSocket Data Exchange — CRM & sales enablement
- DealerSocket Desking — CRM & sales enablement
- DealerSocket iDMS — CRM & sales enablement
Eligibility first
Settle these before comparing features
The two records describe different primary markets — CDK Global is recorded as US & Canada and DealerSocket as US. Confirm both are actually sold, supported and contracted in your country and state before anything else, because a market mismatch settles the comparison on its own.
Typical segment differs: CDK Global is recorded against franchise and enterprise groups and DealerSocket against franchise and independents. Segment is a description of who a provider usually serves, not a restriction. Ask each for a reference at your rooftop count and franchise mix rather than assuming the record excludes you.
Both companies sit inside larger groups
CDK Global is owned by Brookfield Business Partners and DealerSocket by Solera. In both cases you are choosing a position inside a portfolio, not only a product. Ask each side which sibling products are prerequisites, which integrations are free because they are internal, what happens commercially if you later drop one product in the group, and whether renewal pricing is quoted per product or per bundle.
Ask both the same questions
Evaluation criteria for the shared categories
Drawn from the buying guide for each category both records cover.
Dealer management systems (DMS)
- 1
What is native versus an add-on?
- 2
Which systems are the source of truth?
- 3
Can the dealer export all records in a usable format?
CRM & sales enablement
- 1
Is the connection read-only or bi-directional?
- 2
Who pays each integration fee?
- 3
What breaks when either product changes?
Integration exposure
Connection records touching either company
Scoped records only. Absence here is a research gap, not evidence that a connection does not exist.
Reviewed
CDK Global + Kimoby
Vendor-reported DMS integration
Directory
CDK Global + Authenticom
Certified data access varies by agreement
Reviewed
CDK Global + Impel
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Impel
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
CDK Global + Orbee
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Orbee
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
CDK Global + Numa
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
CDK Global + ProMax
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
DealerSocket + automotiveMastermind
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
CDK Global + automotiveMastermind
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
CDK Global + Widewail
Vendor-reported integration
Reviewed
DealerSocket + 700Credit
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + ActivEngage
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + AutoCheck
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + AutoRaptor
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + automotiveMastermind
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Better Car People
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Birdeye
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Black Book
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + CallRevu
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + CallSource
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + CARFAX
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + CarNow
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Car Wars
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Client Command
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + ComplyNet
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Conversica
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Covideo
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + DealerOn
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Equifax
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Experian Automotive
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Foureyes
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Spireon GoldStar
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Gubagoo
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Kelley Blue Book
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + LotLinx
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Manheim
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Marchex
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Market Scan
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Orbee
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Podium
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + ProMax
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + RouteOne
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Tekion
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + TotalCX
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + TruVideo
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + TrueCar
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Urban Science
Certified integration partner
Reviewed
DealerSocket + Vicimus
Certified integration partner
Run the same proof
Five decisive tests
- 1
Complete one real workflow end to end, including an exception.
- 2
Trace one record through every integration in both directions.
- 3
Export a usable sample dataset and open it without the vendor.
- 4
Force a support escalation and time the response.
- 5
Price implementation through termination, including renewal increases.
What this comparison cannot establish
Pricing, negotiated terms, OEM program eligibility, configured integrations, support quality and implementation outcomes vary by dealer and are not published here. This page compares documented scope and supplies the questions. The answers have to come from a written proposal, a scoped demo and a reference running your DMS and OEM.
CDK Global vs DealerSocket FAQ
What is the difference between CDK Global and DealerSocket?
CDK Global and DealerSocket meet on 2 shared workflow categories — dealer management systems (dms) and crm & sales enablement. Outside that overlap they are not the same purchase: CDK Global additionally covers service lane platforms, dealership websites & cms, digital retailing; DealerSocket additionally covers inventory management. Decide whether the wider record is scope you actually need or scope you will pay for and not use. Beyond mapped scope, the difference that matters to a dealer is configuration: which modules are on the order form, which integrations are live for your DMS, who performs the implementation, and what the three-year cost is including renewal increases.
Is CDK Global or DealerSocket better for a dealership?
Neither is named better here, and any source that names a universal winner in this category is not describing your store. Fit depends on rooftop count, OEM programs, the systems already in place, the department that has to adopt it, and the contract. Run both against the same workflow and the same questions, then compare what each proved.
Do CDK Global and DealerSocket do the same thing?
They overlap on dealer management systems (dms), crm & sales enablement. They are not equivalent outside that overlap — see the coverage split above.
How much do CDK Global and DealerSocket cost?
This directory does not publish a universal price for either, because dealership software is quoted per configuration and the same product can differ several-fold between two stores. Ask both for the same thing in writing: modules and quantities, implementation, integration and usage fees, the initial term, the renewal mechanic, the annual increase, and the cost to leave.
Which integrates better with my DMS?
That cannot be answered from a directory record, and any page that claims to is guessing. Ask each provider to state, in writing and for your DMS version: the direction of the connection, the data objects, the refresh interval, who owns and supports the connection, and the fee. Then ask your DMS provider the same questions and compare the two answers.
Can I run both CDK Global and DealerSocket?
Sometimes, but overlapping systems in dealer management systems (dms), crm & sales enablement usually create duplicate data entry and an unclear source of truth. If you are considering both, define which system owns each record before you sign either contract.
What should I ask in the demo?
Use the same script for both, drawn from the shared categories above, and require the exception cases rather than the happy path. Record what is native, what is configured, what is delivered by a partner, and what is on a roadmap.
Where does this comparison stop being useful?
At the order form. This page compares documented scope and gives you the questions to ask. It cannot tell you what either company will quote you, what its support will feel like at 5pm on the last day of the month, or whether the integration you need is live for your configuration. Those come from references and a written proposal.