What is ALLDATA?
ALLDATA is an online database of automotive repair information and diagnostic tools for professional technicians, shop owners, and do-it-yourselfers (DIYers).
ALLDATA provides original equipment manufacturer (OEM) service and repair information for vehicles, including step-by-step repair procedures, Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), wiring diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts catalogs and more.
As an online reference database, ALLDATA is used regularly by professional auto mechanics at repair shops to diagnose issues, perform repairs, and maintain vehicles according to factory specifications.
ALLDATA also has a large community of non-professional DIYer users who access the database to get the detailed OEM information and guidance they need to work on their own personal vehicles.
Overall, ALLDATA aims to provide professional-level automotive data and diagnostics to both mechanics and everyday drivers looking to keep their vehicles in optimal running condition.
ALLDATA Pricing and Packages
ALLDATA offers different subscription packages tailored to both professional shops and DIY users. Pricing varies based on the package level and duration of subscription.
For professional auto repair shops, ALLDATA offers three key packages:
- ALLDATA Repair – starts at $99/month with annual subscription
- ALLDATA Manage – starts at $189/month with annual subscription
- ALLDATA Diagnostics – starts at $119/month with annual subscription
These professional packages provide comprehensive OEM repair information, shop management tools, and advanced diagnostics capabilities.
For DIYers, ALLDATA offers two packages:
- ALLDATA DIY – $26.95/month or $299/year
- ALLDATA DIY Mobile – $19.95/month or $224.95/year
These DIY packages provide repair, maintenance, and diagnostic information for domestic and import vehicles. The DIY Mobile plan adds mobile access and vehicle-specific maintenance schedules.
Overall, ALLDATA pricing ranges from $19.95/month for DIY Mobile access up to $189/month for the full Manage shop solution. Multi-year discounts are available on annual subscriptions. More customized quotes are available from ALLDATA sales representatives.
See ALLDATA pricing for full details on all available pricing tiers and packages.
Free ALLDATA Trial
ALLDATA offers a 7-day free trial of their professional-level subscription to auto repair shops and independent technicians. This gives full access to the features of an ALLDATA Repair pro-level subscription for one week, with no commitments or payments required.
According to the ALLDATA website, shops and technicians can request one free 7-day trial per calendar year. To get started, you’ll need to request a demo and set up the trial with an ALLDATA representative.
The free trial includes access to ALLDATA’s full database of repair information, including step-by-step procedures, technical service bulletins (TSBs), diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and wiring diagrams. Technicians can look up specifications, maintenance schedules, and more.
While the free trial is limited to 7 days, it does provide the opportunity to fully evaluate the ALLDATA Repair software and database. For shops or technicians considering a paid subscription, the free trial allows hands-on experience to determine if ALLDATA’s offering is the right fit for their needs.
More details on the free trial options are available on ALLDATA’s website: https://www.alldata.com/us/en/Free-trial
Student Discounts
ALLDATA does offer discounts for students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. To qualify for the student discount, you must verify your enrollment by submitting a copy of your student ID and class schedule to ALLDATA via email or fax.
The ALLDATA Student-Mechanic subscription provides access to the same professional-grade service and repair information available to auto shops, but at a discounted rate. According to the ALLDATA website, the Student-Mechanic subscription offers single vehicle access for $29.95 per year with the student discount, compared to the regular annual price of $39.95.
The student discounted subscription renews annually and remains valid for one year. Students must resubmit verification of enrollment each year to continue receiving the discounted rate. This provides professional technicians-in-training affordable access to the same trusted OEM repair data used in dealerships and shops.
Free ALLDATA Resources
ALLDATA does offer some limited free resources, mainly aimed at DIYers rather than professional auto repair shops. These resources include repair guides, maintenance schedules, recalls, bulletins, and instructional videos. For example, on their Resources page, ALLDATA provides free DIY videos showing how to perform basic maintenance like changing the oil. They also have a free VIN decoder and maintenance schedule tool. However, to access most of these free resources, you need to provide your name, email, and other contact information to register an account on the ALLDATA DIY site.
According to their Resources page, ALLDATA partners with experts to provide some free webinars and training materials. But these resources seem to be mainly for business purposes like marketing and management, not actual auto repair information. Overall, while ALLDATA does provide some limited materials for free, most of their detailed technical data requires a paid subscription.
ALLDATA Mobile App
ALLDATA offers a mobile app that allows users to access many of the key features and capabilities of the ALLDATA repair database on their mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The ALLDATA mobile app is available for both Android and iOS.
With the ALLDATA mobile app, users can look up repair procedures, wiring diagrams, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), labor times, recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins for most vehicles. The app allows you to save and access your favorite vehicles and information offline. It also includes some basic OBDII diagnostic capabilities when used with approved diagnostic scan tools.
However, it’s important to note that the ALLDATA mobile app does require an active ALLDATA Repair or DIY subscription. The mobile app is an add-on service and is not available as a free standalone app. You need an existing ALLDATA account subscription to login and use the mobile app features.
Alternative Free Options
For those looking for a free alternative to ALLDATA, there are some other automotive repair databases available. However, most do not offer the same depth and breadth of vehicle coverage as ALLDATA.
Some popular free options include:
- AutoZone’s Repair Guides – Offers some basic repair information, wiring diagrams, and troubleshooting guides for free. However, the information is more limited compared to ALLDATA.
- iATN – An online community where automotive technicians can share knowledge. While a great free resource, the information is not as structured or comprehensive as ALLDATA.
- Factory service manuals – Some manufacturers provide free online factory service manuals, but these only cover specific makes/models.
The main downsides of these free options are the limited vehicle coverage, lack of detailed repair procedures, missing diagrams/specs, and unstructured nature of user-generated content.
While these alternatives are free, paid services like ALLDATA tend to offer more in-depth OEM-sourced information for diagnosing and repairing vehicles. The trade-off is paying a subscription fee for access to organized and comprehensive data.
Illegal Downloads
Some users look for cracked or pirated versions of ALLDATA software to download and use for free. However, this is not only unethical but also illegal.
ALLDATA is protected by copyright laws. Downloading pirated copies is considered copyright infringement and can result in hefty fines or even jail time in some cases.
In addition to legal risks, pirated software often contains viruses, malware, spyware or other security risks that can harm your computer. There is no quality control or support for illegally downloaded programs.
For your own safety and to avoid legal trouble, it’s best to avoid illegal ALLDATA downloads from torrents or file sharing sites. The short-term savings are not worth the huge risks.
Using ALLDATA through Library
Some public libraries provide free access to ALLDATA Repair for their patrons. This allows you to use the professional-grade auto repair information database at no cost by accessing it through the library’s website. However, availability and accessibility restrictions apply.
For example, the Midwest Literary Journal Library offers ALLDATA Repair Library and Educational Version only on library computers. You would need to physically visit the library and use their computer terminals to access ALLDATA. Remote access is not available. This limits the convenience of using ALLDATA freely compared to a paid subscription.
Additionally, some libraries may restrict access to short sessions or limit which ALLDATA products are available. There may also be constraints on printing or downloading information from ALLDATA. Policies vary by library system, so be sure to check with your local branch on availability and any limitations.
Using the library’s free ALLDATA access can be a cost-effective option for DIY mechanics to get professional repair data. However, the convenience and full capabilities of a paid ALLDATA subscription may still be preferable for frequent or intensive use.
Summary
To recap the key points, ALLDATA does not offer any permanently free options for accessing their full repair database. However, they do allow a 7-day free trial to test out the service. Students can also get discounted rates on an annual ALLDATA subscription. While some limited free resources like repair tips and recall alerts are available on the ALLDATA website, full access requires a paid membership.
The most viable free options are to try out the 7-day free trial or see if your local library provides access to ALLDATA. Downloading pirated copies or trying to get free access illegally is not recommended. For DIY mechanics or students, it may be worth considering an annual ALLDATA subscription to get full access at a discounted rate.
Overall, unless you can access ALLDATA through a library or school, the free trial is the best way to experience the service first-hand before deciding if a paid subscription is worth the investment for your needs. This allows you to evaluate the depth of repair information available compared to free resources on the internet.