Choosing the best car wash software in Kenya
Most POS systems are built for shops that sell items off a shelf. A car wash sells a service to a car, paid in cash and M-Pesa, done by washers paid by the car. Before you pay for any software, check it against the list below.
Why car washes need their own software
A shop POS counts items. A car wash needs to know the car, the washer and the M-Pesa payment that belongs to each. That is why Suds, car wash software made in Kenya, was built by a car wash owner around the counter, not the shelf.
1. Does it know the car by its plate?
A car wash's customer is a car. Software should find a returning car by its number plate, show the owner's name and visits, and price services by vehicle class: saloon, SUV, pickup, van, truck, matatu, bodaboda.
2. Does it keep your M-Pesa till or paybill?
Changing the number customers pay is costly. Look for software that works with your existing till or paybill, shows payments as they arrive and can send an STK Push prompt to the customer's phone. See how Suds handles M-Pesa.
3. Does it keep working without internet?
Networks drop. Software that stops selling when data goes off will be abandoned within a month. Sales should be saved on the device and sent later.
4. Does it pay washers by your rules?
Commission per car or per vehicle class, salaries and advances should be worked out by the software, with a statement each washer can see. This is where generic POS systems fail car washes most. See car wash commission and payroll.
5. Can you see and trust the cash?
Look for a drawer count every shift, limits on discounts and a record of every change, refund and cancellation with who made it.
6. Is it ready for KRA eTIMS?
Company and fleet customers need eTIMS invoices. Software that reports each sale to KRA in the background saves you a second system. See eTIMS for car washes.
7. Do you own your data?
You should be able to export sales, payments, expenses, wages and customers to Excel or CSV at any time, for any dates.
8. Does it grow with you?
Several branches, fleet accounts with monthly invoices, stock and expenses: you may not need them today, but switching systems later is painful. See fleet and corporate accounts and the full car wash management system.
The checklist, and how Suds measures up
| What to check | Why it matters | Suds |
|---|---|---|
| Finds the car by plate | Customers are cars | Yes |
| Your own till or paybill | No new number for customers | Yes |
| M-Pesa STK Push | Paid without codes or screenshots | Yes |
| Works offline | Networks drop | Yes |
| Washer commission and salaries | Fewer pay disputes | Yes |
| Drawer count every shift | Cash you can trust | Yes |
| KRA eTIMS | Company customers need it | On request |
| Several branches | Room to grow | Yes |
| Excel and CSV export | Your data stays yours | Yes |
| Runs on an Android phone | No expensive hardware | Yes |
Questions
What is the best car wash software in Kenya?
The one that knows cars by plate, keeps your M-Pesa till, works offline and pays washers by your rules. Suds was made by a car wash owner to do exactly that.
Do I need special hardware?
No. Suds runs on an Android phone or tablet at the counter, and a receipt printer is optional.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes. Your first month is on us, so you can test Suds before you commit. We set it up with you, and your team practises in practice mode before the first real sale.
Is the website in Kiswahili?
Yes, and in six other languages. Ask us about the app in your language.
What does it cost?
Your first month is on us, so you can test Suds before you commit. After that, send a request or a WhatsApp and we tell you the price for a business your size.
Get Suds at your business
Your first month is on us, so you can test Suds before you commit. Leave your details: we reply the same day and set it up with you. Every feature on this page is in the app today.
More from Suds
- Suds: car wash software, on your phone
- Car wash management system for Kenyan car washes
- M-Pesa POS for car washes: every payment matched to its car
- LPG gas shop software for Kenyan gas dealers
- How to run a car wash business in Kenya, day to day
- eTIMS for car washes in Kenya
- Car wash attendant commission and payroll in Kenya
- Fleet and corporate accounts for car washes