Kenect is a customer communication platform for dealerships, with business texting, webchat, review requests, payments and AI voice tools. Dealer Portal includes a shared texting inbox as one module inside a larger parts and operations platform. Here is how they compare for texting.
Dealers who want a dedicated communication suite: texting from the main business number, webchat, review generation and managed reputation, payment links by text, and an AI voice agent for calls.
Dealers who want texting in the same login as their Lightspeed sync, Amazon and eBay, parts website, shipping and email, with 10,000 texts a month included in one flat price.
| Kenect | Dealer Portal | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (this tool only) | Not listed on kenect.com (demo request) | $850/mo, all modules included Email, texting, shipping, Amazon/eBay sync, Lightspeed sync, parts website, unit inventory website (built for you), Facebook poster, AI helper |
| Typical dealer cost | ~$300/mo. Typical dealer cost: what powersports dealers we work with report paying, Nov 2026; your pricing may vary. | Texting included in $850/mo (10,000 texts/mo) |
| Business texting | Yes, from the dealership's own number[1] | Shared texting line, assigned by staff and department |
| Webchat & lead capture | Yes[1] | Not included |
| Review requests & reputation | Yes, automated review requests and managed reputation services[1] | Not included |
| Payments | Payment links by text (Kenect Payments)[1] | Not included |
| AI voice agent | Yes, answers calls 24/7 and schedules appointments[1] | Not included (AI Helper works inside the app) |
| Parts e-commerce / Amazon / eBay | Not listed | Included: parts website, Amazon, eBay |
Dealer Portal is $850/month with no hidden fees: unlimited orders, tech support and email sends, 10,000 texts and $50 of AI usage a month included. Texts over 10,000 or AI usage over $50 in a month are billed as overage.
Drag to your list size. Kenect is highlighted for texting; add the other tools you'd need, then compare the total with Dealer Portal's $850/mo, all modules included.
For shared texting, yes: Dealer Portal's Inbox assigns conversations to staff and departments and handles STOP opt-outs. Kenect offers more communication features, such as reviews, webchat, payment links and an AI voice agent.
10,000 texts a month. Texts over 10,000 in a month are billed as overage.
No. Dealer Portal doesn't include review requests or reputation management.
Only employees you give Inbox access to. You control each person's access.
Shared customer texting for sales, service and parts.
Learn more →Email and SMS marketing built for your parts customers.
Learn more →Controlled access: every employee gets only the modules they need.
Learn more →Comparisons reflect each vendor's public website as checked on November 9, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details with each vendor. "Not listed" means we didn't find it on the public pages we reviewed, not that the product lacks it. ChannelAdvisor, Rithum, Shopping Cart Elite, Dealer Spike, Kenect, Podium, ShipStation, ShipWorks, Klaviyo, Constant Contact, InventoryFlow, Powersports Support, Lightspeed, Amazon, eBay, Facebook and other names are trademarks of their respective owners. Dealer Portal is not affiliated with or endorsed by them; names are used only to identify the products compared.
A 20-minute demo with your Lightspeed store, your distributors and your marketplaces.