AutoTempest and CarGurus look like rivals, but they do different jobs. AutoTempest is a search engine that pulls listings from other sites. CarGurus is a marketplace with its own listings and its own price analysis. AutoTempest doesn't even show CarGurus listings inline; it links to them.
Disclosure: we make CarScout, a paid alert tool. We don't sell either of these, and both are free.
The bottom line
Use AutoTempest to search many listing sites at once and get one daily email across them. Use CarGurus to judge a price, with deal ratings, price history, and days on lot on its own listings. Since AutoTempest only links to CarGurus results, most buyers should run a saved search on both.
At a glance
Facts from each company's own pages and app listings, checked October 25, 2026.
| AutoTempest | CarGurus | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Aggregator that searches other sites | Marketplace with its own listings |
| Price for shoppers | Free | Free |
| Listings shown directly | Cars.com, TrueCar, eBay Motors, Carvana, Hemmings, Cars & Bids, CarSoup, PrivateAuto, and more | CarGurus listings from dealers and private sellers |
| Linked, not shown | Autotrader, CarGurus, Facebook Marketplace, craigslist | Not applicable |
| Price analysis | Price Trends search across current and past listings | Deal ratings against its Instant Market Value, price history, days on lot |
| Alerts | Daily email alerts for a saved search | Saved-search alerts for new listings and price drops; the app advertises real-time alerts |
| Apps | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
Which has more listings?
Neither site publishes a count we could compare, so we won't guess. What we can say is how the overlap works.
AutoTempest's App Store page says it shows "comparison links" for Autotrader and CarGurus. Those links open each site's own results. So a car listed only on CarGurus won't appear in AutoTempest's results list or in its email alerts. Meanwhile, AutoTempest's direct sources include separate sites like Cars & Bids auctions and Hemmings classifieds.
That's why "which has more" is the wrong question for most buyers. They cover different pools.
Where AutoTempest wins
- One query covers Cars.com, TrueCar, eBay Motors, Carvana, and enthusiast sources like Cars & Bids and Hemmings. That's useful for rare and older cars that show up in odd places.
- AutoTempest announced daily email alerts in 2021, set up from the results page, for as many vehicles as you want.
- Its Price Trends search, added in June 2025, shows current and past listings that match a car, so you can see where prices have been.
- Its deals page says you can describe the car you want and it sets the filters for you.
Where CarGurus wins
- CarGurus rates deals from Great to Overpriced by comparing the asking price to its Instant Market Value, where a rating is available. Some used listings show "No Rating" when the dealer hasn't disclosed fees.
- Its app lists price history, days on lot, comparable cars, car history, and dealer reviews in one place.
- The CarGurus app says you can "turn on real-time alerts." We haven't measured delivery speed, so treat that as the company's description.
- CarGurus lets you filter by seller type, dealer or private.
Who should use which
| You are | Use |
|---|---|
| Still choosing a model, want a wide look | AutoTempest |
| Shopping a rare or enthusiast car | AutoTempest, for auction and classic sources |
| Judging whether a price is fair | CarGurus |
| Want app alerts on one site | CarGurus |
| Want alerts from both pools | Both, each with a saved search |
Running both means two inboxes to check. If you know the exact trim and color and would rather get one daily email of US dealer listings with include and exclude filters, that's what CarScout does, for $5 a week. It doesn't replace either site for research, and it doesn't cover private sellers.
FAQ
Is AutoTempest better than CarGurus?
Neither is better overall. AutoTempest is better for searching many sites at once. CarGurus is better for judging a price, thanks to deal ratings and listing detail. Many buyers use both.
Does AutoTempest include CarGurus listings?
No, not directly. AutoTempest's App Store page says it shows comparison links for CarGurus and Autotrader, which open those sites' own results. CarGurus listings don't appear in AutoTempest's results list or email alerts.
Which has more listings, AutoTempest or CarGurus?
Neither publishes a comparable count. They cover different pools: AutoTempest pulls from sites like Cars.com, eBay Motors, and Cars & Bids, while CarGurus shows its own dealer and private-seller listings.
Are AutoTempest and CarGurus free?
Yes. Both are free for shoppers, and both have free iOS and Android apps.
Which is better for used car alerts?
CarGurus alerts cover new listings and price drops on CarGurus, and its app advertises real-time alerts. AutoTempest's daily email covers its direct sources at once. If you want alerts from both pools, set a saved search on each.
If you're tired of running the same search on both sites, set up a scout for your exact spec. It's $5 a week and emails you once a day.
Related: CarScout vs AutoTempest, CarScout vs CarGurus, CarGurus alternatives, and Facebook Marketplace and craigslist car alerts.
Sources: AutoTempest homepage, AutoTempest deals search, AutoTempest on the App Store, AutoTempest email alerts, AutoTempest Price Trends, CarGurus on the App Store, CarGurus saved searches, CarGurus seller type answer, and CarGurus fee transparency update. Checked October 25, 2026. Features change, so confirm on each site.