Finding parking spots can be a big nuisance in crowded cities like New York. Consequently, more people are looking for the best parking app to assist them on their drives and travels throughout the US. If you are like those who want convenience, choose from the best parking app options featured here.
Also read: 20 Must-Have Travel Apps You Can’t Survive Without
Inside This Article
Best Parking App Downloads
Get these top parking app picks for a hassle-free parking experience.
1. Best Parking
Best Parking is one of the most convenient parking apps for people in New York City. It allows you to look for parking spots around the city, whether you are already within the vicinity or still on the way.
Apart from finding good spots, it lets you compare the cost of each parking space. Hence, you can prioritize distance or price depending on your budget and needs. Moreover, Best Parking lets you book advanced parking in select partner garages and airports.
Besides advanced booking, you can get a digital parking pass and half off regular prices. The service is also available in many other major cities besides NYC — San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston included.
2. JustPark Parking
If you are looking for the best parking app for finding parking spaces, choose JustPark Parking. As the name implies, JustPark takes the hassle out of parking, so you can already park when you arrive.
The app finds parking spots in the US and internationally. It has more than 20,000 parking spaces you can reserve. JustPark’s selection includes regular parking lots, garages, and street parking locations. It may be filtered if you want to find a specific place or type of parking spot.
Apart from this, the app lets you reserve, pay fees and get parking instructions all within the app. It also allows you to make money using your garage as a parking rental.
3. The Parking Spot
The Parking Spot is the best parking app if your main priority is getting airport parking slots. That is because the app has partnered with major airports in the US. It is also available in 38 areas in various states.
With it, you can look for open parking spaces and use touchless payments upon entry. If you become a member, you can reserve parking spaces for free. You may even get a shuttle service going to and from the airport and the designated parking spot. In addition, some parking locations provide complimentary cleaning to clean your car while you are gone.
If you are interested in advanced booking, The Parking Spot is also conveniently available across multiple platforms. You can book through The Parking Spot’s website or the mobile app.
4. ParkMobile
ParkMobile is the best parking app if you want something free with flexibility. The app lets you look for various types of parking locations. These include your typical parking lots and more unconventional spaces, including garage and street parking.
In addition, the app’s advanced booking feature lets you book and pay for a space beforehand. It is most useful when you are heading into a new city and need to find a parking spot. If you encounter any problems, ParkMobile’s 24/7 customer service is always free to help.
Apart from this, ParkMobile allows for more convenience when you are parking on the spot. Once you have a parking spot, you may input the zone number which is on the parking meter. That will allow you to enter your parking duration so you can get notifications to extend your session. There is no more need to sprint frantically to parking meters.
Finally, the app also offers Event Parking, which is great for sporting events or concerts. To try it, filter parking lots by your needs, book a spot and redeem your space on the day. It will save you the trouble of looking for parking spaces during crowded events.
Best of all, ParkMobile is available in over 3,000 locations across major US cities. If you are interested, you can get the mobile app by simply entering your phone number on the ParkMobile website or clicking the buttons below.
5. Passport Parking
Many people pit Park Mobile vs Passport Parking — and that is understandable. After all, both apps offer similar features. For instance, both allow you to locate and reserve parking spaces in advance. You can search for options via location number and conveniently pay within the app.
In addition, for spots with meters, you can get updates about when your session is about to expire. You may also extend your parking duration in just a few taps. Hence, budgeting your time and avoiding pesky parking tickets and inconveniences are easier.
Finally, the app is great at providing accurate pricing. It even lets you know about future price hikes and pay with partner cards.
6. Parkopedia
If you need a parking app that covers several countries, then the best parking app for you is Parkopedia. It is available in more than 89 countries and has over 70 million parking spots within its database. You certainly won’t run out of options while using the app.
How it works is simple. You only have to enter the city name for the app to look for the nearest parking spot. The app will also present the related costs and how many spaces are open. This way, you can plan which parking lot is most convenient to enter. You can even get directions and use the app as a navigator tool for unfamiliar areas.
However, note that Parkopedia is a crowdsourcing-based parking app. Hence, sometimes the prices it reflects might be wrong compared to what is there in real life. In addition, this means that you can’t reserve or pay for parking beforehand. Nonetheless, this is a good choice.
7. ParkWhiz
ParkWhiz is the best parking app if you want to find open parking spaces fast. That is because it finds and highlights open spaces for you, unlike many other parking apps. In addition, it locates less expensive parking spaces so you can save money on all your trips.
ParkWhiz is also handy for users who want to park across the US, thanks to its extensive list of parking spaces. It is the most convenient for those in NYC because of its strong presence within the city.
Whether you are looking to park on the spot or pay for advanced bookings and reservations, ParkWhiz has you covered. It even has airport parking, so you are all set for long journeys. The app is also easily accessible across various mobile operating systems.
8. ParkMe
Do you need more best parking app picks that cover the US and other countries? If so, add to your list of must-try apps ParkMe. It is among the largest and most comprehensive parking apps worldwide. With it, you can access more than 84,000 parking locations across 64 nations. Major cities include New York, Tokyo, London, San Francisco, Munich, São Paulo, and more.
Apart from this, the app has outstanding features such as parking spot price comparisons. Hence, you can always expect to save money while using the app. What’s more, ParkMe may be used to reserve parking spaces beforehand using your credit card, so you are always guaranteed an open spot. It also provides parking availability two weeks in advance so you can plan.
9. Parker
If you often Google for “parking near me” or “parking garage near me”, your top priority is most likely convenience. In this case, check out Parker, one of the best parking app downloads there is.
Parker uses your GPS location to guide you to the nearest spot. Hence, you will never have to spend precious time finding a parking space around a confusing city. Through the app, you can find parking spots, garages, and lots wherever you go.
In addition, the app can display a parking establishment’s prices and hours so you can make better parking decisions. It also shows a timer; therefore, being hit with surprise parking tickets won’t happen to you again.
Unfortunately, the app’s biggest flaw is that you cannot book or pay for parking slots in advance. It can link you to other payment services like ParkMobile, though. Nonetheless, it’s one of the best parking app downloads you can try if most of your drives are around major cities in California.
10. PayByPhone
PayByPhone is another great NYC parking meter app convenient for metered parking. It is also one of the best parking app downloads that allow you to pay online.
On PayByPhone, you can enter your parking location based on a nearby sign. Afterward, you are allowed to enter your desired parking duration and pay right away. Moreover, you can extend your time through the app, so you don’t have to run back.
Like the best parking app for metered spots, it also notifies you when your time is almost up. But unlike other parking apps, PayByPhone lets you switch between business and personal accounts. Thus, you can use different cards based on the kind of trip you are on.
Best of all, PayByPhone is available in over 1,000 cities internationally. It may be used in 12 languages, too. That means non-English speakers can benefit from it. The app also has a map; therefore, you can search for nearby parking spaces more conveniently.
However, it doesn’t allow for reservations, so you should manually find lots with open spaces. Nonetheless, if the app is your cup of tea, you can install it now.
11. SpotAngels
Do you prefer a crowdsourced service? If yes, SpotAngels might be the best parking app for you. It pools information from various users, letting you find free and paid parking spots and their locations in real-time.
As for finding and showing free parking spots, SpotAngels includes side-street parking spaces among the results. That is great for when you are desperate to park. And even if paid parking spots with manageable prices are fine with you, the app is equally useful. It helps you choose wisely by showing updated pricing. Moreover, it reminds you when your metered parking time is almost up, so you won’t face extra charges.
However, the app’s specialty isn’t in reserved parking, so you will need to find alternatives if that is what you need. Nonetheless, it is a decent all-in-one app, as long as you don’t mind providing information yourself.
SpotAngels works in most major US cities, including NYC. You can easily install it on mobile by entering your number on the SpotAngels website or pressing the download buttons below.
What Are the Benefits of a Parking App?
Parking apps are convenient because they allow you to find parking lots, garages, and even street parking spaces. They are best for travelers who need to park in crowded metropolitan areas. Moreover, many parking apps provide additional services like reservations, online payments, meter tracking, and time extension. These parking apps can save you time and money and streamline your parking experiences.
How Do the Apps Set the Parking Fee and Earn?
Many of the featured parking apps are free to install. Hence, they likely don’t earn money through purchased downloads. Instead, most apps collect commissions from partner garages, cities, lots, and spaces. These establishments add the commissions to the cost of parking paid by cars, which gets reflected in the apps’ prices.
Pick Your Parking App Now
The best parking app should have all the features you want packed in. Whether your priority is reservations, online payments, or parking meter time extensions, there is an app for you. You can even mix and match the various app recommendations for different occasions to suit your needs. So, take your best picks from our list today!