The best parking app is the one your local car parks and meters accept, because a brilliant app is useless if the sign says another one. Check coverage where you drive, whether you can extend a session remotely, and how reminders work. Ten apps follow in no particular order, with steps to avoid a ticket.
Parking apps solve two different problems. Some help you pay at meters and council car parks without coins; others help you find and book a space before you arrive. The first kind isn't really your choice, because it's decided by whoever runs the car park, but the second one is.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, covering the US and the UK. Each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today. If you drive for a living, my list of apps that pay you to drive might be useful too.
Parking apps compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or store listing describes a free app, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. The apps are free to download; you pay for the parking itself and sometimes a small service charge.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BestParking | Parking booking app | Comparing garages in big US cities | Yes |
| HonkMobile | Parking payment app | Paying at partner lots in Canada | Yes |
| JustPark | UK parking app | Booking private driveways in the UK | Yes |
| ParkMobile | Parking payment app | Paying at US meters and zones | Yes |
| ParkWhiz | Parking booking app | Airport and stadium parking | Yes |
| PayByPhone | Parking payment app | Paying council parking by phone | Yes |
| RingGo | UK cashless parking | UK council and station car parks | Yes |
| SpotAngels | Parking map and rules | Free street parking and rule alerts | Yes |
| SpotHero | Parking reservation app | Guaranteed spots for events | Yes |
| YourParkingSpace | UK space booking app | Monthly spaces near work | Yes |
Ten parking apps, A to Z
BestParking
Best for: City drivers who want to compare garage options near a venue and book a space before they set off.
HonkMobile
Best for: Drivers in Canada and parts of the US who park at lots that use HONK for payments and permits.
JustPark
Best for: UK drivers who want to book a private driveway or car park near a station, stadium or airport in advance.
ParkMobile
Best for: US drivers who want to pay street meters by zone number and extend time without walking back to the car.
ParkWhiz
Best for: Travellers who want to book airport or stadium parking ahead and scan a pass on arrival.
PayByPhone
Best for: Drivers in towns that use PayByPhone signs who want to pay and top up their session from the app.
RingGo
Best for: UK drivers using council, NHS or station car parks that show RingGo location codes on their signs.
SpotAngels
Best for: City drivers hunting for free street parking who want reminders before street cleaning or meter time runs out.
SpotHero
Best for: Event-goers and commuters in US cities who want a guaranteed reserved spot before they arrive.
YourParkingSpace
Best for: Commuters in UK cities who want a monthly space near work, or owners who want to rent out a driveway.
How long you have to deal with a UK parking ticket
If an app session fails and you get a ticket anyway, timing matters. GOV.UK says that for a parking ticket or penalty charge notice you usually have 28 days to pay, and in some cases the charge is reduced if you pay within 14 days.
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What that means for you: don't wait. Take a screenshot of your session in the app straight away, as it's your best evidence if you challenge the ticket, and don't let the letter sit in a drawer past the early window.
Pay-at-the-meter apps versus booking apps
Pay-at-the-meter apps work where councils, stations and hospitals have signed up, and the sign will show a location code. You pick the code, choose a duration and extend it from your phone if a meeting runs over, so you're not sprinting back to the car. Booking apps don't work like that: they list garages, driveways and car parks you can reserve in advance, often near stadiums, airports and city centres.
Most drivers end up with one of each. Install the meter app your town uses, and a booking app for days when you can't risk circling for a space.
Avoiding a ticket when you pay by app
- Check the sign for the app name and location code before you start.
- Enter your registration carefully, including any spaces or letters that look like numbers.
- Turn on reminders before your session ends.
- Extend from the app if you're running late, rather than hoping for the best.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen.
- Check the session has ended when you drive away, if the app needs you to stop it.
Parking for trips away
- Airport parking. Book early for the best choice of spaces near the terminal.
- Car hire. If you're picking up a hire car, read my check of whether Economy Bookings is legit before you book.
- Event days. Reserve a space near the venue, as street parking often disappears.
- Unfamiliar towns. Look up which meter app the local council uses before you arrive.
Do you make a parking app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a parking app
Start by looking at the signs where you park most often, and install whichever app they name. That one app'll save you more hassle than any feature list, and you won't be fumbling for coins. Then, if you regularly drive to events, airports or busy city centres, add a booking app and reserve ahead on the days that matter.
Whatever you use, double-check the registration and the location code every time. Most app parking tickets come from a typo, not a fault in the app, and they're easy to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best parking app in the UK?
It depends where you park. Councils and car park operators choose which apps they accept, so check the signs in your area.
What is the best parking app in the US?
Meter apps are set city by city, while booking apps cover garages in many cities. Many drivers use one of each.
Are parking apps free?
Most are free to download. You pay for the parking, and some apps add a small service charge or offer a subscription.
Can I extend my parking from my phone?
Usually, yes, if the car park allows it. Turn on reminders so you get a warning before time runs out.
What happens if the app fails and I get a ticket?
Keep screenshots of your session and challenge the ticket. GOV.UK says you usually have 28 days to pay or act.
Can I book a parking space in advance?
Yes, booking apps list garages, car parks and private driveways you can reserve before you travel.
