ParkMobile

ParkMobile, LLC

4.3/5

Parking & Navigation

Get ParkMobile - Pay for Parking from Your Phone

Never hunt for coins or rush back to feed the meter. Pay and extend parking remotely in 3,500+ cities.

Review

Updated Jan 2026

4.3

ParkMobile has established itself as North America's leading parking payment app since launching in 2008, processing over 500 million parking transactions as of 2026. The service operates in more than 3,500 cities across the US, making it the most widely accepted mobile parking solution available. The core value proposition is simple: pay for parking without fumbling for coins or rushing back to feed the meter. Users enter their zone number, select parking duration, and extend remotely if needed. As of January 2026, ParkMobile has expanded beyond street parking to include 500+ airport parking facilities, stadium event parking, and university campuses. However, this market dominance comes with frustrations. The app charges convenience fees ranging from $0.35 to $0.99 per transaction - fees that add up quickly for daily parkers. The user interface, while functional, feels dated compared to newer competitors. Session management can be buggy, with users reporting failed extensions and incorrect billing. Customer service is notoriously slow to resolve disputes.

Rating

Overall

Parking & Navigation

Features

•Works in 3,500+ cities nationwide

•Pay for street parking without coins

•Extend parking remotely - no rushing back

•Available at 500+ airport parking facilities

More Features

•Parking history and receipt tracking

•Multiple payment methods accepted

•Event and stadium parking included

•ParkMobile Pass waives convenience fees

Pros

+Widest coverage of any parking app
+Remote extensions prevent parking tickets
+Works at airports, campuses, and stadiums
+Convenient for frequent travelers
+Digital receipts for expense reports

Cons

−Convenience fees add $0.35-$0.99 per transaction
−User interface feels outdated
−Zone numbers can be confusing to locate

Pricing

freemium

ParkMobile is free to download, but charges convenience fees on every transaction - typically $0.35-$0.50 for street parking and up to $0.99 for airport/event parking. These fees are in addition to the actual parking cost and can represent 10-20% markup on short sessions. A $0.45 fee on a $3 parking session is effectively a 15% surcharge. ParkMobile Pass subscription ($5.99/month or $11.99/month for Pass Plus) waives convenience fees, making it worthwhile for anyone parking more than 10 times monthly. Pass Plus adds unlimited parking session extensions. Payment methods include credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. The app rounds up to the nearest nickel for meter payments. While convenient, the fee structure makes ParkMobile significantly more expensive than feeding meters with coins or using city-specific parking apps that charge lower or no fees.

VS Competitors

PayByPhone

ParkWhiz

SpotHero

Passport Parking

City-specific apps

+ Advantages

+Largest coverage network - 3,500+ cities across North America as of 2026

+Works at 500+ airports including all major US hubs

+Remote parking extensions prevent tickets and eliminate meter rushing

+Integration with 400+ college campuses nationwide

+ParkMobile Pass subscription eliminates convenience fees for frequent parkers

+Accepts multiple payment methods including Apple Pay and PayPal

+Parking history and receipt tracking for expense reporting

+Works at major event venues and stadiums

− Weaknesses

−Convenience fees ($0.35-$0.99 per transaction) make it expensive for casual users

−Outdated user interface compared to PayByPhone and SpotHero

−Session management bugs - extensions sometimes fail to process

−Customer service response times average 3-5 days for billing disputes

−Zone numbers are confusing - often requires multiple attempts to find correct zone

−App crashes and payment failures reported more frequently than competitors

−Premium parking rates at airports often 20-30% higher than pre-booking competitors

−City-specific apps like ParkNYC or LAExpress offer lower fees in their markets

Verdict

ParkMobile dominates the parking payment space through sheer coverage, not superior experience. If you park regularly across multiple cities, it's practically essential - no other app works in as many locations. The convenience of remote extensions and mobile payment genuinely beats feeding meters. However, ParkMobile has become complacent with market leadership. The convenience fees are excessive, the app feels dated, and customer service is inadequate for the volume they process. Smart users should adopt a multi-app strategy: use ParkMobile where it's the only option, but check for city-specific alternatives that charge lower fees. In NYC, use ParkNYC. In San Francisco, try PayByPhone. For airport parking, pre-book through SpotHero instead of paying ParkMobile's premium rates. If you park 10+ times monthly, the Pass subscription pays for itself by eliminating fees. Bottom line: Download ParkMobile for its coverage, but don't assume it's always the cheapest option. The app works, but you're paying a premium for convenience.

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