ParkNYC

NYC Department of Transportation

4.6/5

Parking & Navigation

Get ParkNYC - Official NYC Parking App

Pay for metered parking across all five boroughs. Zero convenience fees. Direct city integration.

Review

Updated Jan 2026

4.6

ParkNYC is the official parking payment app from NYC DOT, launched in 2018 and completely overhauled in 2024 with improved UI and reliability. As of January 2026, it covers all 85,000+ metered parking spots across all five boroughs with zero convenience fees - making it significantly cheaper than ParkMobile for NYC parking. The app integrates directly with the city's parking enforcement system, reducing (though not eliminating) the risk of tickets from meter maids. Users simply enter their meter number, select duration, and pay - extensions can be done remotely up to the meter's maximum time limit. The 2024 redesign addressed major complaints about crashes and payment failures that plagued earlier versions. However, ParkNYC remains frustratingly NYC-only. If you park in other cities, you still need ParkMobile or alternatives. The app also lacks features like parking history export and doesn't work at private lots or garages - only city-owned street meters.

Rating

Overall

Parking & Navigation

Features

•Zero convenience fees - save vs ParkMobile

•All five boroughs covered

•Remote parking extensions

•Direct NYC DOT integration

More Features

•Real-time meter status in high-traffic areas

•Apple Pay and Google Pay support

•Simple meter number entry

•Redesigned UI as of 2024

Pros

+No fees means immediate savings
+Official city app with enforcement integration
+Improved reliability after 2024 redesign
+Complete NYC coverage
+Lower ticket risk

Cons

−Only works in NYC
−No parking history export
−Street meters only - no private lots

Pricing

free

ParkNYC charges zero convenience fees - you pay only the meter rate set by NYC DOT. This is the app's biggest advantage over ParkMobile, which charges $0.35-$0.50 per transaction in NYC. For a $3 parking session, that's an immediate 15% savings. The app accepts credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Minimum session is typically 15 minutes, matching physical meter requirements. NYC meter rates as of 2026 range from $1.50/hour in outer boroughs to $7.50/hour in Midtown Manhattan. Maximum parking duration varies by location (1-10 hours). No subscription or premium tier exists - the app is completely free to use. The only catch: it only works in NYC. Park in Hoboken or White Plains? You're back to ParkMobile's fees.

VS Competitors

ParkMobile

PayByPhone

Traditional Meters

+ Advantages

+Zero convenience fees - major savings over ParkMobile in NYC

+Official NYC DOT app with direct parking enforcement integration

+Covers all 85,000+ metered spots across five boroughs as of 2026

+2024 redesign dramatically improved reliability and UI

+Lower risk of tickets due to direct city system integration

+Real-time meter availability in some high-traffic areas

+Simple, focused experience without upsells

+Supports Apple Pay and Google Pay

− Weaknesses

−Only works in NYC - completely useless outside city limits

−No parking history export for expense reporting

−Doesn't work at private parking lots or garages

−Occasional sync delays between payment and enforcement system

−Cannot schedule parking in advance

−Missing features like saved favorite locations

−App still experiences occasional crashes during peak hours

−No customer support phone number - email only

Verdict

If you park in NYC regularly, ParkNYC is non-negotiable. The zero convenience fees alone save hundreds of dollars annually compared to ParkMobile - every parking session is 10-20% cheaper. The 2024 redesign fixed most reliability issues, making it genuinely usable. However, it's a single-city solution. Business travelers and tourists who park across multiple cities still need ParkMobile as backup. The smart strategy for NYC residents: Use ParkNYC exclusively for street parking, but keep ParkMobile installed for private lots and out-of-city trips. For NYC-only users who never travel, ParkNYC is perfect - free, reliable, and saves money. For everyone else, it's a valuable specialty tool in a multi-app parking toolkit.

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