Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

ParkMobile vs SpotHero

ParkMobile 4.8★ · Free to download 60
Winner SpotHero
SpotHero 4.9★ · Free + IAP 80

SpotHero is generally preferred for its value and reliability in securing parking, while ParkMobile is a widely available option but suffers from significant usability and customer service issues.

Full reviews: ParkMobile · SpotHero

SpotHero excels in providing reliable parking reservations and good value, often with excellent customer service. ParkMobile, while widely adopted, faces numerous complaints regarding app functionality, hidden fees, and poor customer support.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: SpotHeroR1R4R5R6
ParkMobile ParkMobile users appreciate its convenience for paying for parking and extending sessions, with some calling it a 'game changer' and 'life saver' R5. However, many users report critical issues with the app, including problems with the search bar, verification codes, and an inability to edit vehicle information or fix errors R1R4R6R7. Some also note issues with zone changes and the app loading incorrect license plates .
SpotHero SpotHero is praised for being easy to use for finding and booking parking, with users highlighting its convenience for planning travel and securing spots for events . However, some users struggle to find parking lots or retrieve QR codes quickly . There are also complaints about the app's GPS directing users to the wrong location and the disappearance of the 'Add to Apple Wallet' feature .
Reliability tieR7R10R13R22
ParkMobile ParkMobile's reliability is a major concern for many users, with reports of verification codes not working, payments not being accepted, and users receiving citations despite having active sessions R7R10R13. Some users also experienced account security issues, including unknown vehicles being added to their account R22.
SpotHero SpotHero is generally considered reliable by many users, who state it 'works exactly as intended' and provides 'guaranteed parking' . However, there are significant reliability issues reported, such as reservations not working at the lot, garages being overbooked, or users being turned away R79. Some users were even booted or double-charged due to issues with their SpotHero reservation R79.
Price and Value edge: SpotHeroR3R14R32R37
ParkMobile ParkMobile users frequently complain about service fees, calling them 'greed' rather than a convenience fee R3. Some also feel parking rates are 'outrageously inflated' or that the app charges for parking on days when it should be free R14R32R37. There's also a complaint about being charged to download the app .
SpotHero SpotHero is often praised for offering 'great value' and 'economical alternatives,' with users finding lower prices compared to drive-up rates R70. However, a significant number of users report paying more through SpotHero than the drive-up rate, or encountering hidden fees, such as 'oversized vehicle fees' or large 'platform fees' that are only disclosed at checkout R64R66R71.
Customer Service edge: SpotHeroR9R12R20R22
ParkMobile ParkMobile's customer service receives overwhelmingly negative feedback. Users describe it as 'awful,' 'worthless,' and 'glacially slow,' with long wait times (30-40 minutes), AI-driven responses, and agents providing 'zero support' or being rude R9R12R20R22. There are also complaints about inability to contact a person and unhelpful responses for payment issues or account problems R9R12R20R22.
SpotHero SpotHero's customer service is generally viewed positively by many, with users calling it 'great,' 'very helpful,' 'amazing,' and 'superb' for resolving issues like cancellations or problems finding spots R76R78. However, a notable number of recent reviews indicate a decline, with users reporting long wait times (over 20 minutes), unhelpful agents, or a complete lack of human customer service, leading to unresolved issues like double payments or denied refunds .
Pick ParkMobile if

You need an app for street parking in cities where ParkMobile is the primary or only option, and you value the ability to extend parking sessions remotely R5.

Pick SpotHero if

You want to pre-book parking for events or in dense city locations, prioritize finding potentially cheaper rates, and value the peace of mind of a guaranteed spot .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, often contradicting positive lifetime ratings. For ParkMobile, many recent negative reviews highlight critical app functionality issues and poor customer service. For SpotHero, while many users have positive experiences, a substantial number of recent complaints focus on hidden fees, issues with reservations at the lot, and a decline in customer service responsiveness. The free-to-download nature of both apps means some negative feedback might stem from users less invested in the service.

Frequently asked

Does ParkMobile have hidden fees?
Yes, ParkMobile charges a service fee in addition to the parking fee, which some users consider 'greed' rather than a convenience R3.
Can I get a refund if my SpotHero reservation doesn't work?
SpotHero's refund policy is a point of contention; while some users report easy cancellations and refunds to the original payment source R76R78, others state that SpotHero only offers credits instead of refunds, especially if the reservation didn't work at the lot or if the cancellation window was missed R79R97.
Is ParkMobile customer service responsive?
No, ParkMobile's customer service is widely criticized for being slow and unhelpful, with users reporting 30-40 minute wait times, AI-driven responses, and agents who offer 'zero support' for payment issues R9R12R20R34.
Does SpotHero always offer cheaper parking than drive-up rates?
While many users find SpotHero offers 'great value' and lower prices R70, a significant number of reviews indicate that users sometimes pay more through the app than the drive-up rate, especially due to hidden 'platform fees' or 'oversized vehicle fees' R64R66R71.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Who designed this app?!?: Someone who has never used it…or has never used public parking…or has never driven a car, that’s who. It doesn’t work with the iPhone camera. Come on, guys. This is common sense. Fix your app!!!!!
  2. [R4] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Fraud: They leave no way to fix the error if you have a default vehicle and are paying for a different vehicle. People make mistakes and they profit from them.
  3. [R5] ParkMobile 5/5 · US Best App Ever: ParkMobile app is a game changer! It has simplified parking payments. Best thing since sliced bread. Most intelligent cities employ this service so you can use it in several US areas.
  4. [R6] ParkMobile 3/5 · US Fix the Search Bar!!!: Much better than it was, but sometimes I have to spam click the search bar because it just doesn't open! Please fix, it's been like this for over a year
  5. [R7] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Code invalid????: I’ve been trying to finish setting up my account, but the app insists that the code… every code… that gets texted to me is invalid. I’ve tried autofilling it from Messages. Manually typing it in. No dice. This. App. Is. Broken.
  6. [R10] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Can’t verify: Download the app unfortunately every time the app asked to verify my phone number with the code sent via SMS, the app would say invalid code. So in my case, the app doesn’t work.
  7. [R13] ParkMobile 4/5 · US Tech issue: Tried to login to no avail. Was supposed to get an email with code that never came, tried the same with text never came, had to go to the meter and add time to my parking using my credit card
  8. [R22] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Account stolen and no recourse: My account with my saved credit card info was stolen and used across the country. As soon as I noticed I had a two hour parking active I checked it out in the app. I immediately contacted support and told there’s nothing they can do and will not reverse the charge or even delete my application because there is an active parking session in progress. I also contacted
  9. [R3] ParkMobile 3/5 · US Service Fee Bad: Charging a service fee in addition to parking fee - not good. It’s not a convenience fee, it’s greed.
  10. [R14] ParkMobile 2/5 · US Parking price: Way too expensive to park. !!
  11. [R32] ParkMobile 1/5 · US No honest business app: On Sunday there is no parking fee on New Jersey street parking. But this App is still charging $0.75 for parking. It doesn’t practice honest business. It’s disgusting!!!
  12. [R37] ParkMobile 4/5 · US Makes it easy to spend outrageously inflated amounts of money for parking.: Is it me, or do the rates being charged for parking keep going up and up and up and up?
  13. [R9] ParkMobile 3/5 · US Keeps sending marketing notifications: App works great for parking. But I have turned off notifications for marketing purposes but I keep getting them regularly. Their customer service is AI and have not been able to communicate with a person. Very annoying.
  14. [R12] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Bad customer service: Customer service takes about 30 to 40 minutes to connect while the AI prompts you ever couple of minutes if you’d like to continue waiting. Then once connected it took over 10 minutes for the agent to respond back, only ever answering every 5 to 10 minutes. They offer zero support on payment claiming that they do not have authority, which is an outright lie. I paid for a serv
  15. [R20] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Worst customer service ever: If you're looking for a cheap parking and nice customer service do not pick this app. Their customer service is awful. Their app is not user-friendly. I end up booking my parking on the desktop when we got to the parking garage we noticed that the license plate was wrong. I cannot figure out how to edit it. There was no way to contact them on a Sunday because nobody wo
  16. [R76] SpotHero 5/5 · US Was able to cancel plsns changed Yes!: Was able to cancel Plans changed.
  17. [R78] SpotHero 5/5 · US Refund: Appreciate the easy of use with the app. My flight got cancelled and I had to change plans. The refund gave me 2 options where it wants to default to a credit or you scroll down and get a refund to the source of payment
  18. [R79] SpotHero 1/5 · US Just end up double paying: I’ve used Spot Hero twice now and both times my Spot Hero reservation didn’t work. Whatever information Spot Hero has about the garages / lots here in LA is outdated or not compatible with their system. So twice now I’ve been double charged because I paid for my Spot Hero reservation and then just had to pay again at the actual parking lot. Spot Hero also doesn’t refund
  19. [R97] SpotHero 1/5 · US Cancellation Policy is trash and lots don’t hold a spot for you.: This app and company used to be great and I used them exclusively in NYC, but they changed their cancellation policy. You used to be able to cancel after the entrance time and get a spot hero credit. Now they don’t let you and you are out the money if you were unable to get there in your time slot. I have been turned away from park
  20. [R34] ParkMobile 1/5 · US Ridiculously difficult to use: The Las Vegas Aces use this app for some reason. Unlike all the other great aspects of being a season-ticket holder of the Aces, this service they use to provide parking is so cumbersome that nearly every year you'll need to get customer service involved to access any particular parking. And their customer service is glacially slow. Good luck
  21. [R64] SpotHero 1/5 · US Literally paid MORE than the drive-up rate: This app isn’t what it used to be! Honestly, save yourself the headache of prepaying and just look for a spot at your destination. I used SpotHero thinking I was saving money and securing a spot for my night out in San Francisco. Huge mistake. The app charged me nearly $38, but when I showed up, the sign at the garage clearly said $25 for the day. Even t
  22. [R66] SpotHero 3/5 · US Not honest: Super shady that you try to charge a $26 “fee” for a “$41” rental. You should be ashamed of yourselves. What’s even the point of searching prices if you’re just going to change them at checkout?! Shame on you!🫵😡
  23. [R70] SpotHero 5/5 · US Great value!: I always use Spot Hero to secure parking! You can’t beat the value.
  24. [R71] SpotHero 1/5 · US Worst app ever: This app costs me money in reservation more than using the parking providers

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store