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

Passport Parking vs PayByPhone Parking

Passport Parking 4.7★ · Free to download 45
Winner PayByPhone Parking
PayByPhone Parking 4.8★ · Free to download 55

PayByPhone Parking has a slight edge over Passport Parking due to its higher lifetime rating and fewer recent critical issues, though both apps struggle with reliability and payment processing.

Full reviews: Passport Parking · PayByPhone Parking

Both Passport Parking and PayByPhone Parking are free-to-download apps for mobile parking payments. While PayByPhone has a higher lifetime rating and more reviews, both apps face significant user complaints regarding app malfunctions, payment issues, and poor customer support, especially in recent updates.

Head to head

Features tieR5R14R9R12
Passport Parking Passport Parking users appreciate features like notifications and reminders, and a clean interface R5R14. However, many users report missing UI elements like submit buttons for adding vehicles R9R12, and a lack of a map function to find parking zones R40. Some also complain about restrictive passkey rules and the inability to prepay for parking in some areas .
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking users value the convenience of extending parking time by phone and the ability to set parking duration . However, recent updates have caused issues like the loss of saved favorite locations and credentials , and some users report that the app doesn't show nearby spots or recognize parking zones R64. There are also requests for lock screen notifications and email receipts .
Ease of Use tieR5R14R1R4
Passport Parking Passport Parking is described as intuitive and stress-free by some R5R14, but many recent reviews highlight significant usability problems. Users report the app not opening R1R4R44, getting stuck in loops , slow load times , and difficulty with basic functions like adding or updating payment methods R18R25R28R31. The requirement to sign up for every use is also a point of frustration .
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking is praised for being easy and fast by many users . However, a significant number of users report issues like the app signing them out frequently , requiring re-entry of login credentials , and payment features glitching or rejecting cards . Some also find it difficult to edit or remove existing car information and experience problems with the UI on newer iPhones .
Reliability tieR1R4R11R44
Passport Parking Passport Parking suffers from numerous reliability issues, with many users reporting the app simply not working after updates R1R4R11R44, failing to process payments R18R25R28, and leading to parking tickets despite payment attempts R19. Location services are also buggy, showing incorrect locations or failing to find zones R36R40R57.
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking also has significant reliability problems, particularly with recent updates. Users report the app not working at all , failing to recognize parking zones or locations R64, and payment glitches causing rejections or citations . Some users experienced the app being down, leading to tickets .
Price/Value tieR15R16R19R33
Passport Parking Passport Parking charges a "convenience fee" which frustrates users, especially when it's the only payment option available R15. Some users feel it's a "racket" R15R16R19 and misleading, as it may charge for days parking is free R33. There are also complaints about being shorted time and unusual clock-hour charging .
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking also charges convenience fees and additional SMS fees for notifications , which users find unnecessary and frustrating. Some users feel the prices are a "rip off" and too expensive, with extra charges of 50-70p on a £4 parking fee .
Support tieR2R6R50R39
Passport Parking Passport Parking's support is widely criticized. Users report little to no ownership taken by Passport when the app malfunctions R2, limited coordination with local parking authorities R2, and slow response times R6. The in-app chat support is described as an unhelpful bot with no live agents R50. Users also complain about being referred to parking lot owners R39 and rude customer service .
PayByPhone Parking PayByPhone Parking users also face significant issues with customer support. Many report a lack of actual customer service, with only an unhelpful AI chatbot available . Attempts to recover passwords via SMS often fail , and there are complaints about confusing instructions and a lack of clarity .
Pick Passport Parking if

You are in an area where Passport Parking is the only option and you are willing to troubleshoot potential app issues and deal with convenience fees R15.

Pick PayByPhone Parking if

You prioritize a slightly higher lifetime rating and a larger user base, and are prepared for potential login and location recognition issues R64.

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so the negative reviews are likely from a mix of paying and non-paying users experiencing friction. The recent reviews for both apps show a strong negative skew, indicating a decline in user satisfaction or an increase in critical bugs.

Frequently asked

Do these apps support Apple Pay?
Passport Parking does not support Apple Pay, which is a common complaint among its users R32R38R47R52. PayByPhone Parking claims to accept Apple Pay, but users report the option is often grayed out or doesn't work .
Can I save my payment methods and vehicle information?
Passport Parking users frequently report issues with saving payment methods, with the app often failing to save new cards or recognizing existing ones as duplicates without allowing updates R18R25R28R31. Similarly, adding new vehicles can be problematic due to missing submit buttons R9R12. PayByPhone Parking users also experience issues with saved information, as recent updates have deleted personal details and favorite locations , and some find it difficult to edit or remove existing car descriptions .
Are there issues with location recognition and finding parking zones?
Yes, both apps have significant problems with location recognition. Passport Parking users report the app showing incorrect locations R36R40 or failing to accept parking space numbers because it demands a non-existent parking zone R57. PayByPhone Parking users frequently state that the app doesn't tell them nearby spots or recognize parking zone numbers, often returning messages that the code is unavailable or doesn't exist R64.

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. [R5] Passport Parking 5/5 · US Seamless, Reliable, and Actually Makes Parking Easy: Passport Parking is one of those rare apps that just works exactly how you need it to. It’s all fast, intuitive, and stress-free. No more running back to the meter or guessing if you have enough time left. The notifications and reminders are a game changer, and the interface is super clean and easy to navigate. Payments are smooth, receipts are
  2. [R14] Passport Parking 5/5 · GB Works well: I realise that it is just a parking app and should be fairly hard to mess up, however have used others that don’t even do this simple task well. All the functions I’ve used seem to work smoothly and intuitively without an excessive amount of selections. The notifications and countdown timer are a good idea to. Simple but useful. Just what an app like this needs. I’m from uk and could d
  3. [R9] Passport Parking 3/5 · US iOS UI buttons missing: Can't see numbers as I type space number. IOS problem compounded by non universal design. Tried to add a car today. There is no SUBMIT button showing on the form. Pressing RETURN on keyboard doesn't submit form. App has not been updated for iOS 26. Is there nobody working? What do they do with the money they are making? Submit button shows during iPhone mirroring, so that m
  4. [R12] Passport Parking 3/5 · US Help!: I’m trying to add a vehicle and there is no submit button. I can add the info but there is no way to save it. I also tried to edit an existing vehicle but the same thing. No submit button. iPhone 15 iOS 26.1
  5. [R1] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Not Working after latest patch…: Usually works great and now it won’t even open up on my phone. Maybe revert back to an earlier build that actually works… I mean just think of all the convenience fees you’re missing out on.
  6. [R4] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Cannot open app: I’m their latest update I can no longer even open the app. Now I’ll be stuck with a parking ticket. Thanks!
  7. [R11] Passport Parking 4/5 · US Please fix it: Have used it for the past year, very convenient and easy to use except for the past week it messages we have encountered a problem and asks to validate but it still doesn't work after entering thr validation code.
  8. [R44] Passport Parking 1/5 · US What happened?!: We needed to go to government center for documents and parked in the lot. Usually, your app has been great in Clayton MO! Not only did I ‘need an update’ on the app, which took 5 minutes, I also was not able to reach not able to get the app to open. If I get a ticket, who should I call? Really!!! What happened here?
  9. [R15] Passport Parking 3/5 · US A racket: Why is there a “convenience fee” if THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO PAY FOR PARKING AVAILABLE!!!
  10. [R16] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Not a real app: Warning. Scam company. They attempt to steal your money through deceptive practices. Make very sure you read all of their fine print before you park in one of their spots.
  11. [R19] Passport Parking 1/5 · US A doggone racket: Be prepared to pay and still get a ticket. Useless app.
  12. [R33] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Be careful...Misleading: Be careful with this app. They say that they offer updated parking fees even on days that parking is free. This is not the case. They have no control on this feature and is misleading and false advertising.
  13. [R2] Passport Parking 4/5 · US Wanting for better support when app malfunctions: When app malfunctions, little to no ownership is taken by Passport. Limited support/coordination with local parking authorities, even for simple issues, makes for a frustrating experience, especially given that this has become a more popular payment option.
  14. [R6] Passport Parking 3/5 · US Can’t save a new vehicle: Edit: after reaching out Twice through the app, this review and once through the website, I finally heard back from somebody. They did help me resolve the issue so I am changing my review from one star to three stars. When that app works it’s great. But very difficult if it does not. Especially since my city has disabled all the meters so that app is the only option to pa
  15. [R50] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Chat support is a lie: It has a “chat with us” button. The “us” doesn’t exist. It’s an unhelpful bot that, when links to FAQ pages don’t solve your problem, then tells you there is actually no live chat. Don’t call it “chat” or else let people know when they start that you don’t provide agents or actual support. Have issues paying for parking? You’re on your own.
  16. [R39] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Non helpful customer service: Customer service refers you to the company who owns the parking lot. “States first hour free” but yet you still pay for all day parking. No option to cancel no option to stop it once you leave within first hour.. Only reason not disputing is because the money goes towards a church. Be aware of the Parking lot rules before you put your cc information. First and last ti
  17. [R32] Passport Parking 2/5 · US Payment options: I wish they add Apple pay so I can use any card I want instead of putting my card info and might get stolen by cyber attack or bug on the App It would be safer then giving all my card info and faster to pay
  18. [R38] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Junk: OmidD mentioned the problem. Well one problem. If you have a saved payment type and it’s expired, the app doesn’t tell you that or offer to update it. Instead it shows no payment types. Then you enter in the payment info and it says it already exists. At no time telling you the actual problem. Next: it is CRAZY that this app doesn’t support Apple Pay. That is nuts. I’m parking and want to g
  19. [R47] Passport Parking 1/5 · US inconvenient: lack of apple pay or autofill CC info is a pita
  20. [R52] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Parking App Review: Impressively bad, super slow and insane that you can’t do Apple Pay.
  21. [R18] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Won’t accept a payment method for MONTHS: For MONTHS this app won’t save a payment method. Not the kind of thing you want to deal with when you’re parking to go to an appointment. The thing is, the developer KNOWS this problem exists, and as I write this, the app hasn’t been updated for 4 MONTHS. They claim it only happens on “newer phones”, and they claim it’s Apple’s problem, not theirs. I’m goi
  22. [R25] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Can’t update payment: My old card expired and the app won’t let me update my payment. I’ve tried everything- close/reopen. WiFi in/off. Reinstall. Nothing works.
  23. [R28] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Unreliable app does not let me use my saved payment methods: It was convenient getting to save my vehicle and common parking zones, but impossible to pay using a saved card. It makes me enter the card information every time I tried to check out, then flagged it as being identical to an already saved card. Deleted the app, use the website instead
  24. [R31] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Won’t save payment method: This trash app won’t save my payment method. The app gives you a window to switch to data from WiFi because some networks won’t let app traffic through. Well I did just that and still couldn’t save my payment method.
  25. [R36] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Buggy, Terrible, Unusable: It’s a simple concept to mess up. I type in the number on the sign post here in Florida. It shows I’m trying to park on a mountain in Tibet… no quick response. Fingers crossed I don’t get a boot.
  26. [R40] Passport Parking 2/5 · US Functional but awful: This app (kind of) works as it should, but is mostly hot garbage. Parking lots show up in incorrect locations, if at all, so searching via the map is 50/50 at best.
  27. [R57] Passport Parking 1/5 · US Terrible experience: The app demands that the user enter the passport parking zone, but there is no such thing as a parking zone listed on any of the signage in the area in downtown Saint Paul. It will not accept the number of individual parking spaces, which are what are on the signs, because it is demanding the nonexistent parking zone. I don’t know whether this is the fault of the app or of the
  28. [R64] PayByPhone Parking 1/5 · US Non functional: After happily using this app for years, it has not worked for the past month or so. It doesn’t recognize the parking zone making it unusable. Moved on to another app.

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