Hey Charleston, Katie here. One of my least favorite activities in Charleston is attempting to find parking. Whether I allot myself 20 extra minutes to find a spot before I need to be somewhere or decide to just wing it, I feel like I’m always running behind because I can’t find an open space that doesn’t break the bank.

Well, thanks to beloved 21st century technology, there are mobile parking apps available that can assist you with planning ahead + being prepared.

I did some digging and downloaded five free parking apps – ranging from local to national – and set out on a mission to test out how much they increased parking convenience. 🚗

The premise is simple: download the free app, type in the location + time of when and where you want to park, and each app automatically generates options for you. Here is a breakdown pros, cons + unique features of each app:

HAH Parking
⭐ Unique features: Allows residents to rent out their driveways or garages for a portion of the proceeds (the amount earned is dependent on demand of parking space at the time); Charleston startup.
💰 Fees: Small service fees to book a parking space
✅ Pros: Can reserve a spot through the app; can extend sessions if allowed; gives clear parking instructions once a spot is purchased; can search for future availability; gives details of spots like, “fits larger cars,” and, “paved/unpaved.”
❌ Cons: Doesn’t show street parking.
📱 Download Apple + Android apps here.

Flowbird
⭐ Unique feature: Tells you the exact amount of open spots + where they are located.
💰 Fees: Small service fees
✅ Pros: It doesn’t just estimate the amount of spots open – it tells you the exact amount.
❌ Cons: Only useable in IOP; can’t pay to book spot ahead of time.
📱 Download Apple + Android apps here.

Passport Parking
⭐ Unique feature: Claims its own parking meters or spots, but allows people to still pay for them physically if they desire.
💰 Fees: Small service fees
✅ Pros: Extremely simple and user-friendly.
❌ Cons: Doesn’t show you available spots, only works for designated Passport Parking meters; not very many spots available in Charleston.
📱 Download Apple + Android apps here.

ParkMe
⭐ Unique feature: Shows a color-coded grid of street parking including estimated availability, pricing of meters + “no parking” zones.
💰 Fees: None
✅ Pros: Shows metered, garage + lot options; has monthly parking options; tells rates, amenities, lost ticket fees, payment options + operating hours of lots and garages.
❌ Cons: You can’t book a spot through the app.
📱 Download Apple + Android apps here.

BestParking
⭐ Unique feature: Lists walking distance from the available parking spots to your desired destination.
💰 Fees: None
✅ Pros: Lists prices + walking distances of parking spots.
❌ Cons: The spots don’t say if its a garage, lot or street parking; doesn’t tell if the space is unavailable or available; can’t pay for spot through app.
📱 Download Apple + Android apps here.

My takeaway: No one app is the golden ticket for convenient parking. They all have their hindrances, but they definitely make parking a little less stressful once you get the hang of them. My favorite features include ParkMe’s color-coded street parking grid + Flowbird’s exact number of open spots.

ParkMe’s color-coded street parking grid

When in doubt, you can also find official pricing + rules of parking through the City of Charleston’s website here.