# Park Smarter — user reviews > 171 indexed App Store user reviews of Park Smarter by IPS Group Inc, rated 4.51/5 from 11,826 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/park-smarter/id1055789534/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/park-smarter/id1055789534.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 9,569 · 4★ 782 · 3★ 343 · 2★ 187 · 1★ 919 ## What do users think of Park Smarter? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💡 Convenient remote parking meter extension - 🚀 Easy to use app - 👍 Ability to pay for parking from anywhere **Cons** - 🐛 App frequently crashes or freezes - 🔒 Security and login issues - 🚫 Inability to pay for less than 1 hour - ⚠️ Unreliable notifications and meter updates - 🤔 Confusing user interface **Commonly reported bugs** - App fails to connect to parking meters - Inaccurate meter time display - Double booking of parking spots - Incompatibility with older iOS versions **Most requested features** - Add option to pay for less than 1 hour - Improve notification system to alert users before meter expires - Provide a way to cancel/end parking session remotely ## Newest reviews (20 of 171) ### 2/5 — App needs work *2026-07-25, version 4.4.0* The map is pretty inaccurate on a lot of spots and the app crashes a lot. ### 1/5 — Miserable app *2026-06-15, version 4.4.0* Useless, incorrect on availability. Has no hours listed for zones ### 1/5 — This app sucks *2026-06-09, version 4.4.0* There is NO option to delete this app ### 1/5 — DO NOT USE *2026-06-02, version 4.4.0* It’s a scam. The payment through the app doesn’t guarantee the meter is updated from red to green with the proper time, you will, unless lucky, receive a fine. ### 1/5 — Scam *2026-05-27, version 4.4.0* They charge you … secret fees ### 1/5 — Their system sucks. *2026-05-24, version 4.4.0* Dont trust it. ### 1/5 — App down. I have no coins. *2026-04-22, version 4.4.0* Unacceptable for an app like this to just “oops” we’re not working right now. People rely on you at a moments notice for usability. If I get a $100 ticket I’m sending it to you. Via a small claims court claim. Toodles. ### 1/5 — Useless *2026-04-22, version 4.4.0* Try to reset password and it sends a link to a welcome video. Useless app. Having to create a login with password just to pay for parking is ridiculous. It should only ask for plate and payment and if I wanted to save those it should be a different option. ### 1/5 — Required license plate and credit card to be entered into the app *2026-04-04, version 4.3.7* I am looking for speed. Less required info the better. I have a spot number. I have Apple Pay on my phone. I shouldn’t have to give you license plate and credit card number. ### 3/5 — Oops? *2026-03-28, version 4.3.7* Opened the app and just got an “Oops” message saying it’s broken. Huh? What? When will it be fixed? I use this app all the time. ### 1/5 — Terrible *2026-03-28, version 4.3.7* Confusing, laggy, broken ### 1/5 — Zone not found *2026-03-12, version 4.3.7* Zones actually not found. The app is a joke. ### 1/5 — Scam *2026-02-27, version 4.3.7* I’ve paid on this app to park 2 days straight. Never let the time run out, and then back to back days i’ve gotten parking tickets. Scam ### 1/5 — Why is this app allowed on the store? *2026-02-27, version 4.3.7* Why did they allow an app with all one star ratings? This doesn't make sense – why doesn't the developer do anything about it? ### 3/5 — Issues with adding credit card *2026-02-17, version 4.3.7* Design is fine but doesn’t allow you to add any credit card. Error keeps appearing. ### 2/5 — Payment methods don’t work *2026-02-10, version 4.3.7* I scanned the QR code downloaded the app and input everything that is needed and I was confused as to why when you’re inputting your credit card it doesn’t even ask for your authorization code. I rent it and then guess what payments fail this app. I’m not sure why they made it this way because it just doesn’t work. ### 1/5 — dogshi scam of an app *2026-02-03, version 4.3.7* constantly bugging … youd expect ts to work considering how mych of a scam it is to pay for street parking ### 1/5 — Garbage *2026-02-03, version 4.3.7* This app sucks. Does not work well and not getting any better. Cities need to get rid of it. ### 1/5 — CITY OF LA DOESNT ACCEPT THIS AS A FORM OF PAYMENT *2026-01-21, version 4.3.7* We’ve loaded our parking meters using this app bc the meter itself has a QR Code encouraging this as a payment method. TOTAL SCAM. The parking enforcement has even said theirselves that the meters are not properly synced for this to work. YOU WILL BE TICKETED regardless your payment on the app. Appealing the citation.. GOODLUCK. ### 1/5 — Does not show meter *2026-01-21, version 4.3.7* The zones and meters have not been showing since December. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Terrible parking experience *2026-08-09, version 4.4.0* Will not link to Apple Pay, requires credit card input, which is frustrating while standing on the street. Requests camera access to scan QR code for parking location, but that fails. Multiple people had the same issue while parking. Wasted 10min to deal with paying for parking. ### 1/5 — Trash, doesn’t work *2026-08-02, version 4.4.0* Every available meter is unavailable ### 1/5 — Charged for parking AND a parking ticket. Don’t trust *2026-07-07, version 4.4.0* Paid for parking, got a success message for the session. Credit card payment went through, but the session wasn’t applied so I came back to a parking ticket. They refuse to assist or provide a refund at least for the parking fee. Beware when using! ### 1/5 — Hot garbage *2026-07-03, version 4.4.0* Quite possibly the worst vibe coded garbage app on the App Store. Can’t sign in, can’t reset the password. I have 4 accounts tied for 4 phone numbers and email addresses because these fools can’t figure out how to do the most basic authentication. Then they have the audacity to charge a convenience fee. Trash company delivered a trash app. ### 1/5 — Never able to open *2026-07-02, version 4.4.0* I can rarely open and use this app! What’s the point in offering a service if you can’t offer the service?? ### 1/5 — Inconvenience at its best *2026-06-27, version 4.4.0* All around ridiculous. Service fee to park. Need email/phone number/a whole bunch of other nonsense before you’re allowed to pay. No parking renewal. Surprised it didn’t ask for a tip. ### 1/5 — App doesn’t even work. You will still get citations! *2026-06-16, version 4.4.0* No good. Don’t trust this app. Will still get citations. GPS is all over the place. Zones don’t properly load. Can’t even report the bugs. No one’s watching over this app. No accountability ### 1/5 — The app does not work *2026-06-15, version 4.4.0* You can’t log in. You can’t change your password. You can’t pay for parking. Sometimes it won’t even load ### 1/5 — Sometimes it works *2026-06-15, version 4.4.0* Sometimes it works… junk ### 1/5 — App doesn’t work *2026-06-15, version 4.4.0* Unable to pay via the app, got a ticket. This app sucks. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app! *2025-01-17, version 4.1.5* Super easy to use to find parking and ensure time on the meter doesn’t run out. Makes life easier ### 5/5 — Best thing to happen to LA in years *2024-06-16, version 4.1.3* This app has actually saved my life living in LA. I recommend it to everyone especially tourists. No more running back to your car to refill your meter when you’re in class or seeing a movie or any over 2 hour event. It is possibly the best thing the city has done. ### 5/5 — A gem once you know how to use it *2024-03-30, version 4.0.3* First, click on your settings from the Home Screen, select ParkSmarter. Under Allow Location Access, select While Using App. Then make sure Precise Location is turned on. Now you’re ready to park. Once you park, make a note of the parking space. Walk to the pay machine then open the ParkSmarter app. Under Finder is Find Parking. Look for a color dot. The dot represents you and your precise location. Press the dot. The Lot Number for the Pay Machine will appear on the screen as well as The hours of operation, pay, etc. You can pay with confidence that you will not receive a parking ticket. ### 5/5 — So happy about this *2023-01-28, version 3.1.3* One of best idea that Pismo Beach can install. So longer need to run and add money to the machine. Just extend your time through the app. ### 5/5 — Thank u *2022-10-22, version 3.1.3* Brilliant, I park over night and pay from my bed in the morning. Forgot to pay the meter after parking to grab breakfast, found the spot on the map and paid from my table. Thank u. Pls don’t fail me like u have other reviewers, I cannot afford a ticket n rely on u to work thnx ### 5/5 — Couldn’t be easier! *2022-09-16, version 3.1.3* Been using this App all week in busy downtown Bar Harbor, and didn’t even have to get out of the car to pay once I knew the zone number!! ### 5/5 — One click away *2022-08-19, version 3.1.3* Much better and easy ### 5/5 — Meter time *2021-09-26, version 3.1.2* The app should allow you to cancel as well especially if you end up leaving before your time run out the same way it ask you to extend…. ### 5/5 — At easy! *2021-08-02, version 3.1.2* This parking the Park smarter App is the best invention! It makes my work parking down town a breeze. Not more worrying about getting a ticket, with this app I always know how much time I have left on the meter! And the fact that I can add time without having go to my car, it is simple the best. Thank you Sioux Falls Parking ! ### 5/5 — Great method to pay for parking, not the best for time *2020-10-30, version 3.0.28* Not having the ability to pay for less than 1 hour removes the convenience of using the app to pay for parking. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*