# Cal Poly Orientation vs ParkSmart

The clearest difference is rating: ParkSmart at 3.9 against Cal Poly Orientation's 3.4. ParkSmart also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (348 vs 22). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ParkSmart holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ParkSmart has 348 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Cal Poly Orientation's written reviews are positive against 8% of ParkSmart's.

Cal Poly Orientation ships an update every 5 months, ParkSmart fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cal Poly Orientation | ParkSmart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cal-poly-orientation/id1255335879/reviews) | **[3.9 (348 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parksmart-mobilepay/id1540710087/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **348** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **8.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 54 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo](https://appshunter.io/developer/491511839) | [ParkSmart, Inc. (U.S.)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1070369491) |

## What reviewers say

### Cal Poly Orientation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cal-poly-orientation/id1255335879)

This app provides resources and support for new students and their families to ensure a smooth transition to university life. It serves as a central hub for information and assistance.

**Highlights:** New student resources, Family support, Transition assistance, University information hub

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


### ParkSmart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parksmart-mobilepay/id1540710087)

This app simplifies parking by allowing users to pay for parking sessions directly from their mobile device. Users can find parking locations, select their duration, and pay with a single click, receiving confirmation via text. It also offers directions to lots and options for monthly parking.

**Highlights:** Mobile parking payment, Find parking lot locations, Select parking duration, Get directions to lots, Monthly parking options, Digital receipts via text

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to find parking
- 👍 Easy to use app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and confusing
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Poor authentication process
- 🐛 Difficult payment setup
- 🐛 Unreliable and terribly designed

**Reported bugs**

- App is glitchy
- Doesn't push to the next screen easily
- Authentication is horrible
- Managing cars is pretty bad
- Setting payment method takes you to the settings app

**Requested features**

- Allow one-day parking options
- Improve payment processing
- Simplify the sign-up process
- Allow password managers
- Specify special characters for passwords


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cal Poly Orientation free?

Cal Poly Orientation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ParkSmart free?

ParkSmart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cal Poly Orientation or ParkSmart?

ParkSmart is rated higher. Cal Poly Orientation averages 3.4 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while ParkSmart averages 3.9 from 348 ratings.

### Do Cal Poly Orientation or ParkSmart have ads?

Neither Cal Poly Orientation nor ParkSmart shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cal Poly Orientation or ParkSmart?

Cal Poly Orientation ships an update every 5 months, and ParkSmart fortnightly. Most recently, Cal Poly Orientation was updated on October 24, 2026 and ParkSmart on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*