# CharmPass vs ParkDC Permits

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CharmPass at 61% against ParkDC Permits's 9%. CharmPass also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.4) and ratings volume (32K vs 94). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

CharmPass holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CharmPass has 32K ratings behind it against 94, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of CharmPass's written reviews are positive against 9% of ParkDC Permits's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | CharmPass | ParkDC Permits |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (32K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charmpass/id1411574150/reviews)** | [1.4 (94 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parkdc-permits/id1557292714/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **32K** | 94 |
| Positive reviews | **61.2% of reviews** | 9.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 32 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Maryland Transit Administration](https://appshunter.io/developer/1411574149) | [District Department of Transportation](https://appshunter.io/developer/789841918) |

## What reviewers say

### CharmPass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charmpass/id1411574150)

Purchase and use transit fares instantly from your phone. Securely register payment methods and buy tickets for local services, trains, and buses. Avoid paper tickets, cash, and ticket machines.

**Highlights:** Instant fare purchase, No paper tickets, Multiple transit options, Secure payment options, Group fare purchase, Offline ticket activation

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient and easy to use
- 👍 Seamless integration with payment methods
- 🚀 Faster boarding process
- 🚀 Efficient for commuting
- 👍 Eco-friendly and paperless

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and login issues
- 🐛 Tickets not always working as expected
- 🐛 Ticket expiration issues
- 🐛 Lack of offline functionality
- 🐛 Inconsistent bus driver interactions

**Reported bugs**

- Tickets disappearing from the app
- Tickets not activating properly
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Unreliable location tracking

**Requested features**

- Loyalty program or incentives
- Improved ticket management and refund options
- Real-time transit updates and alerts
- Apple Watch integration
- Better offline support


### ParkDC Permits

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parkdc-permits/id1557292714)

Easily manage temporary street parking permits for residents and visitors in Washington, D.C. Residents can send unique codes to guests, approve parking requests in real-time, and view active permits. Visitors receive alerts and can request parking in advance or upon arrival.

**Highlights:** Send unique parking codes to visitors, Approve visitor parking requests, View permit requests and active permits, Visitors request parking in advance, Receive real-time parking alerts, Access active construction maps

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CharmPass free?

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

### Is ParkDC Permits free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CharmPass or ParkDC Permits?

CharmPass is rated higher. CharmPass averages 4.9 out of 5 from 32K ratings, while ParkDC Permits averages 1.4 from 94 ratings.

### Do CharmPass or ParkDC Permits have ads?

Neither CharmPass nor ParkDC Permits shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CharmPass or ParkDC Permits?

CharmPass ships an update every 2 months, and ParkDC Permits every 2 months. Most recently, CharmPass was updated on October 24, 2026 and ParkDC Permits on October 24, 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.*