Iowa 511 vs ParkOmaha
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Iowa 511
This app provides real-time traffic and traveler information for Iowa's interstates, U.S. routes, and state highways. It offers hands-free audio announcements, a zoomable map with traffic event icons and camera views, and updates on road conditions, incidents, and closures.
- Hands-free audio announcements
- Zoomable map with traffic icons
- Real-time road condition updates
- Trucker Mode
- Personalized account for saved routes
- Traffic camera images and video
- Weather radar and alerts
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Iowa 511 is the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) official traffic and traveler information app for general travelers and commercial vehicle operators. The Iowa 511 app provides statewide up-to-date traffic information for interstates, U.S. routes, and state highways in Iowa. It does not include information for county roads or city streets. FEATURES: • Hands-free, eyes-free audio announcements of upcoming traffic events as you travel along your route • A zoom-enabled map with tappable traffic event icons and surrounding camera views • Near real-time updates on winter road conditions (including surrounding states), traffic incidents, construction, truck restrictions, and road closures • Trucker Mode with resources specific to commercial vehicle operators • Create and manage Your 511 personalized account including saved routes, areas, favorite camera views, and alerts via email and/or text. • Travel time delays associated with traffic reports (look for the orange glowing icons) • Current traffic speeds • Traffic camera images and streaming video throughout the state. Sign up for an account to save your favorite cameras for easy access later. • Snow plow camera images and locations • "Towing not recommended" events for winter storms • Real-time weather radar • Weather stations with alerting for inclement weather • Rest area locations statewide • Weigh Station Locations • Citizen reports via Waze • Electronic Message Signs NOTE: Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease device battery life. Distracted Driving The primary responsibility of every driver is the safe operation of their vehicle. While traveling, mobile communication devices should be used only when the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Do not text and drive (it's against the law) or use this app while driving. We welcome your feedback on this app. Please email your suggestions, questions, or concerns to 511Feedback@iowadot.us. The Iowa DOT's privacy policy can be found at https://iowadot.gov/policies-statements/privacy-policy App developed by Castle Rock Associates https://www.castlerockits.com/
ParkOmaha
Manage your parking sessions in Omaha directly from your smartphone. Pay for parking, extend your session remotely, and receive alerts before your time expires. Avoid the hassle of meters and enjoy a more convenient parking experience.
- Pay for parking on the go
- Extend parking sessions remotely
- Receive parking session end alerts
- View future parking rates
- Manage parking history
- Receive email receipts
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No more digging for coins. This is how parking should be. Pay, extend, and manage your parking session with Omaha's official parking app. It’s easy! PAY ON THE GO Pay quickly and securely with your smartphone. - Time's precious, stop wasting it feeding a meter. - Forget refilling the meter in the rain or braving the cold. NO PRICE SURPRISES See when parking rates will change in the future – even when there’s free parking! - Receive email receipts at the end of your parking session. - Expenses made easy, manage your parking history through the mobile app. STRESS-FREE PARKING Get alerts when your parking session is about to end. - Stop worrying about how much time is left on the meter, we have you covered. NO NEED TO RUSH Add time to your parking session directly from your phone.* - Your plans change, your parking spot shouldn't. Simply extend your parking session via our app. -------- GET STARTED TODAY 1. Download the ParkOmaha app. 2. Park where you see ParkOmaha app signs. 3. Pay for your parking session from your phone. 4. Relax, welcome to parking as it should be. -------- COMING SOON The ParkOmaha app is not done yet! We're constantly updating the app based on your feedback. -------- APP PERMISSIONS - Location Services (optional): Used to quickly provide nearby parking zones. * where applicable
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ParkOmaha at 3.7 against Iowa 511's 3.4. ParkOmaha also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). Iowa 511's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ParkOmaha holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 604 and 386 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Iowa 511's written reviews are positive against 28% of ParkOmaha's.
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, ParkOmaha every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Iowa 511 | ParkOmaha |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (604 ratings) | 3.7 (386 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 26.7% of reviews | 28.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 604 — better | 386 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 106 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Iowa Department of Transportation | City of Omaha |
Customer experience
Iowa 511
ParkOmaha
User reviews
Iowa 511
From 604 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great app for driving
- 👍 Helpful for winter driving
- 👍 Useful for seeing road conditions
- 👍 Loved the camera features
Room to improve
- 🐛 Cameras not working
- 🐛 App freezes/crashes
- 🐛 Inaccurate road condition reporting
- 🤔 Confusing new layout
ParkOmaha
From 386 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Convenient and easy to use
- 💡 Ability to see time remaining
- 👍 Works great most of the time
Room to improve
- 🐛 App frequently crashes or fails to load
- 🔒 Security and data privacy concerns
- ⏱️ Limited time options, can't extend time
- 🤔 Inconsistent and buggy user experience
Bugs and requests
Iowa 511
Reported bugs
4 issues- Cameras not loading
- Map not showing any information
- App locking up when trying to use layers
- Road condition data not updating in real-time
Requested features
3 requests- Include tow ban information with expiration times
- Improve map legend and visibility of road conditions
- Bring back old app design
ParkOmaha
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes when trying to add new vehicles
- Unable to enter full license plate or other details
- Payment processing issues, double billing
- Notifications and timers not working as expected
Requested features
4 requests- Allow extending parking time in the app
- Improve app stability and reliability
- Provide better guidance on parking zones and codes
- Add option to pay for less than an hour
In-app purchases
Iowa 511
No in-app purchases
ParkOmaha
No in-app purchases








