Comparison

Iowa 511 vs ParkOmaha

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Iowa 5114 screens
ParkOmaha4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, ParkOmaha every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Iowa 511 versus ParkOmaha: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIowa 511ParkOmaha
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (604 ratings)3.7 (386 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews28.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings604 — better386
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIowa Department of TransportationCity of Omaha

Customer experience

Iowa 511

All ratings604 ratings
Positive58.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative34.6%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

ParkOmaha

All ratings367 ratings
Positive68.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative27.8%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive28.0%
Neutral7.5%
Negative64.5%

User reviews

Iowa 511

From 604 App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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

None

Iowa 511

No in-app purchases

None

ParkOmaha

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Iowa 511 free?
Iowa 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ParkOmaha free?
ParkOmaha is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Iowa 511 or ParkOmaha?
ParkOmaha is rated higher. Iowa 511 averages 3.4 out of 5 from 604 ratings, while ParkOmaha averages 3.7 from 386 ratings.
Do Iowa 511 or ParkOmaha have ads?
Neither Iowa 511 nor ParkOmaha shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iowa 511 or ParkOmaha?
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, and ParkOmaha every 4 months. Most recently, Iowa 511 was updated on October 24, 2026 and ParkOmaha on October 24, 2026.

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