Comparison

ZipBy vs Ride Sparrow

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

Head to head
About

ZipBy

This app allows you to enter and exit enabled car parks without a ticket. It automatically charges your credit card upon exit, eliminating the need to wait in line to pay. You can also pre-book parking spots for added convenience.

Highlights
  • Ticketless entry and exit
  • Automatic credit card payment
  • Pre-book parking spots
  • Secure credit card payment
  • Emailed parking receipts
  • Monthly statements
Features
Read full description

What is ZipBy? When you download and register ZipBy on your phone you can drive in and out of any ZipBy enable car park without needing a ticket. If payment is required it automatically charges your credit card when you exit the car park. Why ZipBy? • Ease of registration • User friendly • Pre-book your parking spot • Ticketless entry and exit • Secure credit card payment • No standing in line to pay for your parking • Emailed parking receipts • Emailed monthly statement • Work expense claims • Register using your contact and credit card details • Once registered no need to interact with the App • Apple Pay available for Zoned Parking payments Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Ride Sparrow

This app provides access to zero-emission e-scooters and e-bikes for convenient and affordable local travel. Explore your surroundings effortlessly and safely, whether commuting, running errands, or sightseeing.

Highlights
  • Zero-emission rides
  • Affordable travel options
  • E-scooter and e-bike access
  • Effortless exploration
  • Safe and convenient booking
  • Corporate plans available
Features
Read full description

At Sparrow, we serve communities by providing zero-emission, safe, affordable and enjoyable rides in partnership with local businesses. With access to e-scooters and e-bikes, you will not only save on costs to move around, but also be able to do that in the most convenient and care-free way. Book a Sparrow during your stay and experience the freedom of exploring the region. Ride around effortlessly with assured safety by just reserving your ride through the app. Commute to and from work and zip across town while running errands with a Sparrow. Try out our corporate plans. How to ride a Sparrow? > Download app > Find a nearby Sparrow on the map > Scan the QR code on the vehicle or enter the vehicle code to unlock > Enjoy Sparrow rides > Once done, be sure you end the ride in one of the stations marked in the app Sparrow safety tips: > Obey all traffic laws > Don’t ride on sidewalks > Always wear a helmet > One person per scooter > You must be 18+ to ride

Screenshots

ZipBy4 screens
Ride Sparrow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ride Sparrow at 93% against ZipBy's 18%. Ride Sparrow also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0). ZipBy's advantage is ratings volume (632 vs 19) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Ride Sparrow holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZipBy has 632 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of ZipBy's written reviews are positive against 93% of Ride Sparrow's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZipBy ships an update every 5 weeks, Ride Sparrow every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ZipBy versus Ride Sparrow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZipByRide Sparrow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (632 ratings)4.9 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.9% of reviews92.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings632 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB102 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZipBySparrow scooters INC

Customer experience

ZipBy

All ratings548 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral3.1%
Negative23.5%
Written reviews308 reviews
Positive17.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative79.5%

Ride Sparrow

All ratings19 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive92.6%
Neutral3.7%
Negative3.7%

Bugs and requests

ZipBy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ride Sparrow

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • App does not clearly indicate verified parking locations

Requested features

2 requests
  • Improved parking location clarity in the app
  • Ability to pause rides

In-app purchases

None

ZipBy

No in-app purchases

None

Ride Sparrow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ZipBy free?
ZipBy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ride Sparrow free?
Ride Sparrow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ZipBy or Ride Sparrow?
Ride Sparrow is rated higher. ZipBy averages 4.0 out of 5 from 632 ratings, while Ride Sparrow averages 4.9 from 19 ratings.
Do ZipBy or Ride Sparrow have ads?
Neither ZipBy nor Ride Sparrow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZipBy or Ride Sparrow?
ZipBy ships an update every 5 weeks, and Ride Sparrow every 3 months. Most recently, ZipBy was updated on October 26, 2026 and Ride Sparrow on October 24, 2026.

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