A Comprehensive Guide on How to Create a Parking App in 2024

The number of motor vehicles on the road in cities is increasing all the time, while parking spaces are becoming increasingly rare. Drivers often waste a lot of time looking for a parking spot.

Citizens significantly benefit from the adoption of parking applications since they save time and nerves. The main purpose of such solutions is to locate and book available parking spaces in the area. They can also provide cashless payments, GPS, and other services.

That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide on how to create a parking app. Let’s discuss the parking app functionality and the steps to develop such an app.

Parking is a lottery for drivers almost every morning of their lives: when going to work early, being in another city, or just doing some business on their own. The parking place is not always guaranteed to be free from any other automobiles. That creates a danger for vehicle security. However, the solution to this problem is nearby - using a car parking app allows you to book a parking place beforehand.

That's why the need for car parking apps has increased, and the "how to build a parking app" question has become more essential. Furthermore, a range of their advantages are essential both for vehicle parking owners and parking businesses. Thus, drivers can save money by using the app to find the nearest and cheapest parking spot available.

For the rental vehicle sector, a parking spot finder app is a useful tool for saving time and reducing traffic violations, as many of them occur when the driver is looking for a parking spot. Additionally, car parking apps help optimize parking by guiding users to available spots, reducing congestion and enhancing the overall parking experience.

The creation of smart parking apps is also environmentally favorable. As motorists spend less time looking for parking, it helps to minimize pollution.

If you want to benefit from all the said asking "how to find parking near me," creating a specified digital solution is the best thing to do. Let’s talk about how parking app works from the user’s point of view by breaking it down into the following phases:

• Searching. The person uses GPS to find the automobile or type the required address.
• Comparing. To locate the right match, the user can sort them by pricing or distance.
• Booking. The driver obtains an access code and reserves the desired parking place.
• Paying. The client can pay beforehand with a credit card or later with cash funds.
• Driving. Driving recommendations to the parking lot are provided by the parking app.
• Parking. The driver pulls into the parking space and stops their vehicle.

At first glance, the working mechanism seems pretty simple and easy. Now, let's find out the algorithms for you, as a business owner, to accomplish parking booking app development.

Follow these seven steps to develop a parking app:

1. Create a business plan for your parking application.
2. Study the competition (e.g. BestParking).
3. Hire experienced developers to build a parking app.
4. Choose several vital features and launch an MVP.
5. Consider an intuitive design of your app.
6. Consider advanced features to make your parking app unique.
7. Keep it updated regularly.

By including this basic roadmap into your parking app development flow planning, you’ll better navigate among all development stages and it’ll be much easier to layer additional aspects like third-party integrations, location-based services, and personalization for your users.

A parking app can have plenty of functions, from online payments to navigation based on GPS. If you want to launch a car parking mobile app development, you need to start with a business idea.

There are three most common business models: navigation, navigation & booking, and multifunctional solution. We’ll consider all the details below.

This option is the basic one since it provides users with one primary function — finding a parking spot near the car’s location. Such an application can’t book a free parking spot. However, a solution of this type is perfect for an MVP of the parking booking app development to start the business.

This type is more complicated than the first one. It allows users to find and reserve the chosen parking spot. Additionally, the app can navigate the driver to the booked place.

This parking service app tends to provide a flexible payment system. So, users usually pay by credit card or in cash. There are also features like adding extra parking time or navigation back to the parked car.

Car parking management mobile application development tends to be more expensive compared to simpler solutions. Such parking system applications solve the best parking problem completely. They allow users to book the parking spot and find parking spaces nearby. Additionally, it’s possible to order door-to-door service, where valets can manage street parking and take care of parking the car for you.

How does a parking system work? The user needs to pre-book the parking space and choose the time and place to hand over the keys to the valet. With real-time parking availability features, the valet takes the car, parks it, and returns it to the owner at the specified time.

Even though parking issues are associated mostly with the urgent need to find a free spot right now, sometimes your users may demand more than that. Let’s identify and discuss four key parking app types based on criteria like distinct features, target users, and the primary value.

On-demand parking booking app development serves drivers in immediate need of a free spot or spontaneous parking in high-traffic areas. In this way, the driver can choose any convenient spot available, reserve it, and make a payment on short notice within an app.

SpotHero is one of the most comprehensive examples of on-demand parking solutions. It’s widely used across North America to find and reserve short-term parking in real-time. It allows users to book spots in garages, lots, and private parking areas near their current location. SpotHero’s key features include real-time availability, location-based filters, and integrated payment options.

On-demand parking apps usually utilize GPS and real-time data to show available spots and provide directions, reducing traffic congestion and significantly saving time to find a convenient spot. The app provides a user with the capability to filter search results based on their requirements, like distance, pricing, and parking duration. To enhance the on-the-go user experience, plenty of on-demand parking apps integrate with digital payment systems, enabling cashless transactions.

• Distinct features: Real-time availability tracking, integrated payments, GPS location services
• Target users: Users that seek short-term parking in busy urban or unfamiliar areas
• Key values for users: Resolved spot-hunting challenges, less time spent on finding a free parking spot, quick experience beneficial for short-term stays

Long-term parking booking apps cater to users in need of dedicated parking spaces for more extended periods of time – often weeks or months. The app provides users with the ability to “attach” a particular parking space exclusively through monthly or subscription-based pricing models, which offer discounted rates and priority access to parking spots.

ParkWhiz heavily focuses on monthly and long-term parking, allowing users to reserve spaces on a subscription basis, even though the app also offers on-demand options. With features like recurring payments and location management, ParkWhiz provides a reliable, long-term solution for commuters and residents looking to secure parking for extended periods in high-demand urban areas.

During long-term car parking app development, consider including booking management tools for easy subscription renewal or cancellation, customer support for inquiries, and location tracking to ensure reserved spaces remain available. Some particular long-term parking apps also offer multi-location subscriptions, enabling users to reserve spaces across different locations.

• Distinct features: Long-term booking, subscription-based payments, multi-location access
• Target users: Residents in high-demand neighborhoods, commuters
• Key values for users: Stress-free, consistent, and reliable parking experience

Event parking booking apps simplify the parking experience for attendees of concerts, sports events, thematic conventions, and other large gatherings. Users can pre-book a parking space in a location near their event venue, ensuring convenient access upon arrival. Besides, such apps allow event organizers or venue managers to partner with nearby parking providers, giving attendees a wider range of options based on location, price, and parking duration.

ParkMobile is a popular app for pre-booking parking spots specifically for events, including concerts, sports games, and festivals. The app lets users reserve parking spaces near event venues with real-time navigation assistance, reminders, and sometimes early-bird discounts for pre-booking.

Event parking apps frequently provide real-time navigation assistance and event reminders to make planning seamless. Users also benefit from streamlined entry and exit processes since the pre-booked spots reduce on-site congestion and waiting times. Just like ParkMobile, during car parking mobile app development, you may consider incorporating exclusive discounts for early reservations or include VIP parking options for special access.

• Distinct features: Pre-booking, navigation assistance, VIP access/ early-bird discounts
• Target users: attendees of large-scale events that seek to minimize the hassle of spot-hunting
• Key values for users: It guarantees convenient parking at crowded events and reduces wait times

Car parking app development requires a defined set of features. Usually, they are divided into two types according to their complexity — basic and advanced. It’s common to create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with some basic functions and, after that, add some advanced and unique features.

MVP allows you to launch an app and get some feedback from users. Based on this data, you can decide what features to add.

The following functionalities are bare-bones and are essential parts of every parking app:

Basic features are enough to launch the parking app. However, to gain loyal users and make your application unique, it’s necessary to add some complex functionality.

Below are some ideas that you can use during parking finding app development.

There are various exciting features to implement during the app development of parking spot finding. However, it’s always better to start with basic functions and gradually add advanced features.

The primary goal of any parking app is to make it stress-free for casual things such as spot hunting. Let’s define key parking booking app development trends you can consider incorporating during the creation of your own app.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms enable more accurate analysis of traffic patterns, parking demand, and peak hours to provide predictive insights. This helps users find spots faster by anticipating availability based on historical data.

For example, ParkMe uses predictive analytics to display the probability of finding available spaces in specific areas, helping users plan to park more effectively. This feature allows users to see occupancy rates and likelihoods before they even set out, saving time and reducing congestion.

IoT technology is advancing to offer real-time spot availability by connecting parking sensors, smart meters, and cameras within parking areas. This integration enables more accurate live data, making parking apps highly reliable.

Parkopedia integrates with IoT-based sensors in particular city garages to show users exact spot availability, along with additional details such as electric vehicle (EV) charger status, accessibility options, and real-time space monitoring, offering a smooth and data-rich experience.

According to Greenmatch, in 2024, nearly 25% of all new passenger car registrations are electric, reaching 17 million units in global sales. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles, during parking app development, many businesses are incorporating real-time EV charger availability, enabling users to find and reserve both a parking spot and an available charging station at once.

ChargePoint collaborates with parking apps like ParkWhiz to display charging station availability, letting EV owners plan both parking and charging needs in advance. Some apps also offer pre-payment for both services, adding an extra layer of convenience.

Payment flexibility is in high demand, and even though the majority of the parking apps now support digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) and even cryptocurrency payments to streamline the booking process.

SpotHero has introduced digital wallet integration for cashless payments, including support for Google Pay and Apple Pay. By allowing users to pay for parking in cryptocurrency in specific regions (San Francisco, New York, Chicago), SpotHero caters to tech-savvy users looking for versatile payments.

Several more aspects should be taken into account before the car parking finder app development.

If you want to create an app, you need skilled and experienced developers. There are two reliable variants — choose between an in-house vs. outsourcing development.

Outsourcing has become popular these days. Outsourcing companies offer affordable prices and high-quality final products.

Having decided to cooperate with a parking app development company, you need to study reviews and previous projects. There are platforms like Clutch and GoodFirms with firms’ rates and portfolios.

The tech stack of your future app is more important than you may think. It’s responsible for the stability and scalability of your parking space locator app development project. Applications can be native, hybrid, or cross-platform. Each of them has certain peculiarities that you need to consider beforehand. For instance, native apps are the most stable and provide the best user experience. Additionally, such applications offer the high-security level that is vital for parking apps.

Below, you can examine the approximate tech stack for city parking finder app development.

People pay a lot of attention to the application design, so it should be user-friendly and convenient. Users don’t want to spend time trying to understand how the app works. Design can assist in gaining users and their loyalty.

Creating a UI/UX design during the parking lot finder app development can take plenty of time, depending on your requirements and its complexity.

Note: At Cleveroad, we provide UI/UX design services to help you create a functional yet visually appealing parking app that’ll be intuitive and visually appealing for your users

After learning how to create a parking app, another reasonable question – how much will it cost? To put it in short, the average parking app development cost ranges from $30,000 to $150,000+. As you see, this range can’t really provide any particular value for you as a business owner seeking to create a parking app. The problem is that the price tag of your unique mobile parking app may significantly vary depending on multiple factors like the overall app complexity, feature richness, software development outsourcing region, etc.

Here’s a brief car parking mobile app development pricing range by the app complexity:

• Basic parking app (MVP): These apps usually include functionality like location-based search, real-time availability, and basic navigation, and they usually cost around $15,000 - $40,000.
• Navigation and booking app: Here, you’ll meet more functionality like spot reservation, navigation, digital payments, and extended time features, resulting in costs of $40,000 - $100,000
• Full-feature parking app: Advanced parking apps usually include valet services, real-time updates, integration with payment gateways, and advanced navigation, and may also include IoT integration and are $100,000 - $200,000+ in total outlay.

Another important aspect that constructs parking app development cost is the region where you’ll outsource IT expertise. Below, you can examine a detailed outlay of different IT professionals in the most popular outsourcing destinations:

When comparing IT specialists' rates across global regions, Central and Eastern Europe (commonly referred to as CEE region) stands out as one of the most cost-effective options for parking app development. Rates in the CEE region are generally much lower than in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania while offering skilled developers, designers, and engineers at competitive price tags. For example, developers and project managers in CEE typically charge between $30 and $60 per hour, almost half the rates seen in North America and Western Europe. The vast tech talent pool, a high percentage of advanced English speakers, and versatile skills range make CEE an ideal choice for businesses looking to develop high-quality parking apps on a budget with no compromises in quality.

Dive into our guide on how much does it cost to develop an app to gather more insights on pricing ranges, factors influencing the application costs, discover templates for cost estimates, etc.

Parking app development requires preparation since there are a lot of factors to pay attention to and features to implement. A competent IT vendor with profound expertise in the Smart City solutions building may help you a lot.

Cleveroad is a skilled software development company from Estonia. Since 2011, we've been assisting startups and organizations of all kinds in acquiring cutting-edge technology, specializing in a wide variety of IT services and bespoke software solutions. They improve workflow efficiency, address business issues, and aid in the acquisition of competitive advantages.

We offer our clients such benefits:

• Cooperation with a trusted IT partner, certified with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (quality management), and ISO 9001:2015 (security management, guaranteeing the quality and security
• Over 250 proficient in-house software engineers are available, including web and mobile developers, DevOps, PMs, designers, business analysts, QA engineers, and more
• A wide range of software services, including legacy software modernization, cross-platform development (Flutter/React Native), iOS/Android native development, managed IT services, PoC/MVP development, and much more
• Flexible cooperation models: dedicated development team to fully cover the development of your solution or IT staff augmentation to expand your development capabilities
• The flexibility of cooperation as we have R&D centers in multiple convenient regions like Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, Norway, and the United States

Our team has extensive experience in developing complex mobility solutions. To demonstrate our expertise in creating tech-savvy and reliable parking apps, we’d like to represent our experience in creating a reliable TMS with a route optimization module.

Cleveroad was commissioned to create a transportation management system (TMS) with an automated route planning module, aiming to streamline the client’s logistics operations. The objectives focused on automating route planning to improve workflows, developing a reliable TMS, and integrating it smoothly with the client’s current logistics systems. This solution was intended to optimize delivery, covering all logistics aspects from fleet management to delivery points for accurate operations.

We delivered a flexible TMS with automated route planning that also allows manual adjustments, enabling dispatchers to modify routes if navigation issues arise. A mobile app for drivers was developed to provide custom navigation features tailored to the client's needs. Cleveroad also transferred essential data from the client’s warehouse management system (WMS), integrating it with a newly created "Jobs for delivery" module and connecting warehouse and customer relationship management systems.

The TMS designed by Cleveroad significantly improved the client’s logistics, reducing delivery times and minimizing losses by automating previously manual tasks. Now all logistics is managed within one unified system we developed, which led to overhead cost cutting, improvement of vehicle ROI, and boosting overall profits. Automating route planning removed human error risks while providing flexibility for real-time adjustments, enhancing the client’s operational efficiency and accuracy.

If you want to create your own parking application, we are eager to provide you with all the necessary information as to parking search app development. Our professionals will also help you with a tech stack choice and a feature list creation, selecting those features and tools to implement them that are the most appropriate in the current situation.

Feel free to check out our portfolio to examine more of our successful use cases and our Clutch to see what our clients say about cooperation experience.