Finding a parking space can be a frustrating experience in towns and cities across Australia. Very few spaces are available during peak periods and when you do find one, parking charges can be exorbitantly expensive.

This is where peer-to-peer parking apps come in. These apps allow homeowners and businesses to rent out their parking spaces. It’s kind of like AirBnB for parking, with firms and homeowners listing their spaces for users to book online.

This sounds great but what are these apps like to use in the real world? We looked at the top five parking apps in Australia to find out.

1. Parkhound

Parkhound is the largest parking app in Australia, with thousands of listings available in most major towns and cities. Spaces can be booked from two hours a day with rolling monthly contracts also available.

Features

The app includes a detailed search facility that allows users to search for spaces nearby. Listings include information such as the size of the space and whether charging is available. Users can also use the in-app messaging service to ask questions.

Areas covered

Parkhound displays listings in all major towns and cities across Australia, although some smaller cities and remote towns have a limited number of spaces available. This may change in the future as peer-to-peer parking becomes more popular.

Cost

Parkhound is free to list spaces but the app charges a small fee on every transaction. Homeowners can expect to make from $300 to $450 per month for a secure parking space. Unsecure parking spaces can expect to make around $250 per month.

Platforms

Apple IOS
Android


Verdict

Parkhound always has plenty of spaces available, probably more than any other app listed here. The app itself is also easy to use and provides lots of information like parking space size, security and charging access. Overall we’d rate it 8 out of 10.

2. Oscar

Oscar allows users to search for available short and long-term parking spaces. Spaces can be booked from a couple of hours up to a single day. Longer-term deals are also available. Oscar also allows hotels, car park operators and businesses to list spaces.

Features

The app features an interactive map that shows nearby parking listings. Users can also create a profile that includes their car size. This ensures only suitable spaces will be shown in the search results. Once a booking is made, payment is handled by the app.

Areas covered

Most listings are limited to the Central Business Districts of major urban areas such as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Spaces in smaller towns are lacking, but new areas are being added all the time.

Cost

Spaces are free to list, but a fee of 20% is leveraged for every transaction. Users booking space through the app must also pay a small booking fee. The amount users can make depends on the location and security of the space.

Platforms

Apple IOS
Android

Verdict

Oscar has limited reach compared to native Australian apps like Parkhound. But the booking interface is easy to use and the directions were accurate. Overall we’d give it 7 out of 10.

3. EasyPark

EasyPark is one of the largest parking space apps, with spaces listed in more than 2200 destinations across Europe and Australia. Users can book spaces on a short or long-term basis and are only charged for the time they use.

Features

The app has an easy to use search facility allowing users to search for available spaces using the interactive map. This also displays information about the size and the availability of electric charging.

Area covered

EasyPark works with major hotel chains and car park operators nationwide. So they have spaces available in most major urban environments. However, options out of town or in locations off the beaten track are somewhat limited.

Cost

EasyPark is free for casual users, but there is a 10% booking fee for each transaction. Frequent users have the option of paying $1.99 per month and a 2.25% booking fee. There is no minimum booking time, you only pay for the time used.

Platforms

Apple
Android

Verdict

EasyPark is easy to use and has one of the best interfaces. But the number of spaces is limited. And many of these are with commercial operators, which makes them expensive. On the plus side, you only pay for the time used. Overall we’d rate it 7 out of 10.

4. Parkopedia

Parkopedia is another global app that offers parking spaces in around 15,000 towns and cities worldwide. The app promises to find the closest space to a user's location. And much like the other apps users can book and pay for parking online.

Features

The app allows users to search for spaces based on their current location. Spaces can be booked at short notice but there is a minimum 2hr booking time. The app also shows how far from your current location the parking space is located.

Areas covered

Parkopedia lists spaces in most major cities across Australia, but many of these are through commercial car park operators. This means there are plenty of spaces in CBD areas, but not many on the outskirts.

Price

Parkopedia provides free and paid versions. Users of the free version have to pay a small transaction fee on every booking. The amount varies depending on the location. The paid version costs $2.99 a month with users benefiting from smaller transaction fees.

Platforms

Apple
Android

Verdict

Parkopedia has an international reach and integrates with Apple Maps to provide up to date information on the availability of spaces. But most spaces are located in CBD areas with little coverage outside of these. 

5. Kerb

Kerb partners with both private users and car park operators, event venues, hospitals and universities in major Australian cities. They offer spaces on flexible terms from a couple of hours to rolling monthly rentals.

Features

The app has an easy online booking process. Spaces are displayed on an intuitive map and can be booked online in a few minutes. The app also has an alert function that alerts users when spaces become available close to their location.

Area covered

The app has spaces available in most major cities across Australia. But most of these are from commercial operators such as universities, hospitals and event venues. So users looking for a space outside of these areas may struggle to find one.

Price

Kerb charges the lister a flat 10% booking fee for each transaction, but the lister can charge as much as they want. Prices range from as little as $5 per hour to more than $400 a month.

Platforms

Apple
Android

Verdict

Kerb mostly partners with commercial operators, so it's great for users looking for short-term parking spaces in CBD areas. The app also provides lots of information about each space including the availability of charging points. 

Conclusion

We found parking apps to be an extremely efficient way of solving the parking problem. They not only allow you to book space ahead of time, thereby guaranteeing space, but you can also pay for space via the app which is a great time saver. As for which app is best, we’d go for Parkhound based on the number of spaces they have available.

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Jordan Ballard

Jordan Ballard

Automotive Content Editor

Jordan is a car finance and automotive industry specialist at Only Cars. With over 20 years of experience with frontline and management roles in sales, finance and other areas, Jordan has an incredible understanding of the automotive industry. As Automotive Content Editor, Jordan loves sharing his passion for cars with the Only Cars audience.