ParkBoston
Passport, Inc.
Get ParkBoston - Boston's Official Parking App
Pay for on-street and off-street parking in Boston right from your phone. No coins, no meters.
Review
Updated Mar 2026
ParkBoston is Boston's official mobile parking app, powered by ParkMobile. Launched by the City of Boston to modernize street parking, the app lets drivers pay for metered parking, extend sessions remotely, and receive expiration alerts — all without needing coins or returning to a physical kiosk. As the city-endorsed solution, ParkBoston is directly integrated with Boston's parking enforcement systems, meaning your payment is immediately recognized by traffic enforcement agents. The app works across Boston's metered zones including Downtown, Back Bay, South End, Fenway, Charlestown, and other neighborhoods with paid street parking. Beyond Boston, the ParkMobile backbone gives ParkBoston users access to parking in over 500 US cities, including reservations at airports, stadiums, and event venues. The main drawback is the per-session convenience fee of $0.35–$0.50. For occasional visitors to Boston this is a reasonable trade-off for the convenience; for daily commuters it adds $7–$10/month on top of regular parking costs. Since ParkBoston is essentially the ParkMobile app with Boston branding, there's no real advantage to having both apps installed.
Rating
Travel & Transportation
Features
More Features
Pros
- +City-endorsed — payments instantly recognized by enforcement
- +Remote time extension saves trips back to the meter
- +Expiration alerts help avoid costly parking tickets
- +Nationwide access to ParkMobile's 500+ city network
- +Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major credit cards
Cons
- −Convenience fee of $0.35–$0.50 per session adds up for daily users
- −Essentially the same app as ParkMobile with Boston branding
- −App can be slow during peak demand periods
Pricing
freemiumParkBoston is free to download. The app charges a convenience fee of $0.35–$0.50 per parking session on top of the standard Boston parking rate. Boston metered parking rates vary by neighborhood and time of day: Downtown and Back Bay meters typically charge $1.25–$3.00/hour during business hours (8am–8pm), with lower or free rates in evenings and on Sundays depending on the zone. A typical 2-hour parking session might cost $5.00 in meter fees plus the $0.35–$0.50 ParkBoston service fee. For frequent users, this adds up to $7–$10/month in service fees alone. Unlike ParkMobile which offers a Pass subscription ($4.99/month) to waive per-session fees, ParkBoston does not currently offer a fee-waiver subscription. The app supports credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Adding multiple vehicles to your account is free.
VS Competitors
+ Advantages
− Weaknesses
Verdict
ParkBoston is a practical essential for anyone who parks regularly on Boston streets. The city's direct integration with enforcement systems makes it the most reliable way to ensure your parking payment is recognized, reducing the risk of unwarranted tickets. The remote extension feature and expiration alerts are genuine quality-of-life improvements that justify the $0.35–$0.50 convenience fee for occasional visitors. However, Boston daily commuters paying for street parking should weigh whether a monthly garage pass or permit might be more economical — at 20 sessions/month, you're adding $7–$10 in service fees. Since ParkBoston is functionally identical to ParkMobile, if you already have ParkMobile installed you don't need both. Download ParkBoston if you're a Boston resident or frequent visitor who relies on metered street parking. It's the city's official solution and the safest choice for staying on the right side of Boston parking enforcement.
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