PayByPhone

PayByPhone Technologies Inc.

4.4/5

Parking & Navigation

Get PayByPhone - Mobile Parking Since 2001

Lower fees than ParkMobile. International coverage. Simple parking payment in 400+ cities.

Review

Updated Jan 2026

4.4

PayByPhone pioneered mobile parking payment back in 2001, making it the oldest player in the space. As of January 2026, the app operates in 400+ cities across the US, Canada, UK, and Europe - more international coverage than ParkMobile but less US penetration. The European presence is particularly strong, with major cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam fully covered. In US markets like San Francisco, Seattle, and Miami, PayByPhone often competes directly with ParkMobile but charges lower convenience fees ($0.25-$0.45 vs $0.35-$0.50). The app features a straightforward interface focused on core parking functionality without bloat. However, PayByPhone has struggled with technical reliability - payment processing delays and session management bugs persist even after years of complaints. The company was acquired by Volkswagen Financial Services in 2020, bringing capital but not necessarily improved execution.

Rating

Overall

Parking & Navigation

Features

•Available in 400+ cities worldwide

•Lower fees than ParkMobile

•International coverage - US, Canada, UK, EU

•Remote parking extensions

More Features

•Multiple payment methods

•No subscription required

•Simple, focused interface

•Digital receipt tracking

Pros

+Lower convenience fees than ParkMobile
+Best for international travelers
+Strong West Coast US presence
+No monthly subscription needed
+Established city partnerships

Cons

−Limited US coverage vs ParkMobile
−Payment processing delays
−Technical reliability issues

Pricing

freemium

PayByPhone charges convenience fees ranging from $0.25-$0.45 per transaction in most markets - typically 10-20% less than ParkMobile. A $0.35 fee on a $4 parking session is an 8.75% markup. The app accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Unlike ParkMobile's Pass subscription, PayByPhone offers no fee-waiving option - you always pay per transaction. For international travelers, PayByPhone is particularly valuable since it works across multiple countries with the same account. European rates vary by city but generally include VAT. US pricing is more straightforward. The lack of subscription means casual users can use it without monthly commitments, but frequent parkers would save money with ParkMobile Pass if both apps are available.

VS Competitors

ParkMobile

Passport Parking

City-specific apps

+ Advantages

+Lower convenience fees than ParkMobile ($0.25-$0.45 vs $0.35-$0.50)

+Strong international coverage - works in US, Canada, UK, EU

+Oldest mobile parking provider with established city relationships

+Particularly dominant in European markets

+Simple, focused interface without feature bloat

+Works well in West Coast cities like SF and Seattle

+No subscription required - pay-per-use model

+Good for international travelers who park in multiple countries

− Weaknesses

−Limited US coverage - only 400 cities vs ParkMobile's 3,500+

−Persistent payment processing delays and errors

−Session management bugs cause failed extensions

−Customer service slower than Passport, faster than ParkMobile

−App feels dated despite being oldest in market

−Missing in many major US markets and airports

−No fee-waiving subscription option

−Volkswagen acquisition hasn't improved technical issues

Verdict

PayByPhone is the smart choice for international travelers and West Coast residents where it dominates. The lower fees compared to ParkMobile add up for frequent parkers, and the multi-country account is invaluable for anyone parking in Europe and North America. However, the technical reliability issues are frustrating - payment delays and failed extensions undermine the convenience the app promises. If you live in San Francisco, Seattle, or another PayByPhone stronghold, it's worth using despite the bugs. For US-only users who park across many cities, ParkMobile's superior coverage makes it more practical. The winning strategy: Use PayByPhone where it offers lower fees than ParkMobile, but maintain ParkMobile as backup for broader US coverage. For European travel, PayByPhone is essential.

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