Frequently Asked Questions.
Everything you need to know about Spotto, NYC parking handoffs, and our curb intelligence platform.
Is Spotto really free?▾
FREE APP
Yes. Spotto's core app is free and free forever: peer-to-peer spot holds, Alternate Side Parking schedules and suspension alerts, 15ft hydrant radar, meter hours, and bus-lane alerts across all five boroughs. An optional Driver Pro plan ($9.99/month) adds a 5-minute head start on new spots, full ticket details, and Ticket Shield warnings.
What is the best free parking app for NYC?▾
FREE APP
Spotto is the free parking app built only for New York City. Instead of just showing rules, it connects drivers leaving curb spots with drivers looking for one — then watches the curb after you park with sweeper countdowns, hydrant-distance warnings, and meter reminders. Free on iPhone; Android is in open beta on Google Play.
How do I find free street parking in NYC?▾
FREE APP
Free street parking in NYC is about timing: outside Alternate Side windows and meter hours, residential blocks open up. Spotto shows the posted ASP schedule, suspension days, and meter hours for the exact block you're on — so you can see when the curb goes free — plus live spot holds shared by departing drivers nearby.
Which NYC boroughs does Spotto cover?▾
FREE APP
All five: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Curb intelligence — ASP schedules, hydrant locations, bus lanes, and meter hours — is decoded street by street from official city records.
How do peer spot holds work?▾
DRIVERS & HOLDS
When a departing driver is getting ready to leave their curb, they tap 'Leaving Spot' in the app and set a hold duration (up to 15 minutes free, up to 30 minutes with Driver Pro). A nearby searching driver claims the space, which opens a coordination window for their arrival. The departing driver can see your ETA and vehicle make/color so they know when to pull out.
What happens if someone else takes the spot before I arrive?▾
DRIVERS & HOLDS
Public NYC curbs cannot be physically blocked. If an outside vehicle pulls in before you arrive, you are not charged, your karma is preserved, and you can claim the next available departure.
Is Spotto legal in New York City?▾
MUNICIPAL & LEGAL
Yes. Spotto does not sell, privatize, or claim ownership of municipal street parking. Spotto is a peer-to-peer communication and timing platform that helps neighbors coordinate departures and provides timely warnings for municipal Alternate Side Parking (ASP) and 15ft fire hydrant rules.
How does the 15ft Fire Hydrant Radar work?▾
MUNICIPAL & LEGAL
Spotto knows hydrant locations across all 5 boroughs. When you park, you'll see your estimated distance from the nearest hydrant and get a warning near the 15-foot no-parking zone ($115 fine) — always confirm with posted signs and your own judgment.
What is the difference between Driver Pro and Spotto Coins?▾
PRICING & COINS
Driver Pro ($9.99/mo) adds longer holds, handoff coordination with live ETA, and automated Ticket Shield™ timers. Hydrant proximity warnings are free for everyone. Street handoffs are free for everyone. Spotto Coins are consumable in-app credit packs for occasional drivers who prefer unlocking Ticket Shield™ for 14 days at a time (100 coins) or full Driver Pro for 7 days (50 coins) instead of subscribing — coin packs are available in the app.
How do commercial parking garages list or claim their facility?▾
COMMERCIAL GARAGES
Businesses can register a facility listing from $89.99 per location per month on website checkout (annual plans bring the rate down; in-app purchase pricing differs) and manage their listing after our team reviews and approves it.
Can I log in with the same account on iOS and Android?▾
MOBILE APP & SUPPORT
Yes. Your user account and vehicle profile created on this website sync directly to the Spotto NYC mobile app on iOS and Android (beta).
How do I download Spotto?▾
GETTING STARTED
iPhone: download Spotto free on the Apple App Store. Android: join the open beta on Google Play. It's free to download — sign up in the app and you're on the street.
Is the ticket check really free?▾
TICKETS
Checking how many outstanding tickets are on your plate is free — no Pro, no VIN needed. We show the count only. Full details (amounts, per-ticket breakdown, and paid history) need your VIN on file plus Pro or a 50-coin 7-day pass.
How does Ticket Shield™ warn me?▾
TICKETS
Two warnings — 30 minutes and 15 minutes before your meter expires or the sweeper starts on your block — meter sessions get meter-specific copy. When time runs out the shield ends quietly.
How does the Pro 5-minute head start work?▾
PRO & COINS
When a new spot is shared, Pro members see it and can claim it a full 5 minutes before free users. After that it's open to everyone. It's fair for everyone, so no refreshing tricks the line.
What are neighborhood communities?▾
COMMUNITY
Spotto groups drivers into small communities around where they actually park — about half a mile across. Join up to 3, trade street-savvy tips, post and pin local parking events, and report bad actors. Reports go to the Spotto team for review.
Why do you need my VIN to check tickets?▾
VEHICLES
You don't need a VIN to add a vehicle — a plate, make, or model is enough to save it. A VIN is only required before a full ticket-detail lookup, so ticket data is tied to a verified vehicle. You can keep up to 5 vehicles per account.