We’ve Checked Out Tons of Free CarPlay Apps, Here Are the Best

CarPlay has gone from being a “nice to have” feature for consumers, to something they actively seek out when looking for new cars. And that makes sense: If you have a big infotainment screen in your car, why bother mounting your phone like the old days? CarPlay (and Android Auto) basically projects functionality from your phone, which is like adding a second monitor to a PC or laptop. CarPlay apps are designed to be easier to use from your driver’s seat, with larger areas and clearer menus than the iOS apps they’re based on. (Although you should still avoid making contact with them while driving.)

It’s worth noting that CarPlay looks and feels different across different cars and manufacturers. Older cars usually require a wired connection, while newer models can connect wirelessly. (There are a variety of accessories that can let you bring wireless functionality to wired CarPlay models, such as CarlinKit.) Some automakers limit CarPlay apps to small windows within their infotainment system, while others allow it to control all screens. And if you’re the lucky owner of something that’s compatible with CarPlay Ultra, which currently only covers new Aston Martins, you’ll get a premium CarPlay view across your driver and infotainment displays.

After using CarPlay for over five years and testing dozens of apps for this story, I’ve narrowed down the list of CarPlay apps you really need to use.

Google Maps was one of the most useful CarPlay apps when it first arrived, and it’s still one of the best navigation options. The Google Maps CarPlay app allows you to easily set destinations using voice commands, report and respond to traffic incidents (such as police presence and debris), and see traffic flow for your route. The bad? It’s very annoying to preview what’s coming your way, compared to just swiping on the phone, and the app sometimes loses track of your location.

Despite its awkward launch, Apple Maps has turned itself into a real Google Maps competitor over the years. With CarPlay, Apple Maps can also do a few things better, such as giving you more conversational directions (ie, “Turn right at the next light”), compared to the strict tone of Google Maps. If you’re wearing an Apple Watch, the Apple Maps app will also guide you well when it’s time to prepare for a turn or highway exit. Some cars can also display Apple’s navigation information on the driver’s display, which is very unusual for Google Maps.

If you’re a heavy Spotify user, you’ll want to use its CarPlay app. It allows you to easily jump into the music and podcasts you’ve been listening to, find playlists and get new recommendations. In many ways, its limited functionality is a cool way to use the music service, compared to its chaotic desktop version. You can also integrate Spotify directly into Google Maps, though you’ll sacrifice screen space for navigation to do so.

Even if you don’t subscribe to Apple Music, you’ll still have to rely on its app for songs you download directly to your phone. The Apple Music CarPlay app makes it easy to find everything in your library, and in my testing it also worked more reliably with Siri voice commands compared to Spotify. And of course, it also gives you instant access to selected Apple Radio stations, as well as playlists built just for you.

Most of the major podcast apps support CarPlay yet, but I really like Pocket Cast’s collection of filters and easy access to the show. Pocket Cast also has various features to help you listen to podcasts properly, with the ability to adjust the silence and increase your playback speed. If you’re listening to shows on several different devices, Pocket Casts will quickly sync your progress. So you can start listening to the episode of This is American Life on your computer and complete it on your commute.

If you love audiobooks, there’s a good chance you’ve amassed a large Audio library. The intuitive CarPlay app lets you quickly jump to your latest title and browse through all of your audiobooks. You won’t be able to buy new books though – instead, you’ll have to take out your iPhone and launch Safari to do so. (You can thank Amazon’s disdain for paying Apple commissions for this consumer unfriendliness.)

If you’re addicted to live radio, TuneIn remains one of the best ways to listen to news, sports and music channels from around the world. The CarPlay app gives you instant access to TuneIn’s huge library, and you can listen to most of it for free. (You can pay a bit more to remove more ads.) Although live Internet radio has been replaced by streaming music and podcasts (also supported by TuneIn), you still can’t beat the wonder of instantly playing a broadcast from the other side of the planet.

America’s EV infrastructure stinks, so it’s worth using the PlugShare app to track down all the EV chargers near you. The CarPlay app does just that, along with the ability to navigate to bookmarked locations and view planned trips. Its CarPlay view also prioritizes the best places near you, so you don’t have to filter through low-rated charging stations. PlugShare relies on information from multiple sources, and in my experience it does a decent job of letting you know when certain chargers aren’t working. (You’ll need to use your iPhone if you want to report a broken charger, or leave a comment about the location.)

SpotHero is one of the best ways to find nearby parking, and its CarPlay app makes the service even more useful. In addition to just finding a parking space, you can use it to rebook places you’ve already visited, as well as display parking passes. With support for more than 400 cities across the US and Canada, SpotHero should make it easy to find parking during your next road trip (as long as you don’t book it).