Best CarPlay Apps for 2025: Top Picks for Every Driver

On this blog, we’ll explore the best CarPlay apps of 2025, with a focus on apps that can enhance your driving experience. We’ll also answer common questions regarding Apple CarPlay apps. If you’re in the market for top-quality navigation applications or music streaming services, or tools for communication, we’ve got it covered. Let’s review the top apps that can improve the experience of driving this season.

What are the Best CarPlay Apps?

CarPlay comes equipped with pre-loaded applications from Apple, such as Maps, Phone Calls, and Messaging, Music, Podcasts, and Calendar.

This list features an expansive variety of third-party applications divided by use-based categories. There are the best CarPlay apps for navigation, music, entertainment, communications, and productivity.

10 Best CarPlay Apps to Make Driving Smarter

1. Waze

Waze stands out as the best CarPlay app due to its community-driven updates that provide instantaneous alerts about roadblocks, traffic jams, and road hazards, and nearby gas prices.

Although it isn’t a typical navigation tool, Carrot Weather deserves a mention in this article. It offers hyper-local, attitude-filled information on weather conditions, which is ideal for those who want to keep an eye on unpredictable weather conditions along their route.

Also read: Best Wireless Android Auto Adapters 2025

2. Spotify

Spotify is one of the best CarPlay apps as it offers users hands-free access to millions of songs, playlists, and podcasts when you’re driving. Its simple, clean interface is designed for CarPlay, so you can easily tap to listen to your music.

You can use Siri commands to skip tracks, play music, or even start playlists. What makes Spotify different is the personalized recommendations it offers. Take a look at Spotify’s “Made For You” mixes and driving playlists adjust to your personal preferences. It also works switching between mobile data, Wi-Fi, and offline mode, using downloaded content.

3. Libby

Libby is one of the best CarPlay apps for audiobook enthusiasts because it is connected to the library in your area that lets you borrow audiobooks and listen to them at no cost while driving. This app’s CarPlay interface is easy and free of distractions.

As opposed to other audiobook apps, Libby does not require a paid subscription if you’ve got a library card. The app also syncs across devices, which means you can access your book from home or in your car without losing your location.

4. Pocket Cast

If you’re a fan of podcasts, The Pocket Cast app is one you should install on the CarPlay display. You get powerful playback control options like trimming silence, speed control, and volume boost, which allow you to stay interested without lengthy intermissions. Siri integration allows you to say “Play whatever Podcast on Pocket Casts,” pausing or skipping ahead or back without hands.

Best CarPlay apps features, such as cross-device sync or the “Up Next” queue, mean that you can listen from your phone, car, and your desktop.

5. Zoom

Zoom with CarPlay was specifically created for audio-only meetings, making it the ideal solution for professionals who want to make calls safely while driving. Through its CarPlay user interface, you can view the upcoming meetings, join them with a single tap, and then mute or unmute using the large, easy buttons.

Siri will also help you get the app up and running or join calls scheduled for you. What makes Zoom different is that it lets you remain active while on the go without using your mobile.

6. PlugShare

PlugShare is one of the best CarPlay apps for electric vehicle drivers. It displays close charging points, nearby bookmarks, and planned routes right on the dashboard.

The interface is straightforward. You tap a station to see the plug type and speed, ratings, and a single-tap direction. It is possible to switch vehicle types to match the current EV. Additionally, any trips made via your smartphone or via the web are seamlessly synced with CarPlay, which means that your route plan is ready before you start driving.

7. Target

If you are using curbside pickup, such as Target’s CarPlay application makes the final steps smooth and easy for drivers. Although the app isn’t designed for shopping, it’s extremely useful for those who use Drive Up or Order Pickup. After you’ve placed an order on Target’s Target app, connecting to CarPlay displays your ready-for-pickup purchase immediately.

The store is easily located and get directions using Apple Maps, and notify the store that you’re in the process or are there. This can all be done from the car screen. Target was actually the first store to introduce curbside pickup to CarPlay.

8. Parkster

It’s a really useful app to use if you pay for parking on the street in cities that support it. After connecting (via USB or Bluetooth) then the CarPlay dashboard displays “Nearby,” “Favorites,” and “Tickets.” You can tap to start or browse the current parking sessions.

Starting Parking offers convenient self-service vehicle parking services at over 1,000 locations throughout Sweden, Germany, and Austria. Simply choose your car, set a timer for its stay, then end it.

Also read: 5 Best Apple AirTag Alternatives You Can Buy in 2025

9. MyRadar Weather Radar

MyRadar Weather Radar is the best CarPlay app as it offers real-time weather updates and dynamic radar maps that appear on your car’s monitor. This helps you quickly spot coming storms or rain, or snow as you drive.

Unlike regular weather apps, MyRadar is focused on images, displaying live radar and motion, which allows you to track the weather’s movements. It also provides extreme weather alerts and layers that include wind speed and temperature.

10. Home Assistant

CarPlay’s Home Assistant feature allows you to remotely manage smart devices such as garage doors, lighting, or locks from within your car via HomeKit integration. For instance, your garage door may appear as an action suggestion when near home.

This feature typically works through Siri Suggestions through Apple Home. Home Assistant lets you connect devices that do not directly support HomeKit through the HomeKit bridge.

It’s extremely flexible and efficient, but be aware that it needs some configuration. For the tech-savvy, it allows for full control of your home’s smart devices in your vehicle, far beyond what the basic HomeKit offers.

Summing Up

The best CarPlay apps can significantly enhance your driving experience by providing entertainment, improving safety, and comfort when you’re on the road. You can choose to get more efficient music streaming, better navigation, or even weather updates. There’s an app to meet all your needs.

FAQs: Best CarPlay Apps