Accessing CarPlay in your vehicle can be very beneficial, especially if you know all the best tips and tricks for using it, but knowing which apps will improve your experience isn’t always easy. Considering the size of the Apple App Store, there’s probably at least a few CarPlay apps you’ve probably never heard of, and we’re going to take a look at some of the more popular options that are free to use.
The following apps will help you navigate the road, send hands-free text messages, enjoy a great audiobook or podcast, and provide highly accurate weather forecasts. Each of these is sure to enhance your CarPlay experience and has received highly positive user reviews on the Apple App Store.
While every app on this list is free to download, some offer advanced features that may cost you some money. We’ll be sure to mention which ones where applicable. As you download these apps on your iPhone and try them out for yourself, it might be helpful to remember that you can personalize your CarPlay dashboard to make the apps more accessible and tailor the overall experience to your needs. Let’s take a look at some of the important CarPlay apps that are loved by users.
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1. Waze navigation and real-time traffic conditions
The Waze navigation and real-time traffic app is listed on the Apple App Store. – Mino Sukara/Shutterstock
Even though Apple Maps is pretty useful, having options is never a bad thing. One of the benefits of using Apple CarPlay is the ability to access maps and navigation at any time, which allows you to take full advantage of the infotainment system’s display. What really sets Waze Inc.’s Waze Navigation and Live Traffic apart is its strong focus on the driving community.
When you use Waze with Apple CarPlay, you can access simple controls right from your vehicle’s dashboard while on the road. The interface uses voice control so you can talk to Waze to search for your next destination, and includes a dedicated button for reporting accidents, traffic, hazards and police. As you drive, Waze will display potential hazards on your route directly on CarPlay, giving you a wealth of information to make your commute easier.
In addition to earning the Editors’ Choice award, Waze also received a 4.8-star rating from over 3.1 million ratings. Users appreciate Waze’s accurate navigation capabilities, real-time updates, and routing options. When it comes to alternatives to Apple Maps, you may be wondering whether Google Maps or Waze is right for you. However, since both are free, there’s no reason not to try Waze and see how it works for your navigation needs. You need to be running iOS 16 or higher to use Waze on iPhone.
2. cloudy day
App listing for the Overcast app on the App Store. – sdx15/Shutterstock
A good podcast and the open road go together like peanut butter and bananas. Whether you have a long commute to work or have a road trip planned, access to your podcast library will help you pass the time and miles. If you want to listen to some music on a long drive, Overcast by Overcast Radio, LLC is worth installing on your iPhone if you’re using iOS 18 or later. We think it’s suitable for those looking to replace Google Podcasts in 2024, and we still think it’s worth downloading for those looking for a solid podcast experience on CarPlay.
One of the highlights of Overcast for CarPlay is that you can download podcasts to your iPhone for offline use in the vehicle, and the app itself offers a clean interface with large buttons so you can quickly access the content you need. You can check out the latest media or browse playlists for a seamless experience on the go. What’s really great about the app is that it doesn’t have any third-party analytics, tracking code, or ad serving, which means your streams stay private.
The app currently has a 4.5-star rating on the Apple App Store with over 45,000 ratings. It even won an Apple Editors’ Choice award for its no-frills approach to podcast streaming. Additionally, users appreciate the app’s clean interface, additional features, and frequent updates. While the app itself is free, please note that it is ad-supported. However, anyone who wants an ad-free experience can opt for the $14.99 per year subscription option.
3.Libby, library application
Libby app icon on iPhone home screen. – Tada Photo/Shutterstock
If Overcast is for anyone obsessed with podcasts, OverDrive, Inc.’s Libby is for anyone obsessed with e-books, audiobooks, and their local library. Good stories are another great way to pass the time while driving, and Libby’s CarPlay support for audiobooks will make the app a great option for anyone who wants to listen to a story while cruising, as long as your iPhone is running iOS 10 or later. While it’s free to use, you’ll need to get a library card from your local library, as Libby lets you borrow any e-book or audiobook instantly.
Using Libby with CarPlay is easy. You just open the app on the infotainment screen and select one of the audiobooks you’ve borrowed from the library. The app provides a simple UI that makes it easy to change the playback speed (1x or 2x), move back and forth within the track in 15-second increments, or play and pause listening.
As of this writing, Libby has a 4.9-star rating on the Apple App Store with over 4 million ratings. Users love the app for its incredible simplicity, the ability to add multiple library cards, and easy access to local library books. For those who spend a lot of money on audiobooks, Libby is actually one of the must-have iPhone apps you should use for your next CarPlay experience.
4. Synoptics: Weather together
Weatherology app features. – Weather Science/Apple App Store
Weather apps are relatively easy to find; in fact, Apple already has a built-in weather app. However, a weather app that provides real-time audio reporting, supports CarPlay, and focuses on hands-free safe driving is not easy to find. Luckily, anyone using iOS 15 or later can take advantage of Weatherology: Weather Together, developed by Weatherology Mobile LLC—an app powered by real meteorologists.
Using Weatherology via CarPlay is easy. Once you’ve established a regular connection to your iPhone, you can open the app via CarPlay and use Siri or voice commands to check conditions in your area. Synoptics will provide current weather conditions and potential changes, as well as hourly or 7-day weather forecasts. It also provides background sounds to help you relax if you’re stressed out by rush hour traffic. In bad conditions, the app can also notify you of any severe weather warnings via CarPlay, and of course, you can still listen to music or other audio even as Weatherology provides you with reports.
With frequent updates and additional support for iPad and Apple Watch, Weatherology currently has a 4.7-star rating on the Apple App Store and has over 4,300 ratings. Users on the Apple App Store appreciate Weatherology’s ad-free, simple design. The developers are even great at replying to comments, which is always helpful to know someone is actually listening. If you need to check the weather during a long drive, this is the app for you.
5. WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp Messenger app is listed on Apple App Store. – Tada Photo/Shutterstock
Just like Waze can be a good alternative to Apple Maps for CarPlay users, WhatsApp Inc.’s WhatsApp Messenger can be a good alternative to the iPhone messaging app. What makes it so effective is Siri voice commands, allowing you to message or make calls safely without taking your eyes off the road. Since the app offers free voice and video calls, it’s perfect for frequent travelers or those who need to communicate internationally. But please note that video calls are automatically converted to audio calls when using CarPlay. However, there’s a reason the app has over 3.3 billion monthly users as of November 2025.
One cool feature with WhatsApp on CarPlay is built-in responses when you get a call, so you can easily choose from a range of options to let the caller know you’re driving. The app has a fairly simple interface, making it easy to manage everything on the go, while large clickable buttons combined with seamless voice control mean everything is easy to use.
WhatsApp currently has 4.7 stars on the Apple App Store with over 17 million ratings. This app will be great for your next long drive or road trip, and considering WhatsApp plans to attract iMessage users to the platform, it’s definitely worth checking out if you plan on spending a lot of time using Apple CarPlay.
How we choose these apps
A man holds an iPhone in his hand. – Thapana_Studio/Shutterstock
Even though all the apps here are free, the apps you install on your iPhone still matter. Each app on this list was chosen based on personal experience, recommendations from the r/CarPlay community on Reddit, and viewing reviews in the Apple App Store. We don’t want you to download apps that have no purpose or are full of irritating ads and nonsense, that’s why every app on this list is either free or we made sure to notify you when it offers premium options. Additionally, every app has a 4.0-star or higher rating on the Apple App Store, with thousands or even hundreds of thousands of ratings, because your CarPlay experience is important to us.
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