Compare PlugShare, ChargePoint, Tesla, ABRP, and More to Find the Best EV Charging App for Your Driving Style
Electric vehicle adoption is on the rise, with more and more people going all-electric. Honestly, it’s fantastic to be transitioning toward a cleaner future. However, going electric comes with its own perks and downsides for the user.
If we look back to the start, there was range anxiety; then, finding reliable chargers was the battle. Now, we are facing “app anxiety” (as we call it).
Every EV owner can relate to the multi-app lifestyle, and the idea of one app to rule them all feels like a fantasy. You simply cannot rely on a single app anymore.
This article breaks down the best EV charging app options available in the US today—apps that actually help you find working chargers, avoid bad stations, and charge with less friction.
We’re not here to list every app in the App Store. We’re here to help you figure out which apps are genuinely worth keeping on your phone.
So, let’s get into it…
1. What Do Charging Apps Help With?
These apps act as a safety net and make your road trip far more relaxed rather than stressed, they help in number of ways:
Locating charging stations: These apps show you where the plugs are. It goes deeper than just a pin on a map. You need to know if a station is actually working before you pull up with 3% battery left.
Access and payment: Most chargers do not have working credit card readers. You need the app to start the session. Having the right app means you are not standing in the rain trying to download 100MB of data on a weak signal.
Reliability and community feedback: EV drivers will tell you if a handle is broken or if a station is hidden behind the locked gate. This crowd-sourced data is well worth the storage space on your phone.
Route planning: You need to know where to stop so you don’t end up stranded. A good app calculates elevation, speed, and weather for a realistic range estimate. Monitoring your progress from a nearby shop is a massive perk.
2. Which Apps Do You Need?
We have categorized them into three primary categories. You have the:
Aggregator apps: These are the locators. They show you every available plug, regardless of who owns the equipment.
Network-specific apps: These are the operators. You use these to actually start the session and pay for the electricity.
Trip planning apps: They handle the complex range calculations required for long hauls.
Juggling these might seem like a chore for a while, but you will quickly find your favorites.
3. Best EV Charging Apps in The US
There are dozens of apps out there, but most are barely functional garbage. We have tested pretty much every charging app over the last few years, and honestly, only a few are well worth it.
Following are the specific ones that actually make the cut:
3.1 Aggregator Apps (The Locators)
PlugShare
PlugShare is arguably the most important app you can download. It is the Wikipedia of EV charging. It shows almost every plug in the country, including residential ones that people offer up for public use.
The “Check-In” feature is the heart of the app. Users post photos and comments about their experience at specific stalls. If five people in a row say a station is down, you probably want to go elsewhere. Hence, it saves you from a lot of wasted trips.
That said, the interface can feel a bit crowded. There are so many filters and icons that it might feel overwhelming for a while. We would suggest filtering by your specific plug type immediately. It clears up the noise and shows you only what your car can actually use.
Google Maps
So, most people already have Google Maps, which makes it an easy starting point. It has been getting better at showing EV chargers lately. You can search for “EV charging stations” and it will give you a list of nearby options.
It is particularly good for finding chargers near amenities. If you want a charger that is near a sandwich shop or a park, Google Maps is the winner. But it often lacks the deep technical data that a dedicated EV app provides. It might not tell you the exact charging speed or if the station is currently occupied.
Honestly, use Google Maps for the final mile or for finding a bathroom. Use something else for the heavy lifting of technical planning.
3.2 Network-Specific Apps (The Operators)
Tesla
Tesla has been the gold standard for a long time. Even if you do not drive a Tesla, this app is becoming more relevant as they open up the Supercharger network to other brands. The app is strikingly similar to the car’s interface: clean, fast, and reliable.
If you are driving a non-Tesla with an adapter, you will need this app to initiate the charge at “Magic Dock” locations. The payment process is seamless. You just plug in, hit a button in the app, and the power starts flowing. There is no juggling with weird RFID cards or buggy touchscreens.
ChargePoint
ChargePoint is everywhere. They have a massive footprint of Level 2 chargers in parking garages and at workplaces. Because of this, you almost certainly need their app if you plan to charge while you work or shop.
The app is quite good at showing real-time availability. You can see if a specific stall is being used before you enter a parking structure. On top of that, you can tap your phone against the charger to start the session. It is one of the few apps that feels like it was built by people who actually drive electric cars.
Electrify America
Electrify America is the main rival to Tesla’s network for fast charging. They have a lot of stations along major highways. Having said that, their reputation for reliability has been a bit spotty in the past.
You need the app to get the “Pass+” pricing. If you charge here often, the monthly fee is well worth it because it drops the per-kwh price significantly. The app allows you to see the maximum speed of each stall, which is helpful. You don’t want to plug your 350kW-capable car into a 50kW “slow” fast charger by mistake.
EVgo
EVgo is another major player, particularly in urban areas. They often partner with grocery stores like Whole Foods. If you find yourself charging while you buy milk, this is the app you want.
They have a feature called “Autocharge+” for many vehicles. You set it up once in the app, and then the charger recognizes your car automatically when you plug in. It mimics the Tesla experience, which is a huge win for convenience.
3.3 Route Planning
A Better Routeplanner (ABRP)
A Better Routeplanner, or ABRP, is the heavy hitter for road trips. Unlike a standard GPS, it asks for your specific car model, your current battery level, and even the outside temperature. It then maps out exactly where you need to stop and for how long.
Random thought, but I once ignored ABRP’s advice and tried to make it over a mountain pass in a headwind. I ended up limping into a station with 1% left. Never again. Anyway, back to the point. ABRP is for the data nerds who want to know exactly what to expect.
4. Which is the Best EV Charging App for Finding Stations?
The honest answer is that the best EV charging app depends on what you are trying to do in that moment. Are you planning a long road trip? Looking for a fast charger off the highway? Or just trying to find a working plug before your battery hits single digits?
That said, if we had to recommend one app that works for the widest range of situations, PlugShare is the best EV charging app for most drivers.
The reason is simple: data density. PlugShare combines network listings with real-world feedback from actual EV drivers. You are not just seeing where a charger should be—you are seeing whether it worked an hour ago, which stall is broken, and whether access is blocked.
In emergencies, PlugShare often shows options that other apps miss, including hotel chargers, dealership plugs, and municipal stations. For new EV owners especially, it sets the baseline for what a reliable charging app should do.
For trip planning and route optimization, ABRP pairs extremely well with PlugShare. But when it comes to pure discovery, PlugShare remains the best EV charging app to install first.
5. Pro-Tips for a Better Charging Experience
Having the right apps is only half the battle. To be fair, you also need to know how to use them to avoid a total headache. Here is how we see it:
Always have a backup plan: Chargers break. It is a sad reality of the current infrastructure. We’ve found that having a second station mapped out within five miles of your primary stop will save you a lot of grief. Or alternatively, keeping a portable level 2 charger in your car is highly recommended just in case for emergencies.
Check the comments: Don’t just look at the green icon. Read the last three check-ins. If someone says the screen is black but the app works, you know what to expect. If someone says the parking lot is under construction, you can pivot elsewhere.
Use the “filter by plug” feature: Neither a J1772 nor a CCS plug will help you if your car uses a different standard and you don’t have an adapter. It sounds obvious, but in the heat of a low-battery moment, people forget.
Be a good citizen: Check out when you are done. Use the apps to report broken equipment. It helps the whole community. If we all do our part, the “odds” of finding a working charger go up for everyone.
FAQs
What is the best EV charging network?
Tesla is arguably the best network in terms of uptime and ease of use. Their stations are usually located in well-lit areas with multiple stalls. However, Electrify America is catching up and offers faster speeds for some non-Tesla models. On the whole, the best network is the one that is closest to you when you are at 10%.
Is there an app for free EV charging?
Yes, PlugShare has a specific filter for free chargers. Many libraries, museums, and small towns offer free Level 2 charging to attract visitors. You won’t get a full charge in twenty minutes, but it is better than nothing if you are staying for a while.
Is there an app that shows all car charging stations?
PlugShare is the closest thing we have to a “master list” of every station. It aggregates data from almost every network in the country. Google Maps is a close second but lacks the deep technical details that EV owners need.
What apps do I need to charge my electric car?
At a minimum, you should have PlugShare for finding spots and ABRP for planning trips. Then, download the apps for the major networks in your area, like ChargePoint and Electrify America. It is better to have the accounts set up before you actually need them.
Which App is Best for Finding a Charging Station?
As we mentioned, PlugShare is the king of discovery. It has the most comprehensive database and the most active user community. If a charger exists, it is probably on PlugShare.