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AccuWeather vs Windy

AccuWeather logo

AccuWeather

Software

Superior accuracy with proprietary RealFeel technology

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windy logo

Windy

Software

Advanced weather visualization and forecasting platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AccuWeather free API tier limited to 500 calls/day (14-day trial), forcing quick upgrade to paid plans; Windy windy Premium is required for the 1-hour and 15-day forecast outlook, 4-6x daily model updates, 24-hour radar/satellite loops with 1-year archives, and tide forecast maps, per the App Store listing; the free tier lacks these
  • They diverge on capability: AccuWeather covers RealFeel temperature, Windy covers Weather visualization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AccuWeather and Windy actually diverge.

Attributes where AccuWeather and Windy differ
AttributeAccuWeatherWindy
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19622014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AccuWeather

  • RealFeel temperature
  • MinuteCast
  • 45-day forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • Smart TV apps
  • Automotive
  • Smart speakers

Only in Windy

  • Weather visualization
  • Wind forecasts
  • Precipitation maps
  • Interactive charts
  • Real-time data
  • Global weather models
  • Satellite data
  • Weather APIs

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AccuWeather

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (MinuteCast)not Windy
  • Getting severe weather alerts and notificationsnot Windy
  • Viewing extended daily/hourly forecasts for trip planningnot Windy
  • Building weather-driven features into third-party apps via the Core Weather APInot Windy
  • Ad-free or premium in-app weather viewing via AccuWeather Premium/Premium+ subscriptionsnot Windy

Windy

  • Weather analysisnot AccuWeather
  • Flight planningnot AccuWeather
  • Wind pattern analysisnot AccuWeather
  • Meteorological researchnot AccuWeather

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AccuWeather

  • Free API tier limited to 500 calls/day (14-day trial), forcing quick upgrade to paid plans
  • Entry paid API tier (Starter, $2/month) capped at 15,000 monthly calls with only Current Conditions and 5-day Forecast
  • Higher-tier forecast features (72-hour/10-day/120-hour/15-day forecasts, Alerts, Imagery) gated behind Prime ($250/mo) and Elite ($500/mo) API plans
  • Consumer app requires iOS 17 / iPadOS 17 / macOS 14 or later, excluding older Apple devices

Windy

  • Windy Premium is required for the 1-hour and 15-day forecast outlook, 4-6x daily model updates, 24-hour radar/satellite loops with 1-year archives, and tide forecast maps, per the App Store listing; the free tier lacks these

Pricing, plan by plan

AccuWeather

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 daily API calls (14-day trial)
  • AccuWeather Premium$1.99/month
  • AccuWeather Premium+$4.99/month

Windy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Weather maps
    • Wind forecasts
    • Precipitation data
  • Premium$5.99/month
    • Advanced models
    • Historical data
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose AccuWeather if

  • You need realfeel temperature.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want minutecast.
AccuWeather review

Choose Windy if

  • You need weather visualization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want wind forecasts.
Windy review

Questions people ask

Is AccuWeather or Windy better?
Neither clearly leads. AccuWeather starts at Free and Windy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AccuWeather or Windy?
AccuWeather starts at Free and Windy at Free.
Does AccuWeather or Windy run on more platforms?
AccuWeather runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS. Windy runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use AccuWeather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AccuWeather best used for?
AccuWeather is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (minutecast), getting severe weather alerts and notifications, viewing extended daily/hourly forecasts for trip planning, building weather-driven features into third-party apps via the core weather api. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (minutecast) and getting severe weather alerts and notifications are not what Windy is typically brought in for.
What can AccuWeather do that Windy cannot?
AccuWeather covers RealFeel temperature, MinuteCast, 45-day forecasts, Severe weather alerts. Windy covers Weather visualization, Wind forecasts, Precipitation maps, Interactive charts. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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