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Aeris Weather vs Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Aeris Weather logo

Aeris Weather

Weather

Powerful weather API with mapping solutions

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aeris Weather aerisWeather now sells as Xweather under Vaisala; Apple Weather (Dark Sky) dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
  • They diverge on capability: Aeris Weather covers Weather API, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aeris Weather and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) actually diverge.

Attributes where Aeris Weather and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) differ
AttributeAeris WeatherApple Weather (Dark Sky)
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsApi, Web, MobileiOS, macOS

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather), founded (2011).

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 Aeris Weather

  • Weather API
  • Interactive maps
  • Tropical data
  • Historical records
  • REST API
  • Mapping SDKs
  • Mobile SDKs
  • Api support

Only in Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Minute-by-minute precipitation
  • Next-hour forecasts
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch
  • CarPlay

Both cover

  • Severe weather alerts

What people use each for

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

Aeris Weather

  • Weather data and forecastingnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Mission-critical weather-dependent decisionsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • High-reliability weather intelligence servicesnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Multi-industry weather data distributionnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot Aeris Weather
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Aeris Weather
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Aeris Weather
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Aeris Weather

Where each one falls short

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

Aeris Weather

  • AerisWeather now sells as Xweather under Vaisala
  • The free Developer tier is capped at 15,000 API accesses per month and the service pauses once the limit is reached
  • The Developer tier gets community support only
  • The self-serve paid subscription is EUR 300 per month for 1,000,000 accesses per month
  • Anything beyond 1,000,000 accesses per month requires contacting sales for a custom arrangement
  • Dedicated support and custom SLA guarantees are enterprise only
  • Free tier usage resets on the account creation date rather than the calendar month

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
  • Apple Weather has no public pricing/API tier of its own comparable to the old Dark Sky API, developers must use Apple's separate WeatherKit product instead
  • Apple Weather (the consumer app) is limited to Apple's own platforms; it is not available on Android or Windows

Pricing, plan by plan

Aeris Weather

Free
  • DeveloperFree
    • 1,000 calls/day
    • Basic data
    • Maps
  • Professional$100/month
    • Unlimited calls
    • All data
    • Premium support

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather features
    • Minute-by-minute rain
    • Severe alerts

Which should you pick?

Choose Aeris Weather if

  • You need weather api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want interactive maps.
Aeris Weather review

Choose Apple Weather (Dark Sky) if

  • You need minute-by-minute precipitation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS.
  • You also want next-hour forecasts.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Questions people ask

Is Aeris Weather or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) better?
Neither clearly leads. Aeris Weather starts at Free and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aeris Weather or Apple Weather (Dark Sky)?
Aeris Weather starts at Free and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free.
Does Aeris Weather or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) run on more platforms?
Aeris Weather runs on Api, Web, Mobile. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS.
Can I use Aeris Weather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Aeris Weather best used for?
Aeris Weather is most often used for weather data and forecasting, mission-critical weather-dependent decisions, high-reliability weather intelligence services, multi-industry weather data distribution. Of those, weather data and forecasting and mission-critical weather-dependent decisions are not what Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is typically brought in for.
What can Aeris Weather do that Apple Weather (Dark Sky) cannot?
Aeris Weather covers Weather API, Interactive maps, Tropical data, Historical records. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Air quality, UV index. Both handle Severe weather alerts.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Aeris Weather: How is Xweather pricing structured?

Xweather offers custom pricing for its software products and weather API. Pricing reflects deployment scale, data complexity, reliability requirements, and service scope. Contact Xweather for a personalized quote tailored to your needs.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): Is Dark Sky still available as a standalone service?

No. Dark Sky is no longer a standalone service. The Dark Sky API was discontinued on March 31, 2023, and replaced by Apple's WeatherKit API. Apple integrated Dark Sky's features into its native Weather app.

Source
Aeris Weather: Does Xweather offer a pay-as-you-go weather API?

Yes. Xweather provides a free weather API key with pay-as-you-go pricing available. Specific rates and API tier details are available at the Xweather API signup portal or by contacting the sales team.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What features from Dark Sky are now in Apple Weather?

Apple Weather includes hyperlocal forecasts down to 0.001° precision, next-hour precipitation forecasts with charts and maps, extended hourly forecasts for 10 days, high-resolution weather maps with precipitation and air quality overlays, and government-issued severe weather alerts.

Source
Aeris Weather: What products does Xweather offer pricing for?

Xweather's software products include Protect, Optimize, Observe, Horizon, RoadAI, WeatherDesk, and Powerup. Individual pricing for each product is determined by your deployment requirements and service agreements. Contact Xweather to discuss subscriptions, tiers, SLAs, and specific pricing.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What API replaced Dark Sky's API?

Developers who used Dark Sky API can now use Apple's WeatherKit API, which works across multiple platforms and replaces the deprecated Dark Sky API.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What versions of Apple OS support the new Weather features?

Apple Weather with the new features is accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura or newer, available through the App Store.

Source
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