Weather & Environment · head to head
AirVisual vs EPA AirNow
AirVisual
Weather & Environment
World's largest air quality information platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
EPA AirNow
Weather & Environment
Official U.S. government air quality information
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: AirVisual outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage; EPA AirNow air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
- They diverge on capability: AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AirVisual and EPA AirNow actually diverge.
| Attribute | AirVisual | EPA AirNow |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Founded | 2015 | 1970 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Ios, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather & Environment).
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 AirVisual
- Global AQI coverage
- 3-day forecasts
- City rankings
- Historical data
- Apple Watch
- Smart displays
- Ios support
- Android support
Only in EPA AirNow
- Official AQI data
- Air quality forecasts
- Fire & smoke data
- API access
- Data feeds
- API
- Api support
Both cover
- Health recommendations
- Widgets
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
AirVisual
- Checking local air quality and PM2.5 levelsnot EPA AirNow
- Seven day air quality forecastsnot EPA AirNow
- Health guidance based on current pollutionnot EPA AirNow
- Comparing indoor and outdoor air with an IQAir monitornot EPA AirNow
EPA AirNow
- Checking current Air Quality Index (AQI) for a location or any searched areanot AirVisual
- Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot AirVisual
- Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not AirVisual
- Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot AirVisual
- Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot AirVisual
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
AirVisual
- Outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage
- Indoor measurement needs an IQAir AirVisual monitor bought separately
- The app pages do not state what, if anything, costs money
EPA AirNow
- Air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
- Interactive monitor map (PM2.5, PM10, ozone) coverage documented on the primary source is U.S.-focused
- As a government-run service it offers no paid tiers, proprietary data sources, or customization options found in commercial weather/air-quality apps
Pricing, plan by plan
AirVisual
Free- FreeFree
- Global AQI data
- Forecasts
- Health tips
- Pro$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Historical data
- Widgets
EPA AirNow
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.
Which should you pick?
Choose AirVisual if
- You need global aqi coverage.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want 3-day forecasts.
Choose EPA AirNow if
- You need official aqi data.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want air quality forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is AirVisual or EPA AirNow better?
- Neither clearly leads. AirVisual starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AirVisual or EPA AirNow?
- AirVisual starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free.
- Does AirVisual or EPA AirNow run on more platforms?
- AirVisual runs on Ios, Android, Web. EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use AirVisual for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is AirVisual best used for?
- AirVisual is most often used for checking local air quality and pm2.5 levels, seven day air quality forecasts, health guidance based on current pollution, comparing indoor and outdoor air with an iqair monitor. Of those, checking local air quality and pm2.5 levels and seven day air quality forecasts are not what EPA AirNow is typically brought in for.
- What can AirVisual do that EPA AirNow cannot?
- AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, 3-day forecasts, City rankings, Historical data. EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, API access. Both handle Health recommendations, Widgets, Web support.