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Weather · head to head

AirVisual vs Plume Labs

AirVisual logo

AirVisual

Weather

World's largest air quality information platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Plume Labs logo

Plume Labs

Weather

Personal air quality tracking and forecasting

From
$179/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AirVisual has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AirVisual outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage; Plume Labs plume Labs states on its own site that the Flow and Flow 2 hardware are no longer available for purchase, while the Plume Labs App and the Plume API continue to operate
  • They diverge on capability: AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, Plume Labs covers Personal air sensor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AirVisual and Plume Labs actually diverge.

Attributes where AirVisual and Plume Labs differ
AttributeAirVisualPlume Labs
Starting priceFree$179/one-time
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, Android, WebIos, Android, Hardware
Founded20152014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather).

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
  • Health recommendations
  • City rankings
  • Historical data
  • Widgets
  • Apple Watch
  • Smart displays

Only in Plume Labs

  • Personal air sensor
  • Real-time tracking
  • Exposure insights
  • Route suggestions
  • Health tips
  • Mobile app
  • Fitness trackers
  • Smart home

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android 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 Plume Labs
  • Seven day air quality forecastsnot Plume Labs
  • Health guidance based on current pollutionnot Plume Labs
  • Comparing indoor and outdoor air with an IQAir monitornot Plume Labs

Plume Labs

  • Professional Worknot AirVisual
  • Content Creationnot 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

Plume Labs

  • Plume Labs states on its own site that the Flow and Flow 2 hardware are no longer available for purchase, while the Plume Labs App and the Plume API continue to operate

Pricing, plan by plan

AirVisual

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Global AQI data
    • Forecasts
    • Health tips
  • Pro$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Historical data
    • Widgets

Plume Labs

$179/one-time
  • Flow 2$179/one-time
    • Personal sensor
    • Real-time tracking
    • App access

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.
AirVisual review

Choose Plume Labs if

  • You need personal air sensor.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want real-time tracking.
Plume Labs review

Questions people ask

Is AirVisual or Plume Labs better?
Neither clearly leads. AirVisual starts at Free and Plume Labs at $179/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AirVisual or Plume Labs?
AirVisual has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AirVisual and $179/one-time for Plume Labs.
Does AirVisual or Plume Labs run on more platforms?
AirVisual runs on Ios, Android, Web. Plume Labs runs on Ios, Android, Hardware.
Can I use AirVisual for free?
Yes. AirVisual has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Plume Labs starts at $179/one-time.
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 Plume Labs is typically brought in for.
What can AirVisual do that Plume Labs cannot?
AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, 3-day forecasts, Health recommendations, City rankings. Plume Labs covers Personal air sensor, Real-time tracking, Exposure insights, Route suggestions. Both handle Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AirVisual: Why doesn't AirVisual publish pricing for its air quality products?

AirVisual does not publish specific prices on its product pages. The company offers various purchasing and financing programs instead, including 0% financing options, filter subscriptions, and trade-in programs.

Source
Plume Labs: Is the Flow 2 air quality sensor still available for purchase?

No. Plume Labs discontinued the Flow 2 hardware in Spring 2023. It is no longer for sale.

Source
AirVisual: Does AirVisual offer financing for equipment purchases?

Yes, AirVisual offers 0% financing options for equipment purchases.

Source
Plume Labs: What air quality products does Plume Labs currently offer?

Plume Labs now offers the Plume Labs App for air quality forecasts and the Plume API for business data solutions. Specific pricing for these services is not disclosed on the website.

Source
AirVisual: Are AirVisual products eligible for HSA or FSA spending accounts?

Yes, AirVisual products are eligible for FSA and HSA payments, allowing customers to use tax-advantaged health savings accounts for purchases.

Source
AirVisual: What ongoing service does AirVisual offer beyond the initial product purchase?

AirVisual offers filter subscription services to ensure continued operation of air quality monitoring equipment.

Source
AirVisual: Does AirVisual offer trade-in or upgrade programs?

Yes, AirVisual operates a trade-in program that allows customers to trade in older equipment, as well as a Restored Program for refurbished products.

Source
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