Software · head to head
AirVisual vs Plume Labs
Plume Labs
Software
Personal air quality tracking and forecasting
- From
- $179/one-time
- Rated
- -
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.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AirVisual and Plume Labs actually diverge.
| Attribute | AirVisual | Plume Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $179/one-time |
| Pricing model | freemium | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Ios, Android, Web | Ios, Android, Hardware |
| Founded | 2015 | 2014 |
Identical on both: 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 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.
Choose Plume Labs if
- You need personal air sensor.
- You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
- You also want real-time tracking.
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.