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Weather · head to head

AirVisual vs Yr.no

AirVisual logo

AirVisual

Weather

World's largest air quality information platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Yr.no logo

Yr.no

Weather

Norway's trusted free weather service for the world

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; Yr.no full API/data usage requires attribution to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK per their terms, not a no-strings-attached free service
  • They diverge on capability: AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, Yr.no covers Hourly forecasts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AirVisual and Yr.no actually diverge.

Attributes where AirVisual and Yr.no differ
AttributeAirVisualYr.no
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20152007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Apple Watch

Only in Yr.no

  • Hourly forecasts
  • Long-term predictions
  • Precipitation graphs
  • Wind data
  • Aurora forecasts
  • Open API

Both cover

  • Widgets
  • Smart displays
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • 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 Yr.no
  • Seven day air quality forecastsnot Yr.no
  • Health guidance based on current pollutionnot Yr.no
  • Comparing indoor and outdoor air with an IQAir monitornot Yr.no

Yr.no

  • Checking day-by-day and hour-by-hour weather forecasts with graph detailsnot AirVisual
  • Now-cast alerts for rainfall expected within the next 90 minutesnot AirVisual
  • Viewing UV forecasts, pollen spread, and air pollution overviewsnot AirVisual
  • Embedding free weather widgets/modules on third-party websitesnot AirVisual
  • Building weather features into apps via Yr's free REST APIs (forecasts, alerts, radar, ocean data)not 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

Yr.no

  • Full API/data usage requires attribution to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK per their terms, not a no-strings-attached free service
  • Product and documentation are heavily Norway/Nordic-centric in framing even though forecasts cover any location on earth
  • No paid/pro consumer tier is published, monetization/support model beyond the free service is unclear from primary sources

Pricing, plan by plan

AirVisual

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

Yr.no

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather data
    • Hourly forecasts
    • Long-term outlook

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 Yr.no if

  • You need hourly forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want long-term predictions.

Questions people ask

Is AirVisual or Yr.no better?
Neither clearly leads. AirVisual starts at Free and Yr.no at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AirVisual or Yr.no?
AirVisual starts at Free and Yr.no at Free.
Does AirVisual or Yr.no run on more platforms?
AirVisual runs on Ios, Android, Web. Yr.no runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 Yr.no is typically brought in for.
What can AirVisual do that Yr.no cannot?
AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, 3-day forecasts, Health recommendations, City rankings. Yr.no covers Hourly forecasts, Long-term predictions, Precipitation graphs, Wind data. Both handle Widgets, Smart displays, 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
Yr.no: Is Yr.no free to use?

Yes, Yr.no is a free weather forecasting service. It is a collaboration between NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) and The Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

Source
AirVisual: Does AirVisual offer financing for equipment purchases?

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

Source
Yr.no: Does Yr.no require registration or payment to access weather forecasts?

The website does not mention any registration requirements, subscription tiers, or payment obligations. Access to weather information appears to be free without account creation.

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
Yr.no: Who funds and maintains Yr.no if it is free?

Yr.no is maintained as a public service collaboration between NRK (Norwegian public broadcasting) and The Norwegian Meteorological Institute, both government-supported organizations.

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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