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Weather · head to head

Ambient Weather Network vs Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Ambient Weather Network logo

Ambient Weather Network

Weather

Connect your weather station to the cloud

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: Ambient Weather Network the App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.; 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: Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, 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 Ambient Weather Network and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) actually diverge.

Attributes where Ambient Weather Network and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) differ
AttributeAmbient Weather NetworkApple Weather (Dark Sky)
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidiOS, macOS
Founded20032011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Ambient Weather Network

  • Cloud connectivity
  • Real-time data
  • Historical storage
  • Alerts
  • Public sharing
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • IFTTT

Only in Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Ambient Weather Network

  • Professional Worknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Content Creationnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Where each one falls short

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

Ambient Weather Network

  • The App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.

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

Ambient Weather Network

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Data upload
    • Dashboard
    • API access

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Ambient Weather Network if

  • You need cloud connectivity.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want real-time data.
Ambient Weather Network 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 Ambient Weather Network or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) better?
Neither clearly leads. Ambient Weather Network 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, Ambient Weather Network or Apple Weather (Dark Sky)?
Ambient Weather Network starts at Free and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free.
Does Ambient Weather Network or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) run on more platforms?
Ambient Weather Network runs on Web, Ios, Android. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS.
Can I use Ambient Weather Network for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Ambient Weather Network best used for?
Ambient Weather Network is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is typically brought in for.
What can Ambient Weather Network do that Apple Weather (Dark Sky) cannot?
Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, Real-time data, Historical storage, Alerts. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Both handle Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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