Weather · head to head
Ambient Weather Network vs Plume Labs

Ambient Weather Network
Weather
Connect your weather station to the cloud
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -

Plume Labs
Weather
Personal air quality tracking and forecasting
- From
- $179/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Ambient Weather Network has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- 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.; 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: Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, 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 Ambient Weather Network and Plume Labs actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ambient Weather Network | Plume Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $179/one-time |
| Pricing model | free | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Ios, Android, Hardware |
| Founded | 2003 | 2014 |
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 Ambient Weather Network
- Cloud connectivity
- Real-time data
- Historical storage
- Alerts
- Public sharing
- Alexa
- Google Home
- IFTTT
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.
Ambient Weather Network
- Professional Work
- Content Creation
Plume Labs
- Professional Work
- Content Creation
Both are used for professional work, content creation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
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.
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
Ambient Weather Network
Free- FreeFree
- Data upload
- Dashboard
- API access
Plume Labs
$179/one-time- Flow 2$179/one-time
- Personal sensor
- Real-time tracking
- App access
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.
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 Ambient Weather Network or Plume Labs better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ambient Weather Network 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, Ambient Weather Network or Plume Labs?
- Ambient Weather Network has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Ambient Weather Network and $179/one-time for Plume Labs.
- Does Ambient Weather Network or Plume Labs run on more platforms?
- Ambient Weather Network runs on Web, Ios, Android. Plume Labs runs on Ios, Android, Hardware.
- Can I use Ambient Weather Network for free?
- Yes. Ambient Weather Network has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Plume Labs starts at $179/one-time.
- What is Ambient Weather Network best used for?
- Ambient Weather Network is most often used for professional work, content creation.
- What can Ambient Weather Network do that Plume Labs cannot?
- Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, Real-time data, Historical storage, Alerts. 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
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.
SourcePlume 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Ambient Weather Network
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