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Weather & Environment · head to head

Ambient Weather Network vs The Weather Channel

Ambient Weather Network logo

Ambient Weather Network

Weather & Environment

Connect your weather station to the cloud

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Weather Channel logo

The Weather Channel

Weather & Environment

America's most trusted weather source with real-time forecasts

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.; The Weather Channel premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • They diverge on capability: Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ambient Weather Network and The Weather Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Ambient Weather Network and The Weather Channel differ
AttributeAmbient Weather NetworkThe Weather Channel
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidiOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku
Founded20031982

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather & Environment).

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 The Weather Channel

  • 10-day forecasts
  • Hourly predictions
  • Interactive radar
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality index
  • Smart home devices
  • Connected cars
  • Wearables

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Ambient Weather Network

  • Professional Worknot The Weather Channel
  • Content Creationnot The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel

  • Checking daily and 10-day local weather forecastsnot Ambient Weather Network
  • Tracking storms and hurricanes via Storm Radarnot Ambient Weather Network
  • Viewing weather radar mapsnot Ambient Weather Network
  • Getting severe weather alertsnot Ambient Weather Network
  • Accessing weather news and video content on weather.comnot 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.

The Weather Channel

  • Premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • Premium subscription required for advanced radar customization
  • Premium perks tied to partner deals which may change

Pricing, plan by plan

Ambient Weather Network

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Data upload
    • Dashboard
    • API access

The Weather Channel

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Rain radar and storm tracker
    • Allergy tracker
    • 24-hour future radar
  • Premium$29.99/year
    • All free features
    • Premium perks program (up to USD 187 value)
    • 18Birdies golf app access (30% off plus free week)

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 The Weather Channel if

  • You need 10-day forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
  • You also want hourly predictions.
The Weather Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Ambient Weather Network or The Weather Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Ambient Weather Network starts at Free and The Weather Channel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ambient Weather Network or The Weather Channel?
Ambient Weather Network starts at Free and The Weather Channel at Free.
Does Ambient Weather Network or The Weather Channel run on more platforms?
Ambient Weather Network runs on Web, Ios, Android. The Weather Channel runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
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 The Weather Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Ambient Weather Network do that The Weather Channel cannot?
Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, Real-time data, Historical storage, Alerts. The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts, Hourly predictions, Interactive radar, Severe weather alerts. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

The Weather Channel: What is the cost of The Weather Channel Premium?

The Weather Channel Premium subscription costs USD 29.99 annually with a 7-day free trial before the annual charge is applied.

Source
The Weather Channel: What premium features are included?

The Weather Channel Premium includes premium perks program offering up to USD 187 in partner deals, access to 18Birdies golf app (30% off plus free week), and professional-grade customizable radar with high-resolution single-site radar on iOS and macOS devices.

Source
The Weather Channel: What are the free features available?

Free features include rain radar, storm tracker, allergy tracker, 24-hour future radar, storm alerts, Feels Like temperature, hourly and daily forecasts, weather widgets with dark mode support, and air quality monitoring.

The Weather Channel: What devices are supported?

The Weather Channel app is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, and other streaming platforms.

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