Software · head to head
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Aeris Weather
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Software
Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; Aeris Weather aerisWeather now sells as Xweather under Vaisala
- They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Aeris Weather covers Weather API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Aeris Weather actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Weather (Dark Sky) | Aeris Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | iOS, macOS | Api, Web, Mobile |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2011).
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 Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Minute-by-minute precipitation
- Next-hour forecasts
- Air quality
- UV index
- iOS widgets
- Siri
- Apple Watch
- CarPlay
Only in Aeris Weather
- Weather API
- Interactive maps
- Tropical data
- Historical records
- REST API
- Mapping SDKs
- Mobile SDKs
- Api support
Both cover
- Severe weather alerts
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot Aeris Weather
- Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Aeris Weather
- Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Aeris Weather
- Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Aeris Weather
Aeris Weather
- Adding weather data to an application through a REST APInot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Rendering weather map layers with the MapsGL SDKnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- High volume weather data feeds for commercial forecasting productsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Aeris Weather
- AerisWeather now sells as Xweather under Vaisala
- The free Developer tier is capped at 15,000 API accesses per month and the service pauses once the limit is reached
- The Developer tier gets community support only
- The self-serve paid subscription is EUR 300 per month for 1,000,000 accesses per month
- Anything beyond 1,000,000 accesses per month requires contacting sales for a custom arrangement
- Dedicated support and custom SLA guarantees are enterprise only
- Free tier usage resets on the account creation date rather than the calendar month
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Free- FreeFree
- Full weather features
- Minute-by-minute rain
- Severe alerts
Aeris Weather
Free- DeveloperFree
- 1,000 calls/day
- Basic data
- Maps
- Professional$100/month
- Unlimited calls
- All data
- Premium support
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Aeris Weather if
- You need weather api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Api, Web, Mobile.
- You also want interactive maps.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Aeris Weather better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Aeris Weather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Aeris Weather?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Aeris Weather at Free.
- Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Aeris Weather run on more platforms?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Aeris Weather runs on Api, Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) best used for?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch, viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, viewing high-resolution precipitation radar maps, receiving severe weather notifications. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch and viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days are not what Aeris Weather is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Aeris Weather cannot?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Air quality, UV index. Aeris Weather covers Weather API, Interactive maps, Tropical data, Historical records. Both handle Severe weather alerts.