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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Arable

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arable logo

Arable

Software

In-field crop intelligence platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Arable requires the Mark 3 field sensor, so it is a hardware deployment rather than a software subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Arable covers Weather monitoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Arable actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Arable differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Arable
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Ios, Android, Hardware
Founded20112014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch

Only in Arable

  • Weather monitoring
  • Evapotranspiration
  • Chlorophyll index
  • Disease risk models
  • Growth stage tracking
  • Climate FieldView
  • John Deere
  • Trimble

Both cover

  • Ios support

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 Arable
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Arable
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Arable
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Arable

Arable

  • In-field weather and crop monitoring from a single sensornot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Irrigation scheduling based on measured conditionsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Water sustainability reporting for enterprise growersnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Weather risk management across dispersed fieldsnot 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

Arable

  • Requires the Mark 3 field sensor, so it is a hardware deployment rather than a software subscription
  • Pricing is not published and goes through a sales conversation
  • Aimed at enterprise growers and advisors rather than smallholders

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Arable

$29/month
  • Standard$1200/device/year
    • Weather data
    • Crop stress
    • Basic analytics
  • Premium$2400/device/year
    • Full analytics
    • Disease models
    • API access

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.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Choose Arable if

  • You need weather monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want evapotranspiration.
Arable review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Arable better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Arable at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Arable?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $29/month for Arable.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Arable run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Arable runs on Web, Ios, Android, Hardware.
Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
Yes. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arable starts at $29/month.
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 Arable is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Arable cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Arable covers Weather monitoring, Evapotranspiration, Chlorophyll index, Disease risk models. Both handle Ios support.
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