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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Atmotube

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Atmotube logo

Atmotube

Software

Portable air quality monitor for on-the-go tracking

From
$179/one-time
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; Atmotube a hardware purchase: the readings come from the Atmotube PRO 2 or Atmocube device rather than from the app alone
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Atmotube covers Portable design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Atmotube differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Atmotube
Starting priceFree$179/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSIos, Android, Hardware
Founded20112015

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 Atmotube

  • Portable design
  • PM1/2.5/10 sensors
  • VOC detection
  • Temperature/humidity
  • GPS tracking
  • Mobile app
  • PlanetWatch
  • Data export

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

Atmotube

  • Personal exposure tracking for PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 while moving aroundnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Indoor air quality monitoring for CO2 and VOCsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Commercial building air quality dashboards with Atmocubenot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Noise and light monitoring alongside air quality in officesnot 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

Atmotube

  • A hardware purchase: the readings come from the Atmotube PRO 2 or Atmocube device rather than from the app alone
  • Prices are not shown on the main site and sit in a separate store
  • The two devices measure different things, with formaldehyde, light and noise on Atmocube only

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Atmotube

$179/one-time
  • Atmotube Pro$179/one-time
    • PM sensors
    • VOC detection
    • Bluetooth

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 Atmotube if

  • You need portable design.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want pm1/2.5/10 sensors.
Atmotube review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Atmotube better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Atmotube at $179/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Atmotube?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $179/one-time for Atmotube.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Atmotube run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Atmotube runs on 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. Atmotube starts at $179/one-time.
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 Atmotube is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Atmotube cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Atmotube covers Portable design, PM1/2.5/10 sensors, VOC detection, Temperature/humidity. Both handle Ios support.
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