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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Baron Weather

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Baron Weather logo

Baron Weather

Software

Critical weather technology for media and government

From
On request
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; Baron Weather pricing not published; enterprise sales model requires direct contact with sales team
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Baron Weather covers Broadcast graphics.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Baron Weather differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Baron Weather
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb API, Mobile Apps, ArcGIS Integration
Founded20111989

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 Baron Weather

  • Broadcast graphics
  • Radar systems
  • Severe weather detection
  • Mobile alerts
  • Custom solutions
  • Broadcast systems
  • Emergency management
  • Aviation

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

Baron Weather

  • Hyperlocal weather intelligence for broadcast and media operationsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Enterprise weather data and alerts for business continuity and risk managementnot 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

Baron Weather

  • Pricing not published; enterprise sales model requires direct contact with sales team

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Baron Weather

On request
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom solutions
    • Broadcast systems
    • Dedicated 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.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Choose Baron Weather if

  • You need broadcast graphics.
  • You work on Web API, Mobile Apps, ArcGIS Integration.
  • You also want radar systems.
Baron Weather review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Baron Weather better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Baron Weather at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Baron Weather?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and On request for Baron Weather.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Baron Weather run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Baron Weather runs on Web API, Mobile Apps, ArcGIS Integration.
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. Baron Weather starts at On request.
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 Baron Weather is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Baron Weather cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Baron Weather covers Broadcast graphics, Radar systems, Severe weather detection, Mobile alerts.
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