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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Carrot Weather

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Carrot Weather logo

Carrot Weather

Weather

Hilariously accurate weather app with personality

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Carrot Weather most advanced weather data sources (AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Aeris Weather, Netatmo personal stations) and map layers (lightning, alerts, wind, humidity, dew point, snow depth) are locked behind paid Premium/Ultrapremium Club subscriptions, not included in the base app
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Carrot Weather covers Personality modes.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Carrot Weather differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Carrot Weather
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsiOS, macOSiOS, Android, macOS
Founded20112013

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

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
  • CarPlay

Only in Carrot Weather

  • Personality modes
  • Multiple data sources
  • Custom layouts
  • Secret locations
  • Snarky commentary
  • Siri shortcuts
  • Widgets

Both cover

  • Apple Watch
  • Ios support
  • Macos support
  • Watchos 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 Carrot Weather
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Carrot Weather
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Carrot Weather
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Carrot Weather

Carrot Weather

  • Checking current, hourly, and daily weather forecasts with a humorous AI personalitynot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Viewing radar, storm cell, and weather alert mapsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Receiving push notifications for rain, lightning, or storm cells (premium)not Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Tracking historical weather data (up to 70 years back) or long-range forecasts via the 'weather time machine' featurenot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Using Apple Watch complications/widgets for at-a-glance forecastsnot 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

Carrot Weather

  • Most advanced weather data sources (AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Aeris Weather, Netatmo personal stations) and map layers (lightning, alerts, wind, humidity, dew point, snow depth) are locked behind paid Premium/Ultrapremium Club subscriptions, not included in the base app
  • Background Apple Watch updates for premium data sources require an active subscription
  • Pricing for named tiers (Premium Club, Premium Ultra, Premium Family) is disclosed only via in-app purchase screens rather than a public pricing page with fixed dollar figures
  • Mac App Store listing shows a separate $14.99 one-time purchase price for macOS, a different pricing model than the free-to-download iOS/Android version

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Carrot Weather

Free
  • Premium Club$undefined/mo
    • Additional data sources and map layers
  • Ultrapremium Club$undefined/mo
    • Full data sources, map layers, notifications
  • Premium Family$undefined/mo
    • Shares Premium/Ultrapremium across up to 5 family members

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 Carrot Weather if

  • You need personality modes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want multiple data sources.
Carrot Weather review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Carrot Weather better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Carrot 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 Carrot Weather?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Carrot Weather at Free.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Carrot Weather run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Carrot Weather runs on iOS, Android, macOS.
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 Carrot Weather is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Carrot Weather cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Carrot Weather covers Personality modes, Multiple data sources, Custom layouts, Secret locations. Both handle Apple Watch, Ios support, Macos support, Watchos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): Is Dark Sky still available as a standalone service?

No. Dark Sky is no longer a standalone service. The Dark Sky API was discontinued on March 31, 2023, and replaced by Apple's WeatherKit API. Apple integrated Dark Sky's features into its native Weather app.

Source
Carrot Weather: How much does Carrot Weather cost?

Carrot Weather pricing is not displayed on the vendor website. The app offers a Premium Club membership model for access to advanced features like custom widgets, notifications, data source switching, weather maps, and customization options, but specific costs require checking the app store. Source: https://www.meetcarrot.com/weather

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What features from Dark Sky are now in Apple Weather?

Apple Weather includes hyperlocal forecasts down to 0.001° precision, next-hour precipitation forecasts with charts and maps, extended hourly forecasts for 10 days, high-resolution weather maps with precipitation and air quality overlays, and government-issued severe weather alerts.

Source
Carrot Weather: What features require Carrot Weather Premium Club?

Advanced features including custom widgets, notifications, data source switching, detailed weather maps, and interface customization require Carrot Weather Premium Club membership. Basic weather forecasting is available without a paid membership. Source: https://www.meetcarrot.com/weather

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What API replaced Dark Sky's API?

Developers who used Dark Sky API can now use Apple's WeatherKit API, which works across multiple platforms and replaces the deprecated Dark Sky API.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What versions of Apple OS support the new Weather features?

Apple Weather with the new features is accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura or newer, available through the App Store.

Source
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