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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs CattleMax

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CattleMax logo

CattleMax

Software

Cattle herd management software

From
$99/year
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; CattleMax priced by active animal count, so the bill grows with the herd rather than with usage
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, CattleMax covers Individual animal records.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and CattleMax differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)CattleMax
Starting priceFree$99/year
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Windows, Ios, Android
Founded20112003

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 CattleMax

  • Individual animal records
  • Breeding management
  • Calving records
  • Health & treatment tracking
  • Weight management
  • EPD/genetic data
  • Custom reporting
  • Photo management

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

CattleMax

  • Cow-calf herd records and reproduction trackingnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Weights, treatments and performance history per animalnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Registered cattle records for breed association reportingnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Unlimited users on one operation's accountnot 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

CattleMax

  • Priced by active animal count, so the bill grows with the herd rather than with usage
  • The Registered plan costs more than Commercial at every band, from $16 against $12 a month
  • Operations above 2,000 animals move to custom pricing
  • Support is Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Central only
  • Cows and calves count separately toward the animal limit

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

CattleMax

$99/year
  • Starter$99/year
    • Up to 50 head
    • Basic animal records
    • Calving records
  • Standard$199/year
    • Up to 200 head
    • Breeding management
    • Health records
  • Professional$399/year
    • Unlimited animals
    • Advanced genetics
    • EPD tracking

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 CattleMax if

  • You need individual animal records.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Ios, Android.
  • You also want breeding management.
CattleMax review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or CattleMax better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and CattleMax at $99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or CattleMax?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $99/year for CattleMax.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or CattleMax run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. CattleMax runs on Web, Windows, Ios, Android.
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. CattleMax starts at $99/year.
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 CattleMax is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that CattleMax cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. CattleMax covers Individual animal records, Breeding management, Calving records, Health & treatment tracking. Both handle Ios support.
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