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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs CropX

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CropX logo

CropX

Software

Soil intelligence for precision irrigation

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; CropX the platform depends on CropX in-field hardware, including soil sensors, evapotranspiration sensors, weather stations and telemetry devices
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, CropX covers Soil moisture sensing.

Where they differ

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

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

  • Soil moisture sensing
  • Irrigation scheduling
  • Salinity monitoring
  • Root zone analysis
  • Weather integration
  • Valley Irrigation
  • Lindsay
  • Netafim

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

CropX

  • Scheduling irrigation from continuous soil moisture sensor readingsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Monitoring disease risk and crop nutrition against in-field weather datanot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Combining sensor, weather and satellite data in a single farm management systemnot 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

CropX

  • The platform depends on CropX in-field hardware, including soil sensors, evapotranspiration sensors, weather stations and telemetry devices
  • Pricing is by quote only, with no rate, minimum or named cost driver published; the site offers only a demo request handled by a local sales team

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

CropX

$29/month
  • Basic$250/sensor/year
    • Soil moisture
    • Temperature
    • Basic analytics
  • Advanced$500/sensor/year
    • Full analytics
    • Irrigation recommendations
    • 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 CropX if

  • You need soil moisture sensing.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want irrigation scheduling.
CropX review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or CropX better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and CropX 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 CropX?
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 CropX.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or CropX run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. CropX 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. CropX 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 CropX is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that CropX cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. CropX covers Soil moisture sensing, Irrigation scheduling, Salinity monitoring, Root zone analysis. Both handle Ios support.
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