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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs DTN Weather

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DTN Weather logo

DTN Weather

Software

Enterprise weather solutions for agriculture and energy

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; DTN Weather dTN Ag Weather Tools subscription does not automatically renew; users must resubscribe at the end of each term, per the App Store listing
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, DTN Weather covers Precision forecasts.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and DTN Weather differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)DTN Weather
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Api, Mobile
Founded20111984

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 DTN Weather

  • Precision forecasts
  • Agricultural weather
  • Energy forecasting
  • Risk analysis
  • Historical data
  • Enterprise APIs
  • Custom integrations
  • Data feeds

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

DTN Weather

  • Professional weather data for aviation operationsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Weather intelligence for agriculture decision-makingnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Decision-grade weather data for energy, utilities, and transportation industriesnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • 24/7 weather operations monitoring and alert servicesnot 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

DTN Weather

  • DTN Ag Weather Tools subscription does not automatically renew; users must resubscribe at the end of each term, per the App Store listing
  • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period, per the App Store listing for DTN Ag Weather Tools
  • Any unused portion of the 30 day free trial is forfeited when the user purchases a subscription, per the App Store listing for DTN Ag Weather Tools
  • DTN Ag Weather Tools pricing stated in the App Store listing as $16.99 for one month or $169.99 for a full year (USD)

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

DTN Weather

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DTN Weather review.

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 DTN Weather if

  • You need precision forecasts.
  • You work on Web, Api, Mobile.
  • You also want agricultural weather.
DTN Weather review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or DTN Weather better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and DTN 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 DTN 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 DTN Weather.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or DTN Weather run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. DTN Weather runs on Web, Api, Mobile.
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. DTN 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 DTN Weather is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that DTN Weather cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. DTN Weather covers Precision forecasts, Agricultural weather, Energy forecasting, Risk analysis.
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