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Weather & Environment · head to head

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Foreca

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather & Environment

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Foreca logo

Foreca

Weather & Environment

Finnish precision weather data for digital services

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; Foreca free version includes advertisements (only removable via paid subscription)
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Foreca covers Global forecasts.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Foreca differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Foreca
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Founded20111996

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

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 Foreca

  • Global forecasts
  • Automotive weather
  • Mobile SDK
  • White-label apps
  • Marine weather
  • Mobile platforms
  • Automotive systems
  • Digital services

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

Foreca

  • Checking hourly/daily forecasts and animated weather/radar mapsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Receiving government weather alerts and rain notificationsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Tracking air quality index and UV levelsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Monitoring multiple saved locationsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Apple Watch complications and home-screen widgets for at-a-glance weathernot 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

Foreca

  • Free version includes advertisements (only removable via paid subscription)
  • Requires relatively recent OS versions on Apple platforms (iOS 16.4+/macOS 13.0+) per App Store listing
  • Only paid differentiator is ad removal, no deeper feature tier beyond that

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Foreca

Free
  • Ad-free (3 months)$1.59/3 months
  • Ad-free (1 year)$4.99/year

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 Foreca if

  • You need global forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS.
  • You also want automotive weather.
Foreca review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Foreca better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Foreca 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 Foreca?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Foreca at Free.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Foreca run on more platforms?
Both run on iOS, macOS, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Foreca is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Foreca cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Foreca covers Global forecasts, Automotive weather, Mobile SDK, White-label apps.
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