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Weather & Environment · head to head

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs FourKites

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather & Environment

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FourKites logo

FourKites

Maritime & Shipping

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/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; FourKites fourKites uses an Outcome-as-a-Service model with no per-seat pricing published; all pricing requires talking to an Outcome Advisor
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, FourKites covers Real-time tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and FourKites differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)FourKites
Starting priceFree$2000/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Ios, Android, Api
CategoryWeather & EnvironmentMaritime & Shipping
Founded20112014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 FourKites

  • Real-time tracking
  • Predictive ETAs
  • Exception alerts
  • Yard management
  • TMS platforms
  • ERP systems
  • WMS
  • Web support

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

FourKites

No use cases recorded yet. See the FourKites review.

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

FourKites

  • FourKites uses an Outcome-as-a-Service model with no per-seat pricing published; all pricing requires talking to an Outcome Advisor

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

FourKites

$2000/month
  • Professional$5000/month
    • Multi-modal tracking
    • Predictive ETAs
    • Analytics

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 FourKites if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want predictive etas.
FourKites review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or FourKites better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and FourKites at $2000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or FourKites?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $2000/month for FourKites.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or FourKites run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. FourKites runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
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. FourKites starts at $2000/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 FourKites is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that FourKites cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management. Both handle Ios support.
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