Software · head to head
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Hello Weather
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Software
Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; Hello Weather limited features in free version compared to competitors with native rain alerts
- They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Hello Weather covers Multiple data sources.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Hello Weather actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Weather (Dark Sky) | Hello Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | Unknown |
| Platforms | iOS, macOS | iOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOS |
| Founded | 2011 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
- Siri
- CarPlay
- Macos support
Only in Hello Weather
- Multiple data sources
- Simple design
- Comparison mode
- Custom icons
- Widgets
- Siri shortcuts
Both cover
- iOS widgets
- Apple Watch
- Ios support
- Watchos 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 Hello Weather
- Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Hello Weather
- Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Hello Weather
- Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Hello Weather
Hello Weather
- Professional Worknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Content Creationnot 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
Hello Weather
- Limited features in free version compared to competitors with native rain alerts
- Smaller development team means slower feature updates compared to enterprise weather apps
- No native invoicing or team management for business use
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Free- FreeFree
- Full weather features
- Minute-by-minute rain
- Severe alerts
Hello Weather
Free- FreeFree
- Current, hourly, daily forecasts
- Multiple data source options
- Dark mode
- VIP$3/year
- Home screen and lock screen widgets
- Push notifications for precipitation
- Apple Watch app
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.
Choose Hello Weather if
- You need multiple data sources.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOS.
- You also want simple design.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Hello Weather better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Hello Weather 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 Hello Weather?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Hello Weather at Free.
- Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Hello Weather run on more platforms?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Hello Weather runs on iOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOS.
- 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 Hello Weather is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Hello Weather cannot?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Hello Weather covers Multiple data sources, Simple design, Comparison mode, Custom icons. Both handle iOS widgets, Apple Watch, Ios support, Watchos support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Hello Weather: What is Hello Weather's business model?
Hello Weather is free to download from the App Store with optional VIP membership. VIP costs $3 for one year, $5 for two years, or $7 for lifetime access.
SourceHello Weather: What weather data sources does Hello Weather support?
Hello Weather supports multiple weather data sources including Apple Weather, AccuWeather, Foreca, OpenWeather, Pirate Weather, The Weather Company, Tomorrow.io, Visual Crossing, Weatherbit, and Xweather.
SourceHello Weather: What platforms does Hello Weather support?
Hello Weather is available on iPhone, iPad, and Android. It includes Apple Watch app and complications, plus home screen and lock screen widgets.
SourceHello Weather: Is Hello Weather an independent project?
Yes, Hello Weather is developed by indie developers Jonas Downey and Trevor as a side project. The team describes themselves as friends with day jobs who make the app for fun.
SourceHello Weather: When was Hello Weather first launched?
Hello Weather was launched in 2016 and has achieved half a million downloads with thousands of paying VIP customers.
SourceRelated pages
More on Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
More on Hello Weather
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