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Weather · head to head

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs MeteoGroup

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MeteoGroup logo

MeteoGroup

Weather

Europe's leading commercial weather business

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; MeteoGroup no pricing information available on Meteogroup website or redirected DTN site
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, MeteoGroup covers European forecasts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and MeteoGroup differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)MeteoGroup
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Api, Broadcast
Founded20111986

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

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 MeteoGroup

  • European forecasts
  • Media graphics
  • Energy trading
  • Transportation weather
  • Agriculture insights
  • Broadcast systems
  • Energy platforms
  • Fleet management

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

MeteoGroup

  • Weather data and forecasting servicesnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Meteorological information and analyticsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Enterprise weather intelligencenot 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

MeteoGroup

  • No pricing information available on Meteogroup website or redirected DTN site
  • Business model and pricing structure not published
  • Contact required to determine pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

MeteoGroup

On request
  • EnterpriseFree
    • European coverage
    • Media solutions
    • Energy forecasting

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 MeteoGroup if

  • You need european forecasts.
  • You work on Web, Api, Broadcast.
  • You also want media graphics.
MeteoGroup review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or MeteoGroup better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and MeteoGroup 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 MeteoGroup?
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 MeteoGroup.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or MeteoGroup run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. MeteoGroup runs on Web, Api, Broadcast.
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. MeteoGroup 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 MeteoGroup is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that MeteoGroup cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. MeteoGroup covers European forecasts, Media graphics, Energy trading, Transportation weather.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): Is Dark Sky still available as a standalone service?

No. Dark Sky is no longer a standalone service. The Dark Sky API was discontinued on March 31, 2023, and replaced by Apple's WeatherKit API. Apple integrated Dark Sky's features into its native Weather app.

Source
MeteoGroup: How much does Meteogroup cost?

Meteogroup does not publish pricing on their website. The company website redirects to DTN.com, where pricing information is also not disclosed. Customers must contact the company directly through their sales process to obtain pricing information.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What features from Dark Sky are now in Apple Weather?

Apple Weather includes hyperlocal forecasts down to 0.001° precision, next-hour precipitation forecasts with charts and maps, extended hourly forecasts for 10 days, high-resolution weather maps with precipitation and air quality overlays, and government-issued severe weather alerts.

Source
MeteoGroup: What is Meteogroup's pricing model?

Meteogroup's pricing model is not published online. The company directs customers to contact their sales team directly for pricing quotes and information about their meteorological and weather data services.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What API replaced Dark Sky's API?

Developers who used Dark Sky API can now use Apple's WeatherKit API, which works across multiple platforms and replaces the deprecated Dark Sky API.

Source
MeteoGroup: Does Meteogroup offer a free trial?

Information about free trials is not available on the Meteogroup website. Interested customers should contact the company directly to inquire about trial options and pricing.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What versions of Apple OS support the new Weather features?

Apple Weather with the new features is accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura or newer, available through the App Store.

Source
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