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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs NAPA

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
NAPA logo

NAPA

Software

Ship design and operational excellence

From
$5000/year
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; NAPA the Internet Archive's capture of NAPA's homepage on 1 January 2020 named six distinct maritime software products, NAPA Loading Computer, NAPA Emergency Computer, NAPA Logbook, NAPA Fleet Intelligence, NAPA Voyage Optimization and ClassNK-NAPA GREEN, with no price figure published for any.
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, NAPA covers Ship design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and NAPA differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)NAPA
Starting priceFree$5000/year
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWindows, Web
Founded20111989

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 NAPA

  • Ship design
  • Stability calculation
  • Voyage optimization
  • Performance monitoring
  • CAD systems
  • Fleet management
  • Weather routing
  • Windows 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 NAPA
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot NAPA
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot NAPA
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot NAPA

NAPA

No use cases recorded yet. See the NAPA 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

NAPA

  • The Internet Archive's capture of NAPA's homepage on 1 January 2020 named six distinct maritime software products, NAPA Loading Computer, NAPA Emergency Computer, NAPA Logbook, NAPA Fleet Intelligence, NAPA Voyage Optimization and ClassNK-NAPA GREEN, with no price figure published for any.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

NAPA

$5000/year
  • Fleet Intelligence$15000/year
    • Voyage optimization
    • Performance monitoring
    • 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 NAPA if

  • You need ship design.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want stability calculation.
NAPA review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or NAPA better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and NAPA at $5000/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or NAPA?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $5000/year for NAPA.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or NAPA run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. NAPA runs on Windows, Web.
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. NAPA starts at $5000/year.
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 NAPA is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that NAPA cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. NAPA covers Ship design, Stability calculation, Voyage optimization, Performance monitoring.
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