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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs StormGeo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
StormGeo logo

StormGeo

Weather

Weather intelligence for shipping optimization

From
$800/month
Rated
-

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; StormGeo no longer independent as fully owned subsidiary of Alfa Laval since June 2021
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, StormGeo covers Weather routing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and StormGeo differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)StormGeo
Starting priceFree$800/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Windows, Api
Founded20111997

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 StormGeo

  • Weather routing
  • Voyage optimization
  • Fleet performance analytics
  • Safety alerts
  • ECDIS systems
  • Fleet management platforms
  • ERP systems
  • Web 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 StormGeo
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot StormGeo
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot StormGeo
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot StormGeo

StormGeo

No use cases recorded yet. See the StormGeo 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

StormGeo

  • No longer independent as fully owned subsidiary of Alfa Laval since June 2021
  • Primarily Europe-based with less established presence in Asian maritime markets compared to Weathernews
  • Focused on commercial and industrial sectors rather than consumer weather services

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

StormGeo

$800/month
  • s-Suite$2000/month
    • Weather routing
    • Voyage optimization
    • Fleet performance

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 StormGeo if

  • You need weather routing.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Api.
  • You also want voyage optimization.

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or StormGeo better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and StormGeo at $800/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or StormGeo?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $800/month for StormGeo.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or StormGeo run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. StormGeo runs on Web, Windows, 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. StormGeo starts at $800/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 StormGeo is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that StormGeo cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. StormGeo covers Weather routing, Voyage optimization, Fleet performance analytics, Safety alerts.

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
StormGeo: What industries does StormGeo serve?

StormGeo serves shipping, oil and gas, renewable energy, utilities, aviation, and cross-industry sectors with weather intelligence, routing, and operational decision support services.

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
StormGeo: What is s-Suite and what does it include?

s-Suite is StormGeo's complete, one-stop solution for shipping companies combining Voyage Planning, Onboard Route Optimization, Route Advisory Services and Fleet Performance Management.

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
StormGeo: Does StormGeo offer weather routing for maritime operations?

Yes. StormGeo provides Weather Routing and Voyage Optimization services that empower onboard and shoreside teams to plan and execute optimized, compliant voyages by combining AI-driven insights, advanced technology, and weather intelligence.

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
StormGeo: What is the s-Planner product used for?

StormGeo's s-Planner integrates route optimization and weather insights with up-to-date Electronic Navigational Charts and Publications to streamline onboard voyage planning workflow.

Source
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