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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs The Weather Channel

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Weather Channel logo

The Weather Channel

Weather

America's most trusted weather source with real-time forecasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; The Weather Channel premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, The Weather Channel covers 10-day 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 The Weather Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and The Weather Channel differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)The Weather Channel
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsiOS, macOSiOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku
Founded20111982

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch
  • CarPlay

Only in The Weather Channel

  • 10-day forecasts
  • Hourly predictions
  • Interactive radar
  • Air quality index
  • Smart home devices
  • Connected cars
  • Wearables
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Severe weather alerts
  • 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 The Weather Channel
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot The Weather Channel
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot The Weather Channel
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel

  • Checking daily and 10-day local weather forecastsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Tracking storms and hurricanes via Storm Radarnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Viewing weather radar mapsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Getting severe weather alertsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Accessing weather news and video content on weather.comnot 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

The Weather Channel

  • Premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • Premium subscription required for advanced radar customization
  • Premium perks tied to partner deals which may change

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

The Weather Channel

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Rain radar and storm tracker
    • Allergy tracker
    • 24-hour future radar
  • Premium$29.99/year
    • All free features
    • Premium perks program (up to USD 187 value)
    • 18Birdies golf app access (30% off plus free week)

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 The Weather Channel if

  • You need 10-day forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
  • You also want hourly predictions.
The Weather Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or The Weather Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and The Weather Channel 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 The Weather Channel?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and The Weather Channel at Free.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or The Weather Channel run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. The Weather Channel runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
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 The Weather Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that The Weather Channel cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Air quality, UV index. The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts, Hourly predictions, Interactive radar, Air quality index. Both handle Severe weather alerts, Ios support.

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
The Weather Channel: What is the cost of The Weather Channel Premium?

The Weather Channel Premium subscription costs USD 29.99 annually with a 7-day free trial before the annual charge is applied.

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
The Weather Channel: What premium features are included?

The Weather Channel Premium includes premium perks program offering up to USD 187 in partner deals, access to 18Birdies golf app (30% off plus free week), and professional-grade customizable radar with high-resolution single-site radar on iOS and macOS devices.

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
The Weather Channel: What are the free features available?

Free features include rain radar, storm tracker, allergy tracker, 24-hour future radar, storm alerts, Feels Like temperature, hourly and daily forecasts, weather widgets with dark mode support, and air quality monitoring.

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
The Weather Channel: What devices are supported?

The Weather Channel app is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, and other streaming platforms.

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