Software · head to head
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Tomorrow.io
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Software
Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Tomorrow.io
Software
Weather intelligence platform for business decisions
- 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; Tomorrow.io free plan limited to 5-day forecast, 24 hours of historical data, 1 monitored location, and 1 weather alert
- They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Tomorrow.io covers Minute-by-minute forecasts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Tomorrow.io actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Weather (Dark Sky) | Tomorrow.io |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | Unknown |
| Platforms | iOS, macOS | Web API |
| 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
- UV index
- iOS widgets
- Siri
- Apple Watch
- CarPlay
Only in Tomorrow.io
- Minute-by-minute forecasts
- Weather API
- Road conditions
- Pollen data
- REST API
- Webhooks
- Enterprise systems
- Api support
Both cover
- Air quality
- 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 Tomorrow.io
- Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Tomorrow.io
- Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Tomorrow.io
- Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Tomorrow.io
Tomorrow.io
- Weather prediction API for operational risk management across industriesnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Industry-specific weather AI agents for insurance, aviation, energy, logistics, and manufacturingnot 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
Tomorrow.io
- Free plan limited to 5-day forecast, 24 hours of historical data, 1 monitored location, and 1 weather alert
- Premium data layers (air quality, pollen, solar, lightning) available only on Enterprise plans
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Free- FreeFree
- Full weather features
- Minute-by-minute rain
- Severe alerts
Tomorrow.io
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Tomorrow.io review.
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 Tomorrow.io if
- You need minute-by-minute forecasts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web API.
- You also want weather api.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Tomorrow.io better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Tomorrow.io 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 Tomorrow.io?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Tomorrow.io at Free.
- Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Tomorrow.io run on more platforms?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Tomorrow.io runs on Web API.
- 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 Tomorrow.io is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Tomorrow.io cannot?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, UV index. Tomorrow.io covers Minute-by-minute forecasts, Weather API, Road conditions, Pollen data. Both handle Air quality, Ios support.