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Weather & Environment · head to head

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Ventusky

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather & Environment

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ventusky logo

Ventusky

Weather & Environment

Beautiful weather maps from Czech developers

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; Ventusky the Premium subscription page names two tiers, Premium and Premium plus, capped at 4 and 25 devices respectively, but publishes no price for either, showing a dash where the figure would appear
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Ventusky covers Animated weather maps.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Ventusky differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Ventusky
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20112015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather & Environment).

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 Ventusky

  • Animated weather maps
  • Multiple forecast models
  • Wind visualization
  • Temperature maps
  • Precipitation forecasts
  • Web embedding
  • Web support
  • Android support

Both cover

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

Ventusky

  • Interactive weather forecast, radar and wind mapping, with a paid Premium tier for unlimited layers and forecasts beyond 7 daysnot 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

Ventusky

  • The Premium subscription page names two tiers, Premium and Premium plus, capped at 4 and 25 devices respectively, but publishes no price for either, showing a dash where the figure would appear

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Ventusky

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Weather maps
    • Multiple models
    • Forecasts

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 Ventusky if

  • You need animated weather maps.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want multiple forecast models.
Ventusky review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Ventusky better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Ventusky 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 Ventusky?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Ventusky at Free.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Ventusky run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Ventusky runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Ventusky is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Ventusky cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Ventusky covers Animated weather maps, Multiple forecast models, Wind visualization, Temperature maps. Both handle Ios support.
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