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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Weather Underground PWS

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Software

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Weather Underground PWS logo

Weather Underground PWS

Software

World's largest personal weather station network

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; Weather Underground PWS personal weather station network relies on community contributions
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Weather Underground PWS covers Station network.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Weather Underground PWS differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Weather Underground PWS
PlatformsiOS, macOSWeb, Mobile
Founded20111995

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch

Only in Weather Underground PWS

  • Station network
  • Real-time upload
  • Historical data
  • Quality control
  • Community rankings
  • PWS devices
  • Data APIs
  • Weather apps

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

Weather Underground PWS

  • Community-sourced weather station networknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Personal weather monitoring and forecastingnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Historical weather data accessnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Severe weather alerts and notificationsnot 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

Weather Underground PWS

  • Personal weather station network relies on community contributions
  • Data accuracy varies by station quality

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Weather Underground PWS

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Station registration
    • Data upload
    • Dashboard

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 Weather Underground PWS if

  • You need station network.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time upload.
Weather Underground PWS review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Weather Underground PWS better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Weather Underground PWS 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 Weather Underground PWS?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Weather Underground PWS at Free.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Weather Underground PWS run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Weather Underground PWS runs on Web, Mobile.
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 Weather Underground PWS is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Weather Underground PWS cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Weather Underground PWS covers Station network, Real-time upload, Historical data, Quality control.
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