Softwr

Weather · head to head

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Atmotube

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Atmotube logo

Atmotube

Weather

Portable air quality monitor for on-the-go tracking

From
$179/one-time
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; Atmotube a hardware purchase: the readings come from the Atmotube PRO 2 or Atmocube device rather than from the app alone
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Atmotube covers Portable design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Atmotube differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Atmotube
Starting priceFree$179/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSIos, Android, Hardware
Founded20112015

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 Atmotube

  • Portable design
  • PM1/2.5/10 sensors
  • VOC detection
  • Temperature/humidity
  • GPS tracking
  • Mobile app
  • PlanetWatch
  • Data export

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

Atmotube

  • Personal exposure tracking for PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 while moving aroundnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Indoor air quality monitoring for CO2 and VOCsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Commercial building air quality dashboards with Atmocubenot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Noise and light monitoring alongside air quality in officesnot 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

Atmotube

  • A hardware purchase: the readings come from the Atmotube PRO 2 or Atmocube device rather than from the app alone
  • Prices are not shown on the main site and sit in a separate store
  • The two devices measure different things, with formaldehyde, light and noise on Atmocube only

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Atmotube

$179/one-time
  • Atmotube Pro$179/one-time
    • PM sensors
    • VOC detection
    • Bluetooth

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 Atmotube if

  • You need portable design.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want pm1/2.5/10 sensors.

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Atmotube better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Atmotube at $179/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Atmotube?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $179/one-time for Atmotube.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Atmotube run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Atmotube runs on Ios, Android, Hardware.
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. Atmotube starts at $179/one-time.
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 Atmotube is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Atmotube cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Atmotube covers Portable design, PM1/2.5/10 sensors, VOC detection, Temperature/humidity. Both handle 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
Atmotube: What products does Atmotube offer and what are their prices?

The landing page mentions two products: Atmotube PRO 2 and Atmocube. However, actual pricing is not disclosed on this page. You must visit the external shop (eu.store.atmotube.com) to see prices.

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
Atmotube: Is there a way to evaluate Atmotube before purchasing?

The page does not mention a free trial, evaluation period, or money-back guarantee. Pricing and trial options would need to be discussed through the 'Talk to Sales' contact option.

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
Atmotube: Is there ongoing subscription or just one-time purchase?

The page does not clarify whether Atmotube products are one-time purchases, require subscriptions, or have recurring costs. This information would need to be obtained from the shop or sales team.

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
Share

Related pages

Other head to heads