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Carrot Weather vs EPA AirNow

Carrot Weather logo

Carrot Weather

Weather

Hilariously accurate weather app with personality

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Carrot Weather most advanced weather data sources (AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Aeris Weather, Netatmo personal stations) and map layers (lightning, alerts, wind, humidity, dew point, snow depth) are locked behind paid Premium/Ultrapremium Club subscriptions, not included in the base app; EPA AirNow air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
  • They diverge on capability: Carrot Weather covers Personality modes, EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Carrot Weather and EPA AirNow actually diverge.

Attributes where Carrot Weather and EPA AirNow differ
AttributeCarrot WeatherEPA AirNow
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsiOS, Android, macOSiOS, Android, Web
Founded20131970

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 Carrot Weather

  • Personality modes
  • Multiple data sources
  • Custom layouts
  • Secret locations
  • Snarky commentary
  • Apple Watch
  • Siri shortcuts
  • Ios support

Only in EPA AirNow

  • Official AQI data
  • Air quality forecasts
  • Fire & smoke data
  • Health recommendations
  • API access
  • Data feeds
  • API
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Widgets

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Carrot Weather

  • Checking current, hourly, and daily weather forecasts with a humorous AI personalitynot EPA AirNow
  • Viewing radar, storm cell, and weather alert mapsnot EPA AirNow
  • Receiving push notifications for rain, lightning, or storm cells (premium)not EPA AirNow
  • Tracking historical weather data (up to 70 years back) or long-range forecasts via the 'weather time machine' featurenot EPA AirNow
  • Using Apple Watch complications/widgets for at-a-glance forecastsnot EPA AirNow

EPA AirNow

  • Checking current Air Quality Index (AQI) for a location or any searched areanot Carrot Weather
  • Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot Carrot Weather
  • Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not Carrot Weather
  • Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot Carrot Weather
  • Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot Carrot Weather

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Carrot Weather

  • Most advanced weather data sources (AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Aeris Weather, Netatmo personal stations) and map layers (lightning, alerts, wind, humidity, dew point, snow depth) are locked behind paid Premium/Ultrapremium Club subscriptions, not included in the base app
  • Background Apple Watch updates for premium data sources require an active subscription
  • Pricing for named tiers (Premium Club, Premium Ultra, Premium Family) is disclosed only via in-app purchase screens rather than a public pricing page with fixed dollar figures
  • Mac App Store listing shows a separate $14.99 one-time purchase price for macOS, a different pricing model than the free-to-download iOS/Android version

EPA AirNow

  • Air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
  • Interactive monitor map (PM2.5, PM10, ozone) coverage documented on the primary source is U.S.-focused
  • As a government-run service it offers no paid tiers, proprietary data sources, or customization options found in commercial weather/air-quality apps

Pricing, plan by plan

Carrot Weather

Free
  • Premium Club$undefined/mo
    • Additional data sources and map layers
  • Ultrapremium Club$undefined/mo
    • Full data sources, map layers, notifications
  • Premium Family$undefined/mo
    • Shares Premium/Ultrapremium across up to 5 family members

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Carrot Weather if

  • You need personality modes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want multiple data sources.
Carrot Weather review

Choose EPA AirNow if

  • You need official aqi data.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want air quality forecasts.
EPA AirNow review

Questions people ask

Is Carrot Weather or EPA AirNow better?
Neither clearly leads. Carrot Weather starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Carrot Weather or EPA AirNow?
Carrot Weather starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free.
Does Carrot Weather or EPA AirNow run on more platforms?
Carrot Weather runs on iOS, Android, macOS. EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Carrot Weather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Carrot Weather best used for?
Carrot Weather is most often used for checking current, hourly, and daily weather forecasts with a humorous ai personality, viewing radar, storm cell, and weather alert maps, receiving push notifications for rain, lightning, or storm cells (premium), tracking historical weather data (up to 70 years back) or long-range forecasts via the 'weather time machine' feature. Of those, checking current, hourly, and daily weather forecasts with a humorous ai personality and viewing radar, storm cell, and weather alert maps are not what EPA AirNow is typically brought in for.
What can Carrot Weather do that EPA AirNow cannot?
Carrot Weather covers Personality modes, Multiple data sources, Custom layouts, Secret locations. EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Both handle Widgets.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Carrot Weather: How much does Carrot Weather cost?

Carrot Weather pricing is not displayed on the vendor website. The app offers a Premium Club membership model for access to advanced features like custom widgets, notifications, data source switching, weather maps, and customization options, but specific costs require checking the app store. Source: https://www.meetcarrot.com/weather

Source
EPA AirNow: Is AirNow.gov free to use?

Yes. AirNow.gov is a free service operated by the EPA and its partners that provides air quality data, forecasts, maps, and educational resources at no cost to users.

Source
Carrot Weather: What features require Carrot Weather Premium Club?

Advanced features including custom widgets, notifications, data source switching, detailed weather maps, and interface customization require Carrot Weather Premium Club membership. Basic weather forecasting is available without a paid membership. Source: https://www.meetcarrot.com/weather

Source
EPA AirNow: Are there any subscription costs or fees associated with AirNow.gov?

No. AirNow.gov offers all services, data access, and tools completely free. There are no subscription tiers, fees, or payment options of any kind.

Source
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