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AccuWeather vs EPA AirNow

AccuWeather logo

AccuWeather

Weather

Superior accuracy with proprietary RealFeel technology

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: AccuWeather free API tier limited to 500 calls/day (14-day trial), forcing quick upgrade to paid plans; 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: AccuWeather covers RealFeel temperature, 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 AccuWeather and EPA AirNow actually diverge.

Attributes where AccuWeather and EPA AirNow differ
AttributeAccuWeatherEPA AirNow
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOSiOS, Android, Web
Founded19621970

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 AccuWeather

  • RealFeel temperature
  • MinuteCast
  • 45-day forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • Smart TV apps
  • Automotive
  • Smart speakers

Only in EPA AirNow

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

AccuWeather

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (MinuteCast)not EPA AirNow
  • Getting severe weather alerts and notificationsnot EPA AirNow
  • Viewing extended daily/hourly forecasts for trip planningnot EPA AirNow
  • Building weather-driven features into third-party apps via the Core Weather APInot EPA AirNow
  • Ad-free or premium in-app weather viewing via AccuWeather Premium/Premium+ subscriptionsnot EPA AirNow

EPA AirNow

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

Where each one falls short

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

AccuWeather

  • Free API tier limited to 500 calls/day (14-day trial), forcing quick upgrade to paid plans
  • Entry paid API tier (Starter, $2/month) capped at 15,000 monthly calls with only Current Conditions and 5-day Forecast
  • Higher-tier forecast features (72-hour/10-day/120-hour/15-day forecasts, Alerts, Imagery) gated behind Prime ($250/mo) and Elite ($500/mo) API plans
  • Consumer app requires iOS 17 / iPadOS 17 / macOS 14 or later, excluding older Apple devices

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

AccuWeather

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 daily API calls (14-day trial)
  • AccuWeather Premium$1.99/month
  • AccuWeather Premium+$4.99/month

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Which should you pick?

Choose AccuWeather if

  • You need realfeel temperature.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want minutecast.
AccuWeather 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 AccuWeather or EPA AirNow better?
Neither clearly leads. AccuWeather 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, AccuWeather or EPA AirNow?
AccuWeather starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free.
Does AccuWeather or EPA AirNow run on more platforms?
AccuWeather runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS. EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use AccuWeather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AccuWeather best used for?
AccuWeather is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (minutecast), getting severe weather alerts and notifications, viewing extended daily/hourly forecasts for trip planning, building weather-driven features into third-party apps via the core weather api. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (minutecast) and getting severe weather alerts and notifications are not what EPA AirNow is typically brought in for.
What can AccuWeather do that EPA AirNow cannot?
AccuWeather covers RealFeel temperature, MinuteCast, 45-day forecasts, Severe weather alerts. EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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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