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EPA AirNow vs Aeris Weather

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Software

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aeris Weather logo

Aeris Weather

Software

Powerful weather API with mapping solutions

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Aeris Weather aerisWeather now sells as Xweather under Vaisala
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Aeris Weather covers Weather API.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Aeris Weather differ
AttributeEPA AirNowAeris Weather
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebApi, Web, Mobile
Founded19702011

Identical on both: starting price (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 EPA AirNow

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

Only in Aeris Weather

  • Weather API
  • Interactive maps
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Tropical data
  • Historical records
  • REST API
  • Mapping SDKs
  • Mobile SDKs

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

EPA AirNow

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

Aeris Weather

  • Adding weather data to an application through a REST APInot EPA AirNow
  • Rendering weather map layers with the MapsGL SDKnot EPA AirNow
  • High volume weather data feeds for commercial forecasting productsnot EPA AirNow

Where each one falls short

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

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

Aeris Weather

  • AerisWeather now sells as Xweather under Vaisala
  • The free Developer tier is capped at 15,000 API accesses per month and the service pauses once the limit is reached
  • The Developer tier gets community support only
  • The self-serve paid subscription is EUR 300 per month for 1,000,000 accesses per month
  • Anything beyond 1,000,000 accesses per month requires contacting sales for a custom arrangement
  • Dedicated support and custom SLA guarantees are enterprise only
  • Free tier usage resets on the account creation date rather than the calendar month

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Aeris Weather

Free
  • DeveloperFree
    • 1,000 calls/day
    • Basic data
    • Maps
  • Professional$100/month
    • Unlimited calls
    • All data
    • Premium support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Aeris Weather if

  • You need weather api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want interactive maps.
Aeris Weather review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Aeris Weather better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Aeris Weather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Aeris Weather?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and Aeris Weather at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or Aeris Weather run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Aeris Weather runs on Api, Web, Mobile.
Can I use EPA AirNow for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is EPA AirNow best used for?
EPA AirNow is most often used for checking current air quality index (aqi) for a location or any searched area, viewing next-day aqi forecasts to plan outdoor activities, monitoring wildfire smoke via the fire and smoke map (built with the u.s. forest service), saving multiple locations for quick reference. Of those, checking current air quality index (aqi) for a location or any searched area and viewing next-day aqi forecasts to plan outdoor activities are not what Aeris Weather is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Aeris Weather cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Aeris Weather covers Weather API, Interactive maps, Severe weather alerts, Tropical data. Both handle Web support, Api support.
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