Softwr

Software · head to head

EPA AirNow vs Ambient Weather Network

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Software

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ambient Weather Network logo

Ambient Weather Network

Software

Connect your weather station to the cloud

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; Ambient Weather Network the App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Ambient Weather Network differ
AttributeEPA AirNowAmbient Weather Network
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19702003

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 Ambient Weather Network

  • Cloud connectivity
  • Real-time data
  • Historical storage
  • Alerts
  • Public sharing
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • IFTTT

Both cover

  • Web 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 Ambient Weather Network
  • Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot Ambient Weather Network
  • Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not Ambient Weather Network
  • Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot Ambient Weather Network
  • Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot Ambient Weather Network

Ambient Weather Network

  • Professional Worknot EPA AirNow
  • Content Creationnot 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

Ambient Weather Network

  • The App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Ambient Weather Network

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Data upload
    • Dashboard
    • API access

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 Ambient Weather Network if

  • You need cloud connectivity.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want real-time data.
Ambient Weather Network review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Ambient Weather Network better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Ambient Weather Network at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Ambient Weather Network?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and Ambient Weather Network at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or Ambient Weather Network run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Ambient Weather Network runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Ambient Weather Network is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Ambient Weather Network cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, Real-time data, Historical storage, Alerts. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on EPA AirNow

More on Ambient Weather Network

Keep looking

Other head to heads