Softwr

Weather · head to head

Awair vs EPA AirNow

Awair logo

Awair

Weather

Smart indoor air quality monitor for healthy spaces

From
$149/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only EPA AirNow has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Awair a hardware purchase, with the Element at $299 before any software value; 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: Awair covers 5-factor monitoring, 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 Awair and EPA AirNow actually diverge.

Attributes where Awair and EPA AirNow differ
AttributeAwairEPA AirNow
Starting price$149/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, HardwareiOS, Android, Web
Founded20131970

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 Awair

  • 5-factor monitoring
  • Awair Score
  • Personalized tips
  • Historical trends
  • Smart displays
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • IFTTT

Only in EPA AirNow

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

What people use each for

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

Awair

  • Indoor air quality monitoring at homenot EPA AirNow
  • Tracking CO2, humidity, temperature, VOCs and particulatesnot EPA AirNow
  • Workplace air quality monitoring across a building with Omninot EPA AirNow
  • Correlating air quality with sleep or productivitynot EPA AirNow

EPA AirNow

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

Where each one falls short

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

Awair

  • A hardware purchase, with the Element at $299 before any software value
  • The consumer Element tracks 5 environmental factors against 7 on the business Omni
  • Business deployments run on subscriptions, and Omni pricing is not published

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

Awair

$149/one-time
  • Element$149/one-time
    • 5 air factors
    • Smart home integration
    • App access
  • Omni$299/one-time
    • Enterprise features
    • API access
    • Advanced analytics

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Awair if

  • You need 5-factor monitoring.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want awair score.
Awair 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 Awair or EPA AirNow better?
Neither clearly leads. Awair starts at $149/one-time and EPA AirNow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Awair or EPA AirNow?
EPA AirNow has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $149/one-time for Awair and Free for EPA AirNow.
Does Awair or EPA AirNow run on more platforms?
Awair runs on Ios, Android, Hardware. EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use EPA AirNow for free?
Yes. EPA AirNow has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Awair starts at $149/one-time.
What is Awair best used for?
Awair is most often used for indoor air quality monitoring at home, tracking co2, humidity, temperature, vocs and particulates, workplace air quality monitoring across a building with omni, correlating air quality with sleep or productivity. Of those, indoor air quality monitoring at home and tracking co2, humidity, temperature, vocs and particulates are not what EPA AirNow is typically brought in for.
What can Awair do that EPA AirNow cannot?
Awair covers 5-factor monitoring, Awair Score, Personalized tips, Historical trends. EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Awair: What are the current prices for Awair devices?

Awair Element is priced at $299 USD (£229 / €259 for UK/EU). Awair Omni pricing for business use is not displayed on the homepage.

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
Awair: What is the difference between Element and Omni models?

Element tracks 5 environmental factors for home use. Omni tracks 7 factors and is targeted at businesses to protect tenants, employees, and students.

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
Awair: Is there a trial or free access period before purchasing?

No trial is mentioned on the homepage. Users can download the free mobile app and set up devices within minutes after purchase.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Awair

More on EPA AirNow

Keep looking

Other head to heads