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EPA AirNow vs Awair

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Software

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Awair logo

Awair

Software

Smart indoor air quality monitor for healthy spaces

From
$149/one-time
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: 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; Awair a hardware purchase, with the Element at $299 before any software value
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Awair covers 5-factor monitoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and Awair actually diverge.

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Awair differ
AttributeEPA AirNowAwair
Starting priceFree$149/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebIos, Android, Hardware
Founded19702013

Identical on both: 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 Awair

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

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 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

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

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

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 Awair if

  • You need 5-factor monitoring.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want awair score.
Awair review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Awair better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Awair at $149/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Awair?
EPA AirNow has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for EPA AirNow and $149/one-time for Awair.
Does EPA AirNow or Awair run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Awair runs on Ios, Android, Hardware.
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 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 Awair is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Awair cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Awair covers 5-factor monitoring, Awair Score, Personalized tips, Historical trends.
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