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EPA AirNow vs Carrot Weather

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Software

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Carrot Weather logo

Carrot Weather

Software

Hilariously accurate weather app with personality

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; Carrot Weather most advanced weather data sources (AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Aeris Weather, Netatmo personal stations) and map layers (lightning, alerts, wind, humidity, dew point, snow depth) are locked behind paid Premium/Ultrapremium Club subscriptions, not included in the base app
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Carrot Weather covers Personality modes.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Carrot Weather differ
AttributeEPA AirNowCarrot Weather
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, macOS
Founded19702013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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
  • API
  • Web support

Only in Carrot Weather

  • Personality modes
  • Multiple data sources
  • Custom layouts
  • Secret locations
  • Snarky commentary
  • Apple Watch
  • Siri shortcuts
  • Ios support

Both cover

  • Widgets

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

Carrot Weather

  • Checking current, hourly, and daily weather forecasts with a humorous AI personalitynot EPA AirNow
  • Viewing radar, storm cell, and weather alert mapsnot EPA AirNow
  • Receiving push notifications for rain, lightning, or storm cells (premium)not EPA AirNow
  • Tracking historical weather data (up to 70 years back) or long-range forecasts via the 'weather time machine' featurenot EPA AirNow
  • Using Apple Watch complications/widgets for at-a-glance forecastsnot 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

Carrot Weather

  • Most advanced weather data sources (AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Aeris Weather, Netatmo personal stations) and map layers (lightning, alerts, wind, humidity, dew point, snow depth) are locked behind paid Premium/Ultrapremium Club subscriptions, not included in the base app
  • Background Apple Watch updates for premium data sources require an active subscription
  • Pricing for named tiers (Premium Club, Premium Ultra, Premium Family) is disclosed only via in-app purchase screens rather than a public pricing page with fixed dollar figures
  • Mac App Store listing shows a separate $14.99 one-time purchase price for macOS, a different pricing model than the free-to-download iOS/Android version

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Carrot Weather

Free
  • Premium Club$undefined/mo
    • Additional data sources and map layers
  • Ultrapremium Club$undefined/mo
    • Full data sources, map layers, notifications
  • Premium Family$undefined/mo
    • Shares Premium/Ultrapremium across up to 5 family members

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 Carrot Weather if

  • You need personality modes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want multiple data sources.
Carrot Weather review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Carrot Weather better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Carrot Weather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Carrot Weather?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and Carrot Weather at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or Carrot Weather run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Carrot Weather runs on iOS, Android, macOS.
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 Carrot Weather is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Carrot Weather cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Carrot Weather covers Personality modes, Multiple data sources, Custom layouts, Secret locations. Both handle Widgets.
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