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EPA AirNow vs OpenWeatherMap

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Software

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

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; OpenWeatherMap free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where EPA AirNow and OpenWeatherMap differ
AttributeEPA AirNowOpenWeatherMap
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded19702017

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

Only in OpenWeatherMap

  • Weather API
  • Current conditions
  • Forecasts
  • Historical data
  • Weather maps
  • REST API
  • JSON format

Both cover

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

OpenWeatherMap

  • Embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websitesnot EPA AirNow
  • Pulling historical and statistical weather data for researchnot EPA AirNow
  • Displaying weather map overlays (precipitation, clouds, etc.) via the Weather Maps APInot EPA AirNow
  • Monitoring air pollution levels via the Air Pollution APInot EPA AirNow
  • Geocoding locations for weather lookupsnot 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

OpenWeatherMap

  • Free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month
  • Free tier limited to current weather, 3-hour/5-day forecast, air pollution, 15 map layers, and geocoding only
  • One Call API free allowance is only 1,000 calls/day before pay-per-call charges apply
  • Paid tier (Startup, Developer, Professional, Expert) exact USD prices are not published on the public pricing page

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

OpenWeatherMap

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 60 calls/min
    • 1,000,000 calls/month
    • current weather, 3-hr/5-day forecast, air pollution, 15 map layers, geocoding

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 OpenWeatherMap if

  • You need weather api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want current conditions.
OpenWeatherMap review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or OpenWeatherMap better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and OpenWeatherMap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or OpenWeatherMap?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and OpenWeatherMap at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or OpenWeatherMap run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. OpenWeatherMap runs on Web.
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 OpenWeatherMap is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that OpenWeatherMap cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. Both handle Widgets, Web support, Api support.
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