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EPA AirNow vs Plume Labs

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Plume Labs logo

Plume Labs

Weather

Personal air quality tracking and forecasting

From
$179/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; Plume Labs plume Labs states on its own site that the Flow and Flow 2 hardware are no longer available for purchase, while the Plume Labs App and the Plume API continue to operate
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Plume Labs covers Personal air sensor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and Plume Labs actually diverge.

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Plume Labs differ
AttributeEPA AirNowPlume Labs
Starting priceFree$179/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebIos, Android, Hardware
Founded19702014

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 EPA AirNow

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

Only in Plume Labs

  • Personal air sensor
  • Real-time tracking
  • Exposure insights
  • Route suggestions
  • Health tips
  • Mobile app
  • Fitness trackers
  • Smart home

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

Plume Labs

  • 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

Plume Labs

  • Plume Labs states on its own site that the Flow and Flow 2 hardware are no longer available for purchase, while the Plume Labs App and the Plume API continue to operate

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Plume Labs

$179/one-time
  • Flow 2$179/one-time
    • Personal sensor
    • Real-time tracking
    • App 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 Plume Labs if

  • You need personal air sensor.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want real-time tracking.
Plume Labs review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Plume Labs better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Plume Labs at $179/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Plume Labs?
EPA AirNow has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for EPA AirNow and $179/one-time for Plume Labs.
Does EPA AirNow or Plume Labs run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Plume Labs 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. Plume Labs starts at $179/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 Plume Labs is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Plume Labs cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Plume Labs covers Personal air sensor, Real-time tracking, Exposure insights, Route suggestions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Plume Labs: Is the Flow 2 air quality sensor still available for purchase?

No. Plume Labs discontinued the Flow 2 hardware in Spring 2023. It is no longer for sale.

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
Plume Labs: What air quality products does Plume Labs currently offer?

Plume Labs now offers the Plume Labs App for air quality forecasts and the Plume API for business data solutions. Specific pricing for these services is not disclosed on the website.

Source
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