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EPA AirNow vs Storm Radar

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Storm Radar logo

Storm Radar

Weather

Advanced storm tracking from The Weather Channel

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; Storm Radar iOS-only at launch with Android support still pending
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Storm Radar covers Future radar.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and Storm Radar actually diverge.

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Storm Radar differ
AttributeEPA AirNowStorm Radar
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebiOS
Founded19701982

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Storm Radar

  • Future radar
  • Storm tracking
  • Lightning detection
  • Hurricane tracker
  • Severe alerts
  • Weather Channel ecosystem
  • Smart devices
  • Ios 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 Storm Radar
  • Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot Storm Radar
  • Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not Storm Radar
  • Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot Storm Radar
  • Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot Storm Radar

Storm Radar

  • 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

Storm Radar

  • iOS-only at launch with Android support still pending
  • Premium subscription required for advanced features like future radar and custom alerts
  • Limited integration options with other weather or emergency alert services

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Storm Radar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic weather radar
    • Real-time precipitation alerts
    • Severe weather warnings
  • Premium$3.99/month
    • Future radar (6-72 hours)
    • 30 advanced tracking features
    • AI Weather Assistant

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 Storm Radar if

  • You need future radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want storm tracking.
Storm Radar review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Storm Radar better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Storm Radar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Storm Radar?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and Storm Radar at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or Storm Radar run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Storm Radar runs on iOS.
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 Storm Radar is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Storm Radar cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Storm Radar covers Future radar, Storm tracking, Lightning detection, Hurricane tracker.

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
Storm Radar: How much does Storm Radar cost?

Storm Radar is free to download on iOS. Premium features cost $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year. The Weather Channel Premium Pro subscribers get all Storm Radar premium features for $4.99/month or $29.99/year.

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
Storm Radar: What platforms does Storm Radar support?

Storm Radar is currently available on iOS. An Android version is planned for future release.

Source
Storm Radar: What storm tracking features does Storm Radar provide?

Storm Radar offers 6 hours of global future radar and up to 72 hours in the US, real-time precipitation alerts, NOAA severe weather warnings, lightning alerts, and up to 30 advanced tracking features for hurricanes, tornadoes, and other storms.

Source
Storm Radar: Does Storm Radar include an AI Weather Assistant?

Yes, Storm Radar includes an AI-Powered Weather Assistant that provides personal meteorologist-level insights using generative AI to transform complex weather data into natural updates.

Source
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