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Weather · head to head

EPA AirNow vs Tomorrow.io

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tomorrow.io logo

Tomorrow.io

Weather

Weather intelligence platform for business decisions

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; Tomorrow.io no transparent pricing displayed on marketing website
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Tomorrow.io covers Minute-by-minute forecasts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and Tomorrow.io actually diverge.

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Tomorrow.io differ
AttributeEPA AirNowTomorrow.io
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb API
Founded19702016

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 Tomorrow.io

  • Minute-by-minute forecasts
  • Weather API
  • Road conditions
  • Air quality
  • Pollen data
  • REST API
  • Webhooks
  • Enterprise systems

Both cover

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

Tomorrow.io

  • Real-time weather data for mobile applicationsnot EPA AirNow
  • Enterprise weather risk managementnot EPA AirNow
  • Fleet management and routing optimizationnot EPA AirNow
  • Agricultural decision-making systemsnot EPA AirNow
  • Supply chain planningnot 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

Tomorrow.io

  • No transparent pricing displayed on marketing website
  • Requires contacting sales for enterprise platform demos
  • Free tier limited to Weather API with usage restrictions
  • Custom pricing model makes budget planning difficult for prospective customers

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Tomorrow.io

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tomorrow.io review.

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 Tomorrow.io if

  • You need minute-by-minute forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web API.
  • You also want weather api.
Tomorrow.io review

Questions people ask

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

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
Tomorrow.io: Does Tomorrow.io offer free access?

Yes, Tomorrow.io offers a free Weather API tier for development and limited production use. Access the free tier by signing up at app.tomorrow.io/signup.

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
Tomorrow.io: How much do Tomorrow.io enterprise solutions cost?

Tomorrow.io does not publish specific enterprise pricing. Customers must contact sales or request a demo to receive custom quotes for their platform suites (Shield, Forge, GroundControl, Altitude, Gridline).

Source
Tomorrow.io: What platforms does Tomorrow.io offer?

Tomorrow.io offers weather data via its free API, plus enterprise platforms including Shield for risk management, Forge for operations, GroundControl for aviation, Altitude for advanced analytics, Gridline for utilities, and Trackline for transportation.

Source
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