Weather · head to head
EPA AirNow vs Zoom Earth
Zoom Earth
Weather
Free browser-based satellite weather and storm tracking, no account or install
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; Zoom Earth there are no push notifications or alerts, so it cannot warn you proactively the way a mobile weather app can.
- They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Zoom Earth covers Global satellite view.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and Zoom Earth actually diverge.
| Attribute | EPA AirNow | Zoom Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | Free, no account required |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | Web |
| Founded | 1970 | Unknown |
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 Zoom Earth
- Global satellite view
- Storm tracking
- MODIS high resolution
- Historical imagery
- Precipitation radar overlay
- No install required
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 Zoom Earth
- Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot Zoom Earth
- Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not Zoom Earth
- Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot Zoom Earth
- Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot Zoom Earth
Zoom Earth
- Watching a hurricane or typhoon track develop without installing an appnot EPA AirNow
- A quick global satellite check before deciding whether a local forecast app is worth openingnot EPA AirNow
- Journalists or researchers needing a citable, no-login satellite view of a weather eventnot EPA AirNow
- Comparing current satellite imagery against archived imagery from years earlier for the same regionnot 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
Zoom Earth
- There are no push notifications or alerts, so it cannot warn you proactively the way a mobile weather app can.
- It has no offline mode, so it is unusable without an internet connection, unlike apps that cache forecasts.
- Forecasting is minimal; it shows what the satellites and radar currently see rather than a detailed hyperlocal forecast.
- Being free and unaccountable to a paying customer base, there is no committed support channel if the site or a data feed goes down.
- The browser-only interface is less convenient for quick daily checks than a home-screen app icon with widgets.
Pricing, plan by plan
EPA AirNow
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.
Zoom Earth
Free- Zoom EarthFree
- Full satellite and storm tracking access
- No account, no ads-gated tier
- No offline mode or push alerts
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.
Choose Zoom Earth if
- You need global satellite view.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want storm tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is EPA AirNow or Zoom Earth better?
- Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Zoom Earth at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Zoom Earth?
- EPA AirNow starts at Free and Zoom Earth at Free.
- Does EPA AirNow or Zoom Earth run on more platforms?
- EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Zoom Earth 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 Zoom Earth is typically brought in for.
- What can EPA AirNow do that Zoom Earth cannot?
- EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Zoom Earth covers Global satellite view, Storm tracking, MODIS high resolution, Historical imagery.
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.
SourceZoom Earth: Do I need to create an account?
No. Zoom Earth works without registration or login.
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.
SourceZoom Earth: Is there a mobile app?
No, it is a responsive website that works in mobile browsers rather than a native app.
Zoom Earth: How current is the imagery?
Geostationary imagery updates roughly every 10 to 15 minutes; higher-resolution MODIS imagery updates about twice a day.
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