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exactEarth vs IQAir

exactEarth logo

exactEarth

Software

Advanced satellite AIS data services

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IQAir logo

IQAir

Software

Global air quality information and purification

From
$399/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: exactEarth exactEarth's own homepage, as captured by the Internet Archive on 28 December 2021, carried a banner stating: 'We are happy to announce that exactEarth is now part of Spire Global,' confirming in the vendor's own words that exactEarth was absorbed into Spire (now sold as Kpler's spireMT product); no independent exactEarth pricing survives; IQAir extremely expensive compared to competitors with similar particle filtration performance
  • They diverge on capability: exactEarth covers Satellite AIS data, IQAir covers Global AQI data.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which exactEarth and IQAir actually diverge.

Attributes where exactEarth and IQAir differ
AttributeexactEarthIQAir
Starting price$1000/month$399/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsApi, WebWeb, iOS, Android, Hardware
Founded20091963

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 exactEarth

  • Satellite AIS data
  • Global vessel tracking
  • Historical data archive
  • Anomaly detection
  • API
  • Data feeds
  • GIS platforms

Only in IQAir

  • Global AQI data
  • City rankings
  • Health recommendations
  • Forecasts
  • Historical data
  • API access
  • Mobile apps
  • Smart home

Both cover

  • Api support
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

exactEarth

No use cases recorded yet. See the exactEarth review.

IQAir

  • Checking real-time outdoor and indoor air quality (AQI, PM2.5, etc.) via the AirVisual appnot exactEarth
  • Getting air quality forecasts for a locationnot exactEarth
  • Remotely monitoring and controlling IQAir air purifiers from a smartphonenot exactEarth
  • Integrating air quality/weather data into third-party apps via the AirVisual APInot exactEarth
  • Tracking global air pollution using monitoring station datanot exactEarth

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

exactEarth

  • exactEarth's own homepage, as captured by the Internet Archive on 28 December 2021, carried a banner stating: 'We are happy to announce that exactEarth is now part of Spire Global,' confirming in the vendor's own words that exactEarth was absorbed into Spire (now sold as Kpler's spireMT product); no independent exactEarth pricing survives

IQAir

  • Extremely expensive compared to competitors with similar particle filtration performance
  • Energy inefficient motors consume 215W at comparable CFM to cheaper models
  • Limited sensor specificity for users with specific allergies or respiratory concerns
  • Bulky design and outdated appearance unsuitable for modern interior design
  • Replacement filters are very expensive at $199.99 with high ongoing costs

Pricing, plan by plan

exactEarth

$1000/month
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Global AIS data
    • Historical archive
    • Custom analytics

IQAir

$399/one-time
  • Atem Desk$399/one-time
    • Portable desktop air purifier
    • Small room coverage
  • Atem Eco$799.99/one-time
    • Smart air purification
    • Most affordable smart model
    • Released June 2026
  • Atem X$1399/one-time
    • Premium smart purifier
    • Large room coverage
    • Advanced filtration
  • HealthPro Plus$949/one-time
    • Medical-grade HyperHEPA filtration
    • Large room coverage
    • Gas and particle filtration

Which should you pick?

Choose exactEarth if

  • You need satellite ais data.
  • You work on Api, Web.
  • You also want global vessel tracking.
exactEarth review

Choose IQAir if

  • You need global aqi data.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want city rankings.
IQAir review

Questions people ask

Is exactEarth or IQAir better?
Neither clearly leads. exactEarth starts at $1000/month and IQAir at $399/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, exactEarth or IQAir?
exactEarth starts at $1000/month and IQAir at $399/one-time.
Does exactEarth or IQAir run on more platforms?
exactEarth runs on Api, Web. IQAir runs on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware.
What can exactEarth do that IQAir cannot?
exactEarth covers Satellite AIS data, Global vessel tracking, Historical data archive, Anomaly detection. IQAir covers Global AQI data, City rankings, Health recommendations, Forecasts. Both handle Api support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

IQAir: What does IQAir do?

IQAir is a Swiss company providing two main services: air purification hardware (home and commercial air purifiers and filters) and air quality monitoring (real-time global air quality data from 80,000+ sensors worldwide, accessible via the AirVisual app and IQAir.com).

Source
IQAir: How much do IQAir air purifiers cost?

IQAir air purifiers range from $399 for portable Atem models to $949 for the HealthPro Plus. The new Atem Eco model is $799.99. Replacement filters cost $199.99 and last 1-4 years depending on usage.

Source
IQAir: What real-time air quality data does IQAir provide?

IQAir provides real-time air quality data covering 500,000+ locations in 100+ countries, integrating data from government monitoring stations and 80,000+ IQAir-validated sensors. The platform measures PM2.5, PM10, and AQI for each location.

Source
IQAir: Does IQAir have a mobile app?

Yes. IQAir's AirVisual app is available on iOS and Android, providing real-time air quality information, AQI rankings, health recommendations, and remote control of IQAir smart air purifiers.

Source
IQAir: Is IQAir affordable compared to other air purifiers?

No. IQAir air purifiers are significantly more expensive than alternatives. The HealthPro Plus at $900 offers similar particle filtering to the Winix 5500-2 at $300. Higher cost is primarily due to superior gas filtration but poor overall value for most users.

Source
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