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Hello Weather vs PurpleAir

Hello Weather logo

Hello Weather

Weather

Simple beautiful weather with multiple sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PurpleAir logo

PurpleAir

Weather

Real-time air quality monitoring for communities

From
$229/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Hello Weather has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hello Weather limited features in free version compared to competitors with native rain alerts; PurpleAir purpleAir sensors are one-time hardware purchases rather than a subscription, priced $199 to $279 USD per unit for named models (PA-I-Indoor, PA-II, PA-II-SD), per the vendor's own store (archived, 2021).
  • They diverge on capability: Hello Weather covers Multiple data sources, PurpleAir covers PM2.5 monitoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hello Weather and PurpleAir actually diverge.

Attributes where Hello Weather and PurpleAir differ
AttributeHello WeatherPurpleAir
Starting priceFree$229/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOSWeb, Api, Hardware
Founded20162015

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 Hello Weather

  • Multiple data sources
  • Simple design
  • Comparison mode
  • Custom icons
  • Widgets
  • Apple Watch
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri shortcuts

Only in PurpleAir

  • PM2.5 monitoring
  • Real-time map
  • Historical data
  • Community network
  • API access
  • API access
  • Home Assistant
  • Data downloads

What people use each for

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

Hello Weather

  • Professional Work
  • Content Creation

PurpleAir

  • Professional Work
  • Content Creation

Both are used for professional work, content creation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Hello Weather

  • Limited features in free version compared to competitors with native rain alerts
  • Smaller development team means slower feature updates compared to enterprise weather apps
  • No native invoicing or team management for business use

PurpleAir

  • PurpleAir sensors are one-time hardware purchases rather than a subscription, priced $199 to $279 USD per unit for named models (PA-I-Indoor, PA-II, PA-II-SD), per the vendor's own store (archived, 2021).

Pricing, plan by plan

Hello Weather

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Current, hourly, daily forecasts
    • Multiple data source options
    • Dark mode
  • VIP$3/year
    • Home screen and lock screen widgets
    • Push notifications for precipitation
    • Apple Watch app

PurpleAir

$229/one-time
  • Outdoor Sensor$229/one-time
    • PM2.5 monitoring
    • Cloud connectivity
    • Map access
  • Indoor Sensor$199/one-time
    • Indoor monitoring
    • WiFi enabled
    • Real-time data

Which should you pick?

Choose Hello Weather if

  • You need multiple data sources.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOS.
  • You also want simple design.
Hello Weather review

Choose PurpleAir if

  • You need pm2.5 monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Api, Hardware.
  • You also want real-time map.
PurpleAir review

Questions people ask

Is Hello Weather or PurpleAir better?
Neither clearly leads. Hello Weather starts at Free and PurpleAir at $229/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hello Weather or PurpleAir?
Hello Weather has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hello Weather and $229/one-time for PurpleAir.
Does Hello Weather or PurpleAir run on more platforms?
Hello Weather runs on iOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOS. PurpleAir runs on Web, Api, Hardware.
Can I use Hello Weather for free?
Yes. Hello Weather has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PurpleAir starts at $229/one-time.
What is Hello Weather best used for?
Hello Weather is most often used for professional work, content creation.
What can Hello Weather do that PurpleAir cannot?
Hello Weather covers Multiple data sources, Simple design, Comparison mode, Custom icons. PurpleAir covers PM2.5 monitoring, Real-time map, Historical data, Community network.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hello Weather: What is Hello Weather's business model?

Hello Weather is free to download from the App Store with optional VIP membership. VIP costs $3 for one year, $5 for two years, or $7 for lifetime access.

Source
Hello Weather: What weather data sources does Hello Weather support?

Hello Weather supports multiple weather data sources including Apple Weather, AccuWeather, Foreca, OpenWeather, Pirate Weather, The Weather Company, Tomorrow.io, Visual Crossing, Weatherbit, and Xweather.

Source
Hello Weather: What platforms does Hello Weather support?

Hello Weather is available on iPhone, iPad, and Android. It includes Apple Watch app and complications, plus home screen and lock screen widgets.

Source
Hello Weather: Is Hello Weather an independent project?

Yes, Hello Weather is developed by indie developers Jonas Downey and Trevor as a side project. The team describes themselves as friends with day jobs who make the app for fun.

Source
Hello Weather: When was Hello Weather first launched?

Hello Weather was launched in 2016 and has achieved half a million downloads with thousands of paying VIP customers.

Source
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