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Hello Weather vs Weathernews Inc

Hello Weather logo

Hello Weather

Weather

Simple beautiful weather with multiple sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Weathernews Inc logo

Weathernews Inc

Weather

Global weather solutions for shipping

From
$600/month
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; Weathernews Inc primarily Japan-based with headquarters in Chiba, may have lower coverage in certain regional markets outside Asia
  • They diverge on capability: Hello Weather covers Multiple data sources, Weathernews Inc covers Optimum ship routing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hello Weather and Weathernews Inc actually diverge.

Attributes where Hello Weather and Weathernews Inc differ
AttributeHello WeatherWeathernews Inc
Starting priceFree$600/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOSWeb, Api, Mobile
Founded20161986

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 Weathernews Inc

  • Optimum ship routing
  • Weather forecasting
  • Voyage planning
  • Risk assessment
  • Fleet management
  • Bridge systems
  • Navigation software
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Hello Weather

  • Professional Worknot Weathernews Inc
  • Content Creationnot Weathernews Inc

Weathernews Inc

  • Optimizing cargo ship navigation with real-time maritime weather forecastsnot Hello Weather
  • Supporting offshore wind farm operations with 24-hour weather monitoringnot Hello Weather
  • Providing exclusive wind data for commercial drone flight planningnot Hello Weather
  • Routing emergency medical helicopters in Japan with weather intelligencenot Hello Weather

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

Weathernews Inc

  • Primarily Japan-based with headquarters in Chiba, may have lower coverage in certain regional markets outside Asia
  • Marine weather data and aviation services are newer offerings compared to core weather forecasting capabilities
  • Competition from established European weather services in maritime sector

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

Weathernews Inc

$600/month
  • Optimum Routing$1500/month
    • Weather routing
    • Voyage optimization
    • 24/7 support

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 Weathernews Inc if

  • You need optimum ship routing.
  • You work on Web, Api, Mobile.
  • You also want weather forecasting.
Weathernews Inc review

Questions people ask

Is Hello Weather or Weathernews Inc better?
Neither clearly leads. Hello Weather starts at Free and Weathernews Inc at $600/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hello Weather or Weathernews Inc?
Hello Weather has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hello Weather and $600/month for Weathernews Inc.
Does Hello Weather or Weathernews Inc run on more platforms?
Hello Weather runs on iOS, iPadOS, Android, watchOS. Weathernews Inc runs on Web, Api, Mobile.
Can I use Hello Weather for free?
Yes. Hello Weather has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Weathernews Inc starts at $600/month.
What is Hello Weather best used for?
Hello Weather is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what Weathernews Inc is typically brought in for.
What can Hello Weather do that Weathernews Inc cannot?
Hello Weather covers Multiple data sources, Simple design, Comparison mode, Custom icons. Weathernews Inc covers Optimum ship routing, Weather forecasting, Voyage planning, Risk assessment.

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
Weathernews Inc: Does Weathernews provide marine weather data?

Yes. Weathernews provides wind, wave, current, sea ice, and typhoon information for global marine operations through its SeaNavigator platform, which launched SeaNavigator for Master in December 2025 with AI-assisted operations support.

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
Weathernews Inc: What marine weather products does Weathernews offer?

Weathernews offers SeaNavigator Marine Weather Service, SeaNavigator for Master with conversational AI for captains, and marine data for Middle East waters made available free of charge in April 2026.

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
Weathernews Inc: Does Weathernews serve the aviation industry?

Yes. Weathernews expanded aviation services with the December 2025 launch of SkyAviators, offering Global Aviation Weather Intelligence with turbulence risk assessments and takeoff/landing feasibility judgments for airports worldwide.

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
Weathernews Inc: What was Weathernews founded in response to?

Weathernews was founded on June 11, 1986 by Hiro Ishibashi in response to a tragic maritime disaster where a cargo vessel sank at the port of Onahama, Japan with 15 crew members lost, demonstrating the need for better weather information.

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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