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Weather & Environment · head to head

IQAir vs RainViewer

IQAir logo

IQAir

Weather & Environment

Global air quality information and purification

From
$399/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RainViewer logo

RainViewer

Weather & Environment

Global rain radar with accurate precipitation forecasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only RainViewer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: IQAir extremely expensive compared to competitors with similar particle filtration performance; RainViewer limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind
  • They diverge on capability: IQAir covers Global AQI data, RainViewer covers Global rain radar.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IQAir and RainViewer actually diverge.

Attributes where IQAir and RainViewer differ
AttributeIQAirRainViewer
Starting price$399/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, HardwareWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19632015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather & Environment).

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 IQAir

  • Global AQI data
  • City rankings
  • Health recommendations
  • Forecasts
  • Historical data
  • Mobile apps
  • Smart home
  • Api support

Only in RainViewer

  • Global rain radar
  • Smooth animations
  • 2-hour forecasts
  • Lightning data
  • Satellite imagery
  • Widgets
  • Notifications

Both cover

  • API access
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

IQAir

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

RainViewer

  • Professional Worknot IQAir
  • Content Creationnot IQAir

Where each one falls short

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

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

RainViewer

  • Limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind
  • Forecast window limited to 2 hours, not suitable for extended weather planning
  • Smaller global weather station network compared to national meteorological services
  • Limited historical weather data compared to competing weather platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

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

RainViewer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Global radar
    • Animations
    • Forecasts
  • Premium$2.99/month
    • No ads
    • API access
    • Extended history

Which should you pick?

Choose IQAir if

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

Choose RainViewer if

  • You need global rain radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want smooth animations.
RainViewer review

Questions people ask

Is IQAir or RainViewer better?
Neither clearly leads. IQAir starts at $399/one-time and RainViewer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IQAir or RainViewer?
RainViewer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $399/one-time for IQAir and Free for RainViewer.
Does IQAir or RainViewer run on more platforms?
IQAir runs on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware. RainViewer runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use RainViewer for free?
Yes. RainViewer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IQAir starts at $399/one-time.
What is IQAir best used for?
IQAir is most often used for checking real-time outdoor and indoor air quality (aqi, pm2.5, etc.) via the airvisual app, getting air quality forecasts for a location, remotely monitoring and controlling iqair air purifiers from a smartphone, integrating air quality/weather data into third-party apps via the airvisual api. Of those, checking real-time outdoor and indoor air quality (aqi, pm2.5, etc.) via the airvisual app and getting air quality forecasts for a location are not what RainViewer is typically brought in for.
What can IQAir do that RainViewer cannot?
IQAir covers Global AQI data, City rankings, Health recommendations, Forecasts. RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Smooth animations, 2-hour forecasts, Lightning data. Both handle API access, Web support, Ios support, Android 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
RainViewer: What weather data does RainViewer use?

RainViewer processes radar data from over 1,000 radar stations worldwide to provide precipitation forecasts with sub-kilometer accuracy updated every 5 minutes.

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
RainViewer: How far ahead can RainViewer forecast rain?

RainViewer provides 2-hour precipitation forecasts updated frequently throughout the day with hyperlocal predictions.

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
RainViewer: Is RainViewer available on all platforms?

RainViewer offers both a mobile app and web platform for accessing precipitation forecasts and radar data.

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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