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IQAir vs Storm Radar

IQAir logo

IQAir

Software

Global air quality information and purification

From
$399/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Storm Radar logo

Storm Radar

Software

Advanced storm tracking from The Weather Channel

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Storm Radar 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; Storm Radar iOS-only at launch with Android support still pending
  • They diverge on capability: IQAir covers Global AQI data, Storm Radar covers Future radar.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IQAir and Storm Radar actually diverge.

Attributes where IQAir and Storm Radar differ
AttributeIQAirStorm Radar
Starting price$399/one-timeFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, HardwareiOS
Founded19631982

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 IQAir

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

Only in Storm Radar

  • Future radar
  • Storm tracking
  • Lightning detection
  • Hurricane tracker
  • Severe alerts
  • Weather Channel ecosystem
  • Smart devices

Both cover

  • 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 Storm Radar
  • Getting air quality forecasts for a locationnot Storm Radar
  • Remotely monitoring and controlling IQAir air purifiers from a smartphonenot Storm Radar
  • Integrating air quality/weather data into third-party apps via the AirVisual APInot Storm Radar
  • Tracking global air pollution using monitoring station datanot Storm Radar

Storm Radar

  • 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

Storm Radar

  • iOS-only at launch with Android support still pending
  • Premium subscription required for advanced features like future radar and custom alerts
  • Limited integration options with other weather or emergency alert services

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

Storm Radar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic weather radar
    • Real-time precipitation alerts
    • Severe weather warnings
  • Premium$3.99/month
    • Future radar (6-72 hours)
    • 30 advanced tracking features
    • AI Weather Assistant

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 Storm Radar if

  • You need future radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want storm tracking.
Storm Radar review

Questions people ask

Is IQAir or Storm Radar better?
Neither clearly leads. IQAir starts at $399/one-time and Storm Radar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IQAir or Storm Radar?
Storm Radar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $399/one-time for IQAir and Free for Storm Radar.
Does IQAir or Storm Radar run on more platforms?
IQAir runs on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware. Storm Radar runs on iOS.
Can I use Storm Radar for free?
Yes. Storm Radar 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 Storm Radar is typically brought in for.
What can IQAir do that Storm Radar cannot?
IQAir covers Global AQI data, City rankings, Health recommendations, Forecasts. Storm Radar covers Future radar, Storm tracking, Lightning detection, Hurricane tracker. Both handle 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
Storm Radar: How much does Storm Radar cost?

Storm Radar is free to download on iOS. Premium features cost $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year. The Weather Channel Premium Pro subscribers get all Storm Radar premium features for $4.99/month or $29.99/year.

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
Storm Radar: What platforms does Storm Radar support?

Storm Radar is currently available on iOS. An Android version is planned for future release.

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
Storm Radar: What storm tracking features does Storm Radar provide?

Storm Radar offers 6 hours of global future radar and up to 72 hours in the US, real-time precipitation alerts, NOAA severe weather warnings, lightning alerts, and up to 30 advanced tracking features for hurricanes, tornadoes, and other storms.

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
Storm Radar: Does Storm Radar include an AI Weather Assistant?

Yes, Storm Radar includes an AI-Powered Weather Assistant that provides personal meteorologist-level insights using generative AI to transform complex weather data into natural updates.

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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