Software · head to head
IQAir vs Tomorrow.io
IQAir
Software
Global air quality information and purification
- From
- $399/one-time
- Rated
- -
Tomorrow.io
Software
Weather intelligence platform for business decisions
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Tomorrow.io 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; Tomorrow.io free plan limited to 5-day forecast, 24 hours of historical data, 1 monitored location, and 1 weather alert
- They diverge on capability: IQAir covers Global AQI data, Tomorrow.io covers Minute-by-minute forecasts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which IQAir and Tomorrow.io actually diverge.
| Attribute | IQAir | Tomorrow.io |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $399/one-time | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Hardware | Web API |
| Founded | 1963 | 2016 |
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 Tomorrow.io
- Minute-by-minute forecasts
- Weather API
- Road conditions
- Air quality
- Pollen data
- REST API
- Webhooks
- Enterprise systems
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
- Api 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 Tomorrow.io
- Getting air quality forecasts for a locationnot Tomorrow.io
- Remotely monitoring and controlling IQAir air purifiers from a smartphonenot Tomorrow.io
- Integrating air quality/weather data into third-party apps via the AirVisual APInot Tomorrow.io
- Tracking global air pollution using monitoring station datanot Tomorrow.io
Tomorrow.io
- Weather prediction API for operational risk management across industriesnot IQAir
- Industry-specific weather AI agents for insurance, aviation, energy, logistics, and manufacturingnot 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
Tomorrow.io
- Free plan limited to 5-day forecast, 24 hours of historical data, 1 monitored location, and 1 weather alert
- Premium data layers (air quality, pollen, solar, lightning) available only on Enterprise plans
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
Tomorrow.io
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Tomorrow.io review.
Which should you pick?
Choose IQAir if
- You need global aqi data.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware.
- You also want city rankings.
Choose Tomorrow.io if
- You need minute-by-minute forecasts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web API.
- You also want weather api.
Questions people ask
- Is IQAir or Tomorrow.io better?
- Neither clearly leads. IQAir starts at $399/one-time and Tomorrow.io at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, IQAir or Tomorrow.io?
- Tomorrow.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $399/one-time for IQAir and Free for Tomorrow.io.
- Does IQAir or Tomorrow.io run on more platforms?
- IQAir runs on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware. Tomorrow.io runs on Web API.
- Can I use Tomorrow.io for free?
- Yes. Tomorrow.io 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 Tomorrow.io is typically brought in for.
- What can IQAir do that Tomorrow.io cannot?
- IQAir covers Global AQI data, City rankings, Health recommendations, Forecasts. Tomorrow.io covers Minute-by-minute forecasts, Weather API, Road conditions, Air quality. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support, Api 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).
SourceIQAir: 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.
SourceIQAir: 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.
SourceIQAir: 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.
SourceIQAir: 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Tomorrow.io
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