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EPA AirNow vs MyRadar

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MyRadar logo

MyRadar

Weather

Fast animated weather radar at your fingertips

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: EPA AirNow air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough; MyRadar rain and storm time predictions are inaccurate approximately 60 percent of the time according to user reports
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, MyRadar covers Animated radar.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and MyRadar actually diverge.

Attributes where EPA AirNow and MyRadar differ
AttributeEPA AirNowMyRadar
Pricing modelfreefreemium
Founded19702012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android, Web), 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 EPA AirNow

  • Official AQI data
  • Air quality forecasts
  • Fire & smoke data
  • Health recommendations
  • API access
  • Data feeds
  • Widgets
  • API

Only in MyRadar

  • Animated radar
  • Fast loading
  • Hurricane tracking
  • Flight tracking
  • Weather layers
  • Apple Watch
  • CarPlay
  • Android Auto

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

EPA AirNow

  • Checking current Air Quality Index (AQI) for a location or any searched areanot MyRadar
  • Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot MyRadar
  • Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not MyRadar
  • Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot MyRadar
  • Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot MyRadar

MyRadar

  • Professional Worknot EPA AirNow
  • Content Creationnot EPA AirNow

Where each one falls short

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

EPA AirNow

  • Air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
  • Interactive monitor map (PM2.5, PM10, ozone) coverage documented on the primary source is U.S.-focused
  • As a government-run service it offers no paid tiers, proprietary data sources, or customization options found in commercial weather/air-quality apps

MyRadar

  • Rain and storm time predictions are inaccurate approximately 60 percent of the time according to user reports
  • Radar coverage is limited to areas with land-based radar sites
  • Only supports weather alerts for USA and Australia, not international coverage

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

MyRadar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Radar animation
    • Location tracking
    • Alerts
  • Premium$4.99/year
    • No ads
    • Hurricane tracker
    • Extended features

Which should you pick?

Choose EPA AirNow if

  • You need official aqi data.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want air quality forecasts.
EPA AirNow review

Choose MyRadar if

  • You need animated radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want fast loading.
MyRadar review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or MyRadar better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and MyRadar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or MyRadar?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and MyRadar at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or MyRadar run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. MyRadar runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use EPA AirNow for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is EPA AirNow best used for?
EPA AirNow is most often used for checking current air quality index (aqi) for a location or any searched area, viewing next-day aqi forecasts to plan outdoor activities, monitoring wildfire smoke via the fire and smoke map (built with the u.s. forest service), saving multiple locations for quick reference. Of those, checking current air quality index (aqi) for a location or any searched area and viewing next-day aqi forecasts to plan outdoor activities are not what MyRadar is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that MyRadar cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. MyRadar covers Animated radar, Fast loading, Hurricane tracking, Flight tracking. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

EPA AirNow: Is AirNow.gov free to use?

Yes. AirNow.gov is a free service operated by the EPA and its partners that provides air quality data, forecasts, maps, and educational resources at no cost to users.

Source
MyRadar: Does MyRadar work internationally?

MyRadar provides radar coverage in the USA and Australia. Weather watches and warnings for countries other than Australia and the USA cannot be viewed in the app.

Source
EPA AirNow: Are there any subscription costs or fees associated with AirNow.gov?

No. AirNow.gov offers all services, data access, and tools completely free. There are no subscription tiers, fees, or payment options of any kind.

Source
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