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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs NOAA Weather Radar Live

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
N

NOAA Weather Radar Live

Weather

Live NOAA radar with storm alerts and tracking

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased; NOAA Weather Radar Live limited to NOAA data sources in United States
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, NOAA Weather Radar Live covers NOAA radar data.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and NOAA Weather Radar Live actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and NOAA Weather Radar Live differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)NOAA Weather Radar Live
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsiOS, macOSiOS, Android
Founded20112010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Minute-by-minute precipitation
  • Next-hour forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch

Only in NOAA Weather Radar Live

  • NOAA radar data
  • Storm tracking
  • Precipitation maps
  • Severe alerts
  • Satellite imagery
  • NOAA data feeds
  • NWS warnings
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot NOAA Weather Radar Live
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot NOAA Weather Radar Live
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot NOAA Weather Radar Live
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot NOAA Weather Radar Live

NOAA Weather Radar Live

  • Professional Worknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Content Creationnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Where each one falls short

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

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
  • Apple Weather has no public pricing/API tier of its own comparable to the old Dark Sky API, developers must use Apple's separate WeatherKit product instead
  • Apple Weather (the consumer app) is limited to Apple's own platforms; it is not available on Android or Windows

NOAA Weather Radar Live

  • Limited to NOAA data sources in United States

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather features
    • Minute-by-minute rain
    • Severe alerts

NOAA Weather Radar Live

Free
  • FreeFree
    • NOAA radar
    • Forecasts
    • Basic alerts
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • HD radar
    • No ads
    • Extended features

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Weather (Dark Sky) if

  • You need minute-by-minute precipitation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS.
  • You also want next-hour forecasts.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Choose NOAA Weather Radar Live if

  • You need noaa radar data.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want storm tracking.
NOAA Weather Radar Live review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or NOAA Weather Radar Live better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and NOAA Weather Radar Live at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or NOAA Weather Radar Live?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and NOAA Weather Radar Live at Free.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or NOAA Weather Radar Live run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. NOAA Weather Radar Live runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) best used for?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch, viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, viewing high-resolution precipitation radar maps, receiving severe weather notifications. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch and viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days are not what NOAA Weather Radar Live is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that NOAA Weather Radar Live cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. NOAA Weather Radar Live covers NOAA radar data, Storm tracking, Precipitation maps, Severe alerts. Both handle Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): Is Dark Sky still available as a standalone service?

No. Dark Sky is no longer a standalone service. The Dark Sky API was discontinued on March 31, 2023, and replaced by Apple's WeatherKit API. Apple integrated Dark Sky's features into its native Weather app.

Source
NOAA Weather Radar Live: What does the Clime app do?

Clime (formerly NOAA Weather Radar Live) is a weather radar app that displays real-time NOAA radar data with precipitation alerts, satellite maps showing cloud cover, and push notifications for severe weather including hurricanes and tornadoes.

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What features from Dark Sky are now in Apple Weather?

Apple Weather includes hyperlocal forecasts down to 0.001° precision, next-hour precipitation forecasts with charts and maps, extended hourly forecasts for 10 days, high-resolution weather maps with precipitation and air quality overlays, and government-issued severe weather alerts.

Source
NOAA Weather Radar Live: Is the app free?

Clime offers both free and premium versions, with the free version providing basic radar and weather features, and premium features available through in-app purchases.

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What API replaced Dark Sky's API?

Developers who used Dark Sky API can now use Apple's WeatherKit API, which works across multiple platforms and replaces the deprecated Dark Sky API.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What versions of Apple OS support the new Weather features?

Apple Weather with the new features is accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura or newer, available through the App Store.

Source
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