Software · head to head
OpenWeatherMap vs AirVisual
OpenWeatherMap
Software
Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OpenWeatherMap free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month; AirVisual outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage
- They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and AirVisual actually diverge.
| Attribute | OpenWeatherMap | AirVisual |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Web | Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2017 | 2015 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 OpenWeatherMap
- Weather API
- Current conditions
- Forecasts
- Weather maps
- REST API
- JSON format
- Api support
Only in AirVisual
- Global AQI coverage
- 3-day forecasts
- Health recommendations
- City rankings
- Apple Watch
- Smart displays
- Ios support
- Android support
Both cover
- Historical data
- Widgets
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
OpenWeatherMap
- Embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websitesnot AirVisual
- Pulling historical and statistical weather data for researchnot AirVisual
- Displaying weather map overlays (precipitation, clouds, etc.) via the Weather Maps APInot AirVisual
- Monitoring air pollution levels via the Air Pollution APInot AirVisual
- Geocoding locations for weather lookupsnot AirVisual
AirVisual
- Checking local air quality and PM2.5 levelsnot OpenWeatherMap
- Seven day air quality forecastsnot OpenWeatherMap
- Health guidance based on current pollutionnot OpenWeatherMap
- Comparing indoor and outdoor air with an IQAir monitornot OpenWeatherMap
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
OpenWeatherMap
- Free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month
- Free tier limited to current weather, 3-hour/5-day forecast, air pollution, 15 map layers, and geocoding only
- One Call API free allowance is only 1,000 calls/day before pay-per-call charges apply
- Paid tier (Startup, Developer, Professional, Expert) exact USD prices are not published on the public pricing page
AirVisual
- Outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage
- Indoor measurement needs an IQAir AirVisual monitor bought separately
- The app pages do not state what, if anything, costs money
Pricing, plan by plan
OpenWeatherMap
Free- FreeFree
- 60 calls/min
- 1,000,000 calls/month
- current weather, 3-hr/5-day forecast, air pollution, 15 map layers, geocoding
AirVisual
Free- FreeFree
- Global AQI data
- Forecasts
- Health tips
- Pro$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Historical data
- Widgets
Which should you pick?
Choose OpenWeatherMap if
- You need weather api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want current conditions.
Choose AirVisual if
- You need global aqi coverage.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want 3-day forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is OpenWeatherMap or AirVisual better?
- Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and AirVisual at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or AirVisual?
- OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and AirVisual at Free.
- Does OpenWeatherMap or AirVisual run on more platforms?
- OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. AirVisual runs on Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use OpenWeatherMap for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is OpenWeatherMap best used for?
- OpenWeatherMap is most often used for embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websites, pulling historical and statistical weather data for research, displaying weather map overlays (precipitation, clouds, etc.) via the weather maps api, monitoring air pollution levels via the air pollution api. Of those, embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websites and pulling historical and statistical weather data for research are not what AirVisual is typically brought in for.
- What can OpenWeatherMap do that AirVisual cannot?
- OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Weather maps. AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, 3-day forecasts, Health recommendations, City rankings. Both handle Historical data, Widgets, Web support.