Softwr

Software · head to head

OpenWeatherMap vs Ambient Weather Network

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ambient Weather Network logo

Ambient Weather Network

Software

Connect your weather station to the cloud

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OpenWeatherMap free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month; Ambient Weather Network the App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and Ambient Weather Network actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and Ambient Weather Network differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapAmbient Weather Network
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20172003

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
  • Historical data
  • Weather maps
  • REST API
  • JSON format
  • Widgets

Only in Ambient Weather Network

  • Cloud connectivity
  • Real-time data
  • Historical storage
  • Alerts
  • Public sharing
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • IFTTT

Both cover

  • 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 Ambient Weather Network
  • Pulling historical and statistical weather data for researchnot Ambient Weather Network
  • Displaying weather map overlays (precipitation, clouds, etc.) via the Weather Maps APInot Ambient Weather Network
  • Monitoring air pollution levels via the Air Pollution APInot Ambient Weather Network
  • Geocoding locations for weather lookupsnot Ambient Weather Network

Ambient Weather Network

  • Professional Worknot OpenWeatherMap
  • Content Creationnot 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

Ambient Weather Network

  • The App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.

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

Ambient Weather Network

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Data upload
    • Dashboard
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenWeatherMap if

  • You need weather api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want current conditions.
OpenWeatherMap review

Choose Ambient Weather Network if

  • You need cloud connectivity.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want real-time data.
Ambient Weather Network review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or Ambient Weather Network better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Ambient Weather Network at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or Ambient Weather Network?
OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Ambient Weather Network at Free.
Does OpenWeatherMap or Ambient Weather Network run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. Ambient Weather Network runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Ambient Weather Network is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that Ambient Weather Network cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, Real-time data, Historical storage, Alerts. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on OpenWeatherMap

More on Ambient Weather Network

Keep looking

Other head to heads