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OpenWeatherMap vs RainViewer

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RainViewer logo

RainViewer

Software

Global rain radar with accurate precipitation forecasts

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; RainViewer limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, RainViewer covers Global rain radar.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and RainViewer actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and RainViewer differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapRainViewer
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20172015

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
  • Api support

Only in RainViewer

  • Global rain radar
  • Smooth animations
  • 2-hour forecasts
  • Lightning data
  • Satellite imagery
  • API access
  • Notifications
  • Ios support

Both cover

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

RainViewer

  • 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

RainViewer

  • Limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind
  • Forecast window limited to 2 hours, not suitable for extended weather planning
  • Smaller global weather station network compared to national meteorological services
  • Limited historical weather data compared to competing weather platforms

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

RainViewer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Global radar
    • Animations
    • Forecasts
  • Premium$2.99/month
    • No ads
    • API access
    • Extended history

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 RainViewer if

  • You need global rain radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want smooth animations.
RainViewer review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or RainViewer better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and RainViewer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or RainViewer?
OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and RainViewer at Free.
Does OpenWeatherMap or RainViewer run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. RainViewer 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 RainViewer is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that RainViewer cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Smooth animations, 2-hour forecasts, Lightning data. Both handle Widgets, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

RainViewer: What weather data does RainViewer use?

RainViewer processes radar data from over 1,000 radar stations worldwide to provide precipitation forecasts with sub-kilometer accuracy updated every 5 minutes.

Source
RainViewer: How far ahead can RainViewer forecast rain?

RainViewer provides 2-hour precipitation forecasts updated frequently throughout the day with hyperlocal predictions.

Source
RainViewer: Is RainViewer available on all platforms?

RainViewer offers both a mobile app and web platform for accessing precipitation forecasts and radar data.

Source
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Related pages

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