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OpenWeatherMap vs The Weather Channel

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Weather Channel logo

The Weather Channel

Software

America's most trusted weather source with real-time 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; The Weather Channel premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and The Weather Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and The Weather Channel differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapThe Weather Channel
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku
Founded20171982

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 The Weather Channel

  • 10-day forecasts
  • Hourly predictions
  • Interactive radar
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality index
  • Smart home devices
  • Connected cars
  • Wearables

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

The Weather Channel

  • Checking daily and 10-day local weather forecastsnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Tracking storms and hurricanes via Storm Radarnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Viewing weather radar mapsnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Getting severe weather alertsnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Accessing weather news and video content on weather.comnot 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

The Weather Channel

  • Premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • Premium subscription required for advanced radar customization
  • Premium perks tied to partner deals which may change

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

The Weather Channel

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Rain radar and storm tracker
    • Allergy tracker
    • 24-hour future radar
  • Premium$29.99/year
    • All free features
    • Premium perks program (up to USD 187 value)
    • 18Birdies golf app access (30% off plus free week)

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 The Weather Channel if

  • You need 10-day forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
  • You also want hourly predictions.
The Weather Channel review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or The Weather Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and The Weather Channel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or The Weather Channel?
OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and The Weather Channel at Free.
Does OpenWeatherMap or The Weather Channel run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. The Weather Channel runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
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 The Weather Channel is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that The Weather Channel cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts, Hourly predictions, Interactive radar, Severe weather alerts. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

The Weather Channel: What is the cost of The Weather Channel Premium?

The Weather Channel Premium subscription costs USD 29.99 annually with a 7-day free trial before the annual charge is applied.

Source
The Weather Channel: What premium features are included?

The Weather Channel Premium includes premium perks program offering up to USD 187 in partner deals, access to 18Birdies golf app (30% off plus free week), and professional-grade customizable radar with high-resolution single-site radar on iOS and macOS devices.

Source
The Weather Channel: What are the free features available?

Free features include rain radar, storm tracker, allergy tracker, 24-hour future radar, storm alerts, Feels Like temperature, hourly and daily forecasts, weather widgets with dark mode support, and air quality monitoring.

The Weather Channel: What devices are supported?

The Weather Channel app is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, and other streaming platforms.

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