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Software · head to head

OpenWeatherMap vs Ventusky

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Ventusky logo

Ventusky

Software

Beautiful weather maps from Czech developers

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; Ventusky the Premium subscription page names two tiers, Premium and Premium plus, capped at 4 and 25 devices respectively, but publishes no price for either, showing a dash where the figure would appear
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Ventusky covers Animated weather maps.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and Ventusky actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and Ventusky differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapVentusky
Pricing modelUnknownfree
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
  • Widgets

Only in Ventusky

  • Animated weather maps
  • Multiple forecast models
  • Wind visualization
  • Temperature maps
  • Precipitation forecasts
  • Web embedding
  • Ios support
  • Android support

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

Ventusky

  • Interactive weather forecast, radar and wind mapping, with a paid Premium tier for unlimited layers and forecasts beyond 7 daysnot 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

Ventusky

  • The Premium subscription page names two tiers, Premium and Premium plus, capped at 4 and 25 devices respectively, but publishes no price for either, showing a dash where the figure would appear

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

Ventusky

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Weather maps
    • Multiple models
    • Forecasts

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenWeatherMap if

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

Choose Ventusky if

  • You need animated weather maps.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want multiple forecast models.

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or Ventusky better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Ventusky at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or Ventusky?
OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Ventusky at Free.
Does OpenWeatherMap or Ventusky run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. Ventusky 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 Ventusky is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that Ventusky cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. Ventusky covers Animated weather maps, Multiple forecast models, Wind visualization, Temperature maps. Both handle Web support.

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