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OpenWeatherMap vs Weatherstack

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Weatherstack logo

Weatherstack

Software

Real-time weather API trusted by thousands

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; Weatherstack the free tier allows 100 API calls a month, which is a demo rather than a usable allowance
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Weatherstack covers Real-time weather.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and Weatherstack actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and Weatherstack differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapWeatherstack
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWebApi
Founded20172016

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
  • Weather maps
  • JSON format
  • Widgets
  • Web support

Only in Weatherstack

  • Real-time weather
  • Location lookup
  • Bulk queries
  • JSON responses
  • HTTPS

Both cover

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

Weatherstack

  • Current weather lookups by location in an applicationnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Historical weather data for analysis on the paid tiersnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Short and medium range forecastsnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Bulk location queries on the higher plansnot 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

Weatherstack

  • The free tier allows 100 API calls a month, which is a demo rather than a usable allowance
  • Historical weather data starts at the Standard plan, $9.99 a month for 50,000 calls
  • Forecasting is tiered: 7 days from Professional at $49.99 a month and 14 days from Business at $99.99
  • Multi-language responses and bulk queries need Professional or above
  • Going past the monthly quota incurs overage charges rather than throttling

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

Weatherstack

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 250 calls/month
    • Current weather
    • Basic data
  • Standard$9.99/month
    • 50,000 calls/month
    • Forecasts
    • Historical

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 Weatherstack if

  • You need real-time weather.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api.
  • You also want location lookup.
Weatherstack review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or Weatherstack better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Weatherstack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or Weatherstack?
OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Weatherstack at Free.
Does OpenWeatherMap or Weatherstack run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. Weatherstack runs on Api.
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 Weatherstack is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that Weatherstack cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Weather maps, JSON format. Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, Location lookup, Bulk queries, JSON responses. Both handle Forecasts, Historical data, REST API, Api support.
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