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OpenWeatherMap vs Windward

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windward logo

Windward

Software

AI-powered maritime risk intelligence

From
$3000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenWeatherMap has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and Windward actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and Windward differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapWindward
Starting priceFree$3000/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
Founded20171996

Identical on both: 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 Windward

  • AI-powered risk scoring
  • Sanctions compliance
  • Ship-to-ship detection
  • Dark activity alerts
  • Compliance systems
  • Trading platforms
  • Banking systems

Both cover

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

Windward

No use cases recorded yet. See the Windward review.

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

Windward

Nothing recorded yet. See the Windward review.

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

Windward

$3000/month
  • Professional$7500/month
    • Behavioral analytics
    • Dark activity detection
    • 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 Windward if

  • You need ai-powered risk scoring.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want sanctions compliance.
Windward review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or Windward better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Windward at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or Windward?
OpenWeatherMap has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenWeatherMap and $3000/month for Windward.
Does OpenWeatherMap or Windward run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. Windward runs on Web, Api.
Can I use OpenWeatherMap for free?
Yes. OpenWeatherMap has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Windward starts at $3000/month.
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 Windward is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that Windward cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring, Sanctions compliance, Ship-to-ship detection, Dark activity alerts. Both handle Api support, Web support.
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