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Plume Labs vs The Weather Channel

Plume Labs logo

Plume Labs

Weather

Personal air quality tracking and forecasting

From
$179/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Weather Channel logo

The Weather Channel

Weather

America's most trusted weather source with real-time forecasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only The Weather Channel has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Plume Labs plume Labs states on its own site that the Flow and Flow 2 hardware are no longer available for purchase, while the Plume Labs App and the Plume API continue to operate; The Weather Channel premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
  • They diverge on capability: Plume Labs covers Personal air sensor, The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Plume Labs and The Weather Channel differ
AttributePlume LabsThe Weather Channel
Starting price$179/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, HardwareiOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku
Founded20141982

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather).

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 Plume Labs

  • Personal air sensor
  • Real-time tracking
  • Exposure insights
  • Route suggestions
  • Health tips
  • Mobile app
  • Fitness trackers
  • Smart home

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

  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Plume Labs

  • Professional Worknot The Weather Channel
  • Content Creationnot The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Plume Labs

  • Plume Labs states on its own site that the Flow and Flow 2 hardware are no longer available for purchase, while the Plume Labs App and the Plume API continue to operate

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

Plume Labs

$179/one-time
  • Flow 2$179/one-time
    • Personal sensor
    • Real-time tracking
    • App access

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 Plume Labs if

  • You need personal air sensor.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
  • You also want real-time tracking.
Plume Labs 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 Plume Labs or The Weather Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Plume Labs starts at $179/one-time and The Weather Channel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Plume Labs or The Weather Channel?
The Weather Channel has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $179/one-time for Plume Labs and Free for The Weather Channel.
Does Plume Labs or The Weather Channel run on more platforms?
Plume Labs runs on Ios, Android, Hardware. The Weather Channel runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
Can I use The Weather Channel for free?
Yes. The Weather Channel has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Plume Labs starts at $179/one-time.
What is Plume Labs best used for?
Plume Labs is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what The Weather Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Plume Labs do that The Weather Channel cannot?
Plume Labs covers Personal air sensor, Real-time tracking, Exposure insights, Route suggestions. The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts, Hourly predictions, Interactive radar, Severe weather alerts. Both handle Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Plume Labs: Is the Flow 2 air quality sensor still available for purchase?

No. Plume Labs discontinued the Flow 2 hardware in Spring 2023. It is no longer for sale.

Source
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
Plume Labs: What air quality products does Plume Labs currently offer?

Plume Labs now offers the Plume Labs App for air quality forecasts and the Plume API for business data solutions. Specific pricing for these services is not disclosed on the website.

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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