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RainViewer vs Ambient Weather Network

RainViewer logo

RainViewer

Software

Global rain radar with accurate precipitation forecasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ambient Weather Network logo

Ambient Weather Network

Software

Connect your weather station to the cloud

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: RainViewer limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind; Ambient Weather Network the App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.
  • They diverge on capability: RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RainViewer and Ambient Weather Network actually diverge.

Attributes where RainViewer and Ambient Weather Network differ
AttributeRainViewerAmbient Weather Network
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
Founded20152003

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), 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 RainViewer

  • Global rain radar
  • Smooth animations
  • 2-hour forecasts
  • Lightning data
  • Satellite imagery
  • API access
  • Widgets
  • Notifications

Only in Ambient Weather Network

  • Cloud connectivity
  • Real-time data
  • Historical storage
  • Alerts
  • Public sharing
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • IFTTT

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

RainViewer

  • Professional Work
  • Content Creation

Ambient Weather Network

  • Professional Work
  • Content Creation

Both are used for professional work, content creation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

RainViewer

  • Limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind
  • Forecast window limited to 2 hours, not suitable for extended weather planning
  • Smaller global weather station network compared to national meteorological services
  • Limited historical weather data compared to competing weather platforms

Ambient Weather Network

  • The App Store listing states the Ambient Weather Network app requires iOS 14.1 or later, and the underlying station apps (awnet, AmbientTool) are tied to specific discontinued hardware models.

Pricing, plan by plan

RainViewer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Global radar
    • Animations
    • Forecasts
  • Premium$2.99/month
    • No ads
    • API access
    • Extended history

Ambient Weather Network

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Data upload
    • Dashboard
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose RainViewer if

  • You need global rain radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want smooth animations.
RainViewer review

Choose Ambient Weather Network if

  • You need cloud connectivity.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want real-time data.
Ambient Weather Network review

Questions people ask

Is RainViewer or Ambient Weather Network better?
Neither clearly leads. RainViewer starts at Free and Ambient Weather Network at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RainViewer or Ambient Weather Network?
RainViewer starts at Free and Ambient Weather Network at Free.
Does RainViewer or Ambient Weather Network run on more platforms?
RainViewer runs on Web, iOS, Android. Ambient Weather Network runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use RainViewer for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is RainViewer best used for?
RainViewer is most often used for professional work, content creation.
What can RainViewer do that Ambient Weather Network cannot?
RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Smooth animations, 2-hour forecasts, Lightning data. Ambient Weather Network covers Cloud connectivity, Real-time data, Historical storage, Alerts. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

RainViewer: What weather data does RainViewer use?

RainViewer processes radar data from over 1,000 radar stations worldwide to provide precipitation forecasts with sub-kilometer accuracy updated every 5 minutes.

Source
RainViewer: How far ahead can RainViewer forecast rain?

RainViewer provides 2-hour precipitation forecasts updated frequently throughout the day with hyperlocal predictions.

Source
RainViewer: Is RainViewer available on all platforms?

RainViewer offers both a mobile app and web platform for accessing precipitation forecasts and radar data.

Source
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Related pages

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