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Weather · head to head

RainViewer vs Storm Radar

RainViewer logo

RainViewer

Weather

Global rain radar with accurate precipitation forecasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Storm Radar logo

Storm Radar

Weather

Advanced storm tracking from The Weather Channel

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; Storm Radar iOS-only at launch with Android support still pending
  • They diverge on capability: RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Storm Radar covers Future radar.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RainViewer and Storm Radar actually diverge.

Attributes where RainViewer and Storm Radar differ
AttributeRainViewerStorm Radar
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS
Founded20151982

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 RainViewer

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

Only in Storm Radar

  • Future radar
  • Storm tracking
  • Lightning detection
  • Hurricane tracker
  • Severe alerts
  • Weather Channel ecosystem
  • Smart devices

Both cover

  • 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

Storm Radar

  • 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

Storm Radar

  • iOS-only at launch with Android support still pending
  • Premium subscription required for advanced features like future radar and custom alerts
  • Limited integration options with other weather or emergency alert services

Pricing, plan by plan

RainViewer

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

Storm Radar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic weather radar
    • Real-time precipitation alerts
    • Severe weather warnings
  • Premium$3.99/month
    • Future radar (6-72 hours)
    • 30 advanced tracking features
    • AI Weather Assistant

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 Storm Radar if

  • You need future radar.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want storm tracking.
Storm Radar review

Questions people ask

Is RainViewer or Storm Radar better?
Neither clearly leads. RainViewer starts at Free and Storm Radar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RainViewer or Storm Radar?
RainViewer starts at Free and Storm Radar at Free.
Does RainViewer or Storm Radar run on more platforms?
RainViewer runs on Web, iOS, Android. Storm Radar runs on iOS.
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 Storm Radar cannot?
RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Smooth animations, 2-hour forecasts, Lightning data. Storm Radar covers Future radar, Storm tracking, Lightning detection, Hurricane tracker. Both handle 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
Storm Radar: How much does Storm Radar cost?

Storm Radar is free to download on iOS. Premium features cost $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year. The Weather Channel Premium Pro subscribers get all Storm Radar premium features for $4.99/month or $29.99/year.

Source
RainViewer: How far ahead can RainViewer forecast rain?

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

Source
Storm Radar: What platforms does Storm Radar support?

Storm Radar is currently available on iOS. An Android version is planned for future release.

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
Storm Radar: What storm tracking features does Storm Radar provide?

Storm Radar offers 6 hours of global future radar and up to 72 hours in the US, real-time precipitation alerts, NOAA severe weather warnings, lightning alerts, and up to 30 advanced tracking features for hurricanes, tornadoes, and other storms.

Source
Storm Radar: Does Storm Radar include an AI Weather Assistant?

Yes, Storm Radar includes an AI-Powered Weather Assistant that provides personal meteorologist-level insights using generative AI to transform complex weather data into natural updates.

Source
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