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Weather · head to head

RainViewer vs Weathernews Inc

RainViewer logo

RainViewer

Weather

Global rain radar with accurate precipitation forecasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Weathernews Inc logo

Weathernews Inc

Weather

Global weather solutions for shipping

From
$600/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only RainViewer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: RainViewer limited to precipitation forecasting without comprehensive weather data like temperature or wind; Weathernews Inc primarily Japan-based with headquarters in Chiba, may have lower coverage in certain regional markets outside Asia
  • They diverge on capability: RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Weathernews Inc covers Optimum ship routing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RainViewer and Weathernews Inc actually diverge.

Attributes where RainViewer and Weathernews Inc differ
AttributeRainViewerWeathernews Inc
Starting priceFree$600/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Api, Mobile
Founded20151986

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 RainViewer

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

Only in Weathernews Inc

  • Optimum ship routing
  • Weather forecasting
  • Voyage planning
  • Risk assessment
  • Fleet management
  • Bridge systems
  • Navigation software
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

RainViewer

  • Professional Worknot Weathernews Inc
  • Content Creationnot Weathernews Inc

Weathernews Inc

  • Optimizing cargo ship navigation with real-time maritime weather forecastsnot RainViewer
  • Supporting offshore wind farm operations with 24-hour weather monitoringnot RainViewer
  • Providing exclusive wind data for commercial drone flight planningnot RainViewer
  • Routing emergency medical helicopters in Japan with weather intelligencenot RainViewer

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

Weathernews Inc

  • Primarily Japan-based with headquarters in Chiba, may have lower coverage in certain regional markets outside Asia
  • Marine weather data and aviation services are newer offerings compared to core weather forecasting capabilities
  • Competition from established European weather services in maritime sector

Pricing, plan by plan

RainViewer

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

Weathernews Inc

$600/month
  • Optimum Routing$1500/month
    • Weather routing
    • Voyage optimization
    • 24/7 support

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 Weathernews Inc if

  • You need optimum ship routing.
  • You work on Web, Api, Mobile.
  • You also want weather forecasting.
Weathernews Inc review

Questions people ask

Is RainViewer or Weathernews Inc better?
Neither clearly leads. RainViewer starts at Free and Weathernews Inc at $600/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RainViewer or Weathernews Inc?
RainViewer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for RainViewer and $600/month for Weathernews Inc.
Does RainViewer or Weathernews Inc run on more platforms?
RainViewer runs on Web, iOS, Android. Weathernews Inc runs on Web, Api, Mobile.
Can I use RainViewer for free?
Yes. RainViewer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Weathernews Inc starts at $600/month.
What is RainViewer best used for?
RainViewer is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what Weathernews Inc is typically brought in for.
What can RainViewer do that Weathernews Inc cannot?
RainViewer covers Global rain radar, Smooth animations, 2-hour forecasts, Lightning data. Weathernews Inc covers Optimum ship routing, Weather forecasting, Voyage planning, Risk assessment. Both handle Web 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
Weathernews Inc: Does Weathernews provide marine weather data?

Yes. Weathernews provides wind, wave, current, sea ice, and typhoon information for global marine operations through its SeaNavigator platform, which launched SeaNavigator for Master in December 2025 with AI-assisted operations support.

Source
RainViewer: How far ahead can RainViewer forecast rain?

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

Source
Weathernews Inc: What marine weather products does Weathernews offer?

Weathernews offers SeaNavigator Marine Weather Service, SeaNavigator for Master with conversational AI for captains, and marine data for Middle East waters made available free of charge in April 2026.

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
Weathernews Inc: Does Weathernews serve the aviation industry?

Yes. Weathernews expanded aviation services with the December 2025 launch of SkyAviators, offering Global Aviation Weather Intelligence with turbulence risk assessments and takeoff/landing feasibility judgments for airports worldwide.

Source
Weathernews Inc: What was Weathernews founded in response to?

Weathernews was founded on June 11, 1986 by Hiro Ishibashi in response to a tragic maritime disaster where a cargo vessel sank at the port of Onahama, Japan with 15 crew members lost, demonstrating the need for better weather information.

Source
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