Weather & Environment · head to head
StormGeo vs Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
StormGeo
Weather & Environment
Weather intelligence for shipping optimization
- From
- $800/month
- Rated
- -
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Weather & Environment
Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: StormGeo no longer independent as fully owned subsidiary of Alfa Laval since June 2021; Apple Weather (Dark Sky) dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
- They diverge on capability: StormGeo covers Weather routing, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which StormGeo and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) actually diverge.
| Attribute | StormGeo | Apple Weather (Dark Sky) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $800/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, Api | iOS, macOS |
| Founded | 1997 | 2011 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Weather & Environment).
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 StormGeo
- Weather routing
- Voyage optimization
- Fleet performance analytics
- Safety alerts
- ECDIS systems
- Fleet management platforms
- ERP systems
- Web support
Only in Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Minute-by-minute precipitation
- Next-hour forecasts
- Severe weather alerts
- Air quality
- UV index
- iOS widgets
- Siri
- Apple Watch
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
StormGeo
No use cases recorded yet. See the StormGeo review.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot StormGeo
- Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot StormGeo
- Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot StormGeo
- Receiving severe weather notificationsnot StormGeo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
StormGeo
- No longer independent as fully owned subsidiary of Alfa Laval since June 2021
- Primarily Europe-based with less established presence in Asian maritime markets compared to Weathernews
- Focused on commercial and industrial sectors rather than consumer weather services
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
- Apple Weather has no public pricing/API tier of its own comparable to the old Dark Sky API, developers must use Apple's separate WeatherKit product instead
- Apple Weather (the consumer app) is limited to Apple's own platforms; it is not available on Android or Windows
Pricing, plan by plan
StormGeo
$800/month- s-Suite$2000/month
- Weather routing
- Voyage optimization
- Fleet performance
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Free- FreeFree
- Full weather features
- Minute-by-minute rain
- Severe alerts
Which should you pick?
Choose StormGeo if
- You need weather routing.
- You work on Web, Windows, Api.
- You also want voyage optimization.
Choose Apple Weather (Dark Sky) if
- You need minute-by-minute precipitation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, macOS.
- You also want next-hour forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is StormGeo or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) better?
- Neither clearly leads. StormGeo starts at $800/month and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, StormGeo or Apple Weather (Dark Sky)?
- Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $800/month for StormGeo and Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky).
- Does StormGeo or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) run on more platforms?
- StormGeo runs on Web, Windows, Api. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS.
- Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
- Yes. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. StormGeo starts at $800/month.
- What can StormGeo do that Apple Weather (Dark Sky) cannot?
- StormGeo covers Weather routing, Voyage optimization, Fleet performance analytics, Safety alerts. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
StormGeo: What industries does StormGeo serve?
StormGeo serves shipping, oil and gas, renewable energy, utilities, aviation, and cross-industry sectors with weather intelligence, routing, and operational decision support services.
SourceStormGeo: What is s-Suite and what does it include?
s-Suite is StormGeo's complete, one-stop solution for shipping companies combining Voyage Planning, Onboard Route Optimization, Route Advisory Services and Fleet Performance Management.
SourceStormGeo: Does StormGeo offer weather routing for maritime operations?
Yes. StormGeo provides Weather Routing and Voyage Optimization services that empower onboard and shoreside teams to plan and execute optimized, compliant voyages by combining AI-driven insights, advanced technology, and weather intelligence.
SourceStormGeo: What is the s-Planner product used for?
StormGeo's s-Planner integrates route optimization and weather insights with up-to-date Electronic Navigational Charts and Publications to streamline onboard voyage planning workflow.
Source