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Maritime · head to head

StormGlass vs Weathernews Inc

StormGlass logo

StormGlass

Maritime

Global weather data API for maritime

From
Free
Rated
-
Weathernews Inc logo

Weathernews Inc

Weather

Global weather solutions for shipping

From
$600/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only StormGlass has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: StormGlass the free tier allows 10 API requests per day and is not licensed for commercial use; Weathernews Inc primarily Japan-based with headquarters in Chiba, may have lower coverage in certain regional markets outside Asia
  • They diverge on capability: StormGlass covers Marine weather data, 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 StormGlass and Weathernews Inc actually diverge.

Attributes where StormGlass and Weathernews Inc differ
AttributeStormGlassWeathernews Inc
Starting priceFree$600/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsApiWeb, Api, Mobile
CategoryMaritimeWeather
Founded20171986

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

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 StormGlass

  • Marine weather data
  • Wave forecasts
  • Tide data
  • Historical weather
  • REST API
  • Webhooks
  • SDKs

Only in Weathernews Inc

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

Both cover

  • Api support

What people use each for

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

StormGlass

  • Pulling marine weather and sea state forecasts into a vessel routing or planning toolnot Weathernews Inc
  • Adding tide, wave and wind data to a maritime or coastal applicationnot Weathernews Inc

Weathernews Inc

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

Where each one falls short

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

StormGlass

  • The free tier allows 10 API requests per day and is not licensed for commercial use
  • Commercial use and any support at all start at the Medium plan, 49 euros a month
  • The Small plan at 19 euros a month has no support and no commercial licence
  • Request allowances are daily rather than monthly, so a burst of traffic cannot borrow against a quiet week

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

StormGlass

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 10 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • Not for commercial use
  • Small$19/month
    • 500 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • 10% annual discount available
  • Medium$49/month
    • 5000 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • Full support
  • Large$129/month
    • 25000 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • Full support

Weathernews Inc

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

Which should you pick?

Choose StormGlass if

  • You need marine weather data.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api.
  • You also want wave forecasts.

Choose Weathernews Inc if

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

Questions people ask

Is StormGlass or Weathernews Inc better?
Neither clearly leads. StormGlass 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, StormGlass or Weathernews Inc?
StormGlass has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for StormGlass and $600/month for Weathernews Inc.
Does StormGlass or Weathernews Inc run on more platforms?
StormGlass runs on Api. Weathernews Inc runs on Web, Api, Mobile.
Can I use StormGlass for free?
Yes. StormGlass has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Weathernews Inc starts at $600/month.
What is StormGlass best used for?
StormGlass is most often used for pulling marine weather and sea state forecasts into a vessel routing or planning tool, adding tide, wave and wind data to a maritime or coastal application. Of those, pulling marine weather and sea state forecasts into a vessel routing or planning tool and adding tide, wave and wind data to a maritime or coastal application are not what Weathernews Inc is typically brought in for.
What can StormGlass do that Weathernews Inc cannot?
StormGlass covers Marine weather data, Wave forecasts, Tide data, Historical weather. Weathernews Inc covers Optimum ship routing, Weather forecasting, Voyage planning, Risk assessment. Both handle Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

StormGlass: Is there a free tier available?

Yes, Stormglass offers a free plan with 10 API requests per day, including all weather parameters, but it is not permitted for commercial use.

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
StormGlass: What does the Medium plan include?

The Medium plan costs 49 EUR per month and includes 5000 daily requests, all weather parameters, and full support for commercial use.

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
StormGlass: Is annual billing available?

Yes, a 10% discount is available when paying annually on Small, Medium, and Large plans.

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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