Software · head to head
The Weather Channel vs Visual Crossing Weather
The Weather Channel
Software
America's most trusted weather source with real-time forecasts
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Visual Crossing Weather
Software
Historical and forecast weather data for any location
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: The Weather Channel premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms; Visual Crossing Weather sub hourly weather history, solar and wind energy elements, soil and evapotranspiration data and degree day calculations are excluded from the Professional plan
- They diverge on capability: The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts, Visual Crossing Weather covers Historical weather.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which The Weather Channel and Visual Crossing Weather actually diverge.
| Attribute | The Weather Channel | Visual Crossing Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku | Api, Web |
| Founded | 1982 | 2003 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 The Weather Channel
- 10-day forecasts
- Hourly predictions
- Interactive radar
- Severe weather alerts
- Air quality index
- Smart home devices
- Connected cars
- Wearables
Only in Visual Crossing Weather
- Historical weather
- 15-day forecasts
- Weather query builder
- Bulk downloads
- API access
- REST API
- Excel add-in
- Python library
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
The Weather Channel
- Checking daily and 10-day local weather forecastsnot Visual Crossing Weather
- Tracking storms and hurricanes via Storm Radarnot Visual Crossing Weather
- Viewing weather radar mapsnot Visual Crossing Weather
- Getting severe weather alertsnot Visual Crossing Weather
- Accessing weather news and video content on weather.comnot Visual Crossing Weather
Visual Crossing Weather
- Pulling historical weather records for analysis and modellingnot The Weather Channel
- Adding forecast data to applications through a weather APInot The Weather Channel
- Weather driven analytics for energy, agriculture and logisticsnot The Weather Channel
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
The Weather Channel
- Premium radar features are limited to iOS and macOS; not available on Android or other platforms
- Premium subscription required for advanced radar customization
- Premium perks tied to partner deals which may change
Visual Crossing Weather
- Sub hourly weather history, solar and wind energy elements, soil and evapotranspiration data and degree day calculations are excluded from the Professional plan
- Removing the attribution requirement needs the Corporate plan or above
- Usage is metered in records rather than API calls, and the metered plan requires a cost calculator to work out the bill
- Per record rates are not stated on the editions page
- Enterprise terms are custom rather than published
Pricing, plan by plan
The Weather Channel
Free- FreeFree
- Rain radar and storm tracker
- Allergy tracker
- 24-hour future radar
- Premium$29.99/year
- All free features
- Premium perks program (up to USD 187 value)
- 18Birdies golf app access (30% off plus free week)
Visual Crossing Weather
Free- FreeFree
- 1,000 records/day
- 15-day forecast
- Historical data
- Professional$35/month
- 10,000 records/day
- Full API
- Support
Which should you pick?
Choose The Weather Channel if
- You need 10-day forecasts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku.
- You also want hourly predictions.
Choose Visual Crossing Weather if
- You need historical weather.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Api, Web.
- You also want 15-day forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is The Weather Channel or Visual Crossing Weather better?
- Neither clearly leads. The Weather Channel starts at Free and Visual Crossing Weather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, The Weather Channel or Visual Crossing Weather?
- The Weather Channel starts at Free and Visual Crossing Weather at Free.
- Does The Weather Channel or Visual Crossing Weather run on more platforms?
- The Weather Channel runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku. Visual Crossing Weather runs on Api, Web.
- Can I use The Weather Channel for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is The Weather Channel best used for?
- The Weather Channel is most often used for checking daily and 10-day local weather forecasts, tracking storms and hurricanes via storm radar, viewing weather radar maps, getting severe weather alerts. Of those, checking daily and 10-day local weather forecasts and tracking storms and hurricanes via storm radar are not what Visual Crossing Weather is typically brought in for.
- What can The Weather Channel do that Visual Crossing Weather cannot?
- The Weather Channel covers 10-day forecasts, Hourly predictions, Interactive radar, Severe weather alerts. Visual Crossing Weather covers Historical weather, 15-day forecasts, Weather query builder, Bulk downloads. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
The Weather Channel: What is the cost of The Weather Channel Premium?
The Weather Channel Premium subscription costs USD 29.99 annually with a 7-day free trial before the annual charge is applied.
SourceThe Weather Channel: What premium features are included?
The Weather Channel Premium includes premium perks program offering up to USD 187 in partner deals, access to 18Birdies golf app (30% off plus free week), and professional-grade customizable radar with high-resolution single-site radar on iOS and macOS devices.
SourceThe Weather Channel: What are the free features available?
Free features include rain radar, storm tracker, allergy tracker, 24-hour future radar, storm alerts, Feels Like temperature, hourly and daily forecasts, weather widgets with dark mode support, and air quality monitoring.
The Weather Channel: What devices are supported?
The Weather Channel app is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, and other streaming platforms.
Related pages
More on The Weather Channel
More on Visual Crossing Weather
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