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Weather & Environment · head to head

Today Weather vs Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Today Weather logo

Today Weather

Weather & Environment

Clean minimalist weather with multiple data sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather & Environment

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Today Weather weather forecast accuracy is dependent on underlying data sources and cannot account for local microclimates; 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: Today Weather covers Multiple data sources, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Today Weather and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) actually diverge.

Attributes where Today Weather and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) differ
AttributeToday WeatherApple Weather (Dark Sky)
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, iPod touch, Apple Vision Pro, AndroidiOS, macOS
Founded20172011

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

  • Multiple data sources
  • Clean design
  • Hourly forecasts
  • Precipitation alerts
  • Android widgets
  • Wear OS
  • Android support

Only in Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Minute-by-minute precipitation
  • Next-hour forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • UV index
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch
  • CarPlay
  • Macos support

Both cover

  • Air quality
  • iOS widgets
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Today Weather

  • Professional Worknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Content Creationnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot Today Weather
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Today Weather
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Today Weather
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Today Weather

Where each one falls short

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

Today Weather

  • Weather forecast accuracy is dependent on underlying data sources and cannot account for local microclimates
  • App does not provide offline forecast capability
  • Premium features require subscription or one-time purchase

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

Today Weather

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Weather forecasts
    • Basic radar
    • Air quality and UV index
  • Premium$2.99/year
    • Ad removal
    • Full radar capabilities
    • Advanced weather alerts
  • Premium (Lifetime)$17.99/one-time
    • All premium features
    • Perpetual license

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather features
    • Minute-by-minute rain
    • Severe alerts

Which should you pick?

Choose Today Weather if

  • You need multiple data sources.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, iPod touch, Apple Vision Pro, Android.
  • You also want clean design.
Today Weather review

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.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Questions people ask

Is Today Weather or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) better?
Neither clearly leads. Today Weather starts at Free 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, Today Weather or Apple Weather (Dark Sky)?
Today Weather starts at Free and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free.
Does Today Weather or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) run on more platforms?
Today Weather runs on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, iPod touch, Apple Vision Pro, Android. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS.
Can I use Today Weather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Today Weather best used for?
Today Weather is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is typically brought in for.
What can Today Weather do that Apple Weather (Dark Sky) cannot?
Today Weather covers Multiple data sources, Clean design, Hourly forecasts, Precipitation alerts. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, UV index. Both handle Air quality, iOS widgets, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Today Weather: Is Today Weather free?

Today Weather is free to download and use, with premium features available. Premium subscriptions are $2.99/year (with additional one-time purchase options at $17.99 for perpetual access), which unlock ad removal and full radar capabilities.

Source
Today Weather: What weather data sources does Today Weather use?

Today Weather integrates data from multiple sources including NOAA, AccuWeather, Dark Sky, Weatherbit, OpenWeatherMap, Foreca, and national meteorological services for each country such as Weather.gov (US) and UK Met Office.

Source
Today Weather: What platforms does Today Weather support?

Today Weather is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac (M1+), iPod touch, and Apple Vision Pro. An Android version is also available on Google Play.

Source
Today Weather: Does Today Weather offer widgets?

Yes, Today Weather includes 23 customizable widgets with multiple styles, allowing users to see weather data they need directly on their home screen.

Source
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Related pages

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