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Visual Crossing Weather vs AccuWeather

Visual Crossing Weather logo

Visual Crossing Weather

Software

Historical and forecast weather data for any location

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AccuWeather logo

AccuWeather

Software

Superior accuracy with proprietary RealFeel technology

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; AccuWeather free API tier limited to 500 calls/day (14-day trial), forcing quick upgrade to paid plans
  • They diverge on capability: Visual Crossing Weather covers Historical weather, AccuWeather covers RealFeel temperature.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Visual Crossing Weather and AccuWeather actually diverge.

Attributes where Visual Crossing Weather and AccuWeather differ
AttributeVisual Crossing WeatherAccuWeather
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsApi, WebWeb, iOS, Android, macOS
Founded20031962

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 Visual Crossing Weather

  • Historical weather
  • 15-day forecasts
  • Weather query builder
  • Bulk downloads
  • API access
  • REST API
  • Excel add-in
  • Python library

Only in AccuWeather

  • RealFeel temperature
  • MinuteCast
  • 45-day forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • Smart TV apps
  • Automotive
  • Smart speakers

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Visual Crossing Weather

  • Pulling historical weather records for analysis and modellingnot AccuWeather
  • Adding forecast data to applications through a weather APInot AccuWeather
  • Weather driven analytics for energy, agriculture and logisticsnot AccuWeather

AccuWeather

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts (MinuteCast)not Visual Crossing Weather
  • Getting severe weather alerts and notificationsnot Visual Crossing Weather
  • Viewing extended daily/hourly forecasts for trip planningnot Visual Crossing Weather
  • Building weather-driven features into third-party apps via the Core Weather APInot Visual Crossing Weather
  • Ad-free or premium in-app weather viewing via AccuWeather Premium/Premium+ subscriptionsnot Visual Crossing Weather

Where each one falls short

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

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

AccuWeather

  • Free API tier limited to 500 calls/day (14-day trial), forcing quick upgrade to paid plans
  • Entry paid API tier (Starter, $2/month) capped at 15,000 monthly calls with only Current Conditions and 5-day Forecast
  • Higher-tier forecast features (72-hour/10-day/120-hour/15-day forecasts, Alerts, Imagery) gated behind Prime ($250/mo) and Elite ($500/mo) API plans
  • Consumer app requires iOS 17 / iPadOS 17 / macOS 14 or later, excluding older Apple devices

Pricing, plan by plan

Visual Crossing Weather

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1,000 records/day
    • 15-day forecast
    • Historical data
  • Professional$35/month
    • 10,000 records/day
    • Full API
    • Support

AccuWeather

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 daily API calls (14-day trial)
  • AccuWeather Premium$1.99/month
  • AccuWeather Premium+$4.99/month

Which should you pick?

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.
Visual Crossing Weather review

Choose AccuWeather if

  • You need realfeel temperature.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want minutecast.
AccuWeather review

Questions people ask

Is Visual Crossing Weather or AccuWeather better?
Neither clearly leads. Visual Crossing Weather starts at Free and AccuWeather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Visual Crossing Weather or AccuWeather?
Visual Crossing Weather starts at Free and AccuWeather at Free.
Does Visual Crossing Weather or AccuWeather run on more platforms?
Visual Crossing Weather runs on Api, Web. AccuWeather runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS.
Can I use Visual Crossing Weather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Visual Crossing Weather best used for?
Visual Crossing Weather is most often used for pulling historical weather records for analysis and modelling, adding forecast data to applications through a weather api, weather driven analytics for energy, agriculture and logistics. Of those, pulling historical weather records for analysis and modelling and adding forecast data to applications through a weather api are not what AccuWeather is typically brought in for.
What can Visual Crossing Weather do that AccuWeather cannot?
Visual Crossing Weather covers Historical weather, 15-day forecasts, Weather query builder, Bulk downloads. AccuWeather covers RealFeel temperature, MinuteCast, 45-day forecasts, Severe weather alerts. Both handle Web support.
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