Software · head to head
Weather.gov vs Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Software
Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Weather.gov no official mobile app, requiring users to access through browser or shortcuts; 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: Weather.gov covers Official forecasts, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Weather.gov and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) actually diverge.
| Attribute | Weather.gov | Apple Weather (Dark Sky) |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | iOS, macOS |
| Founded | 1870 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Weather.gov
- Official forecasts
- Severe weather warnings
- Radar imagery
- Marine forecasts
- Aviation weather
- API access
- Data feeds
- Alert systems
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.
Weather.gov
- 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 Weather.gov
- Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Weather.gov
- Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Weather.gov
- Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Weather.gov
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Weather.gov
- No official mobile app, requiring users to access through browser or shortcuts
- No push notifications for weather alerts
- Outdated user interface compared to commercial alternatives
- Mobile website has been decommissioned with no dedicated mobile experience
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
Weather.gov
Free- FreeFree
- All forecasts
- Severe weather alerts
- Radar data
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Free- FreeFree
- Full weather features
- Minute-by-minute rain
- Severe alerts
Which should you pick?
Choose Weather.gov if
- You need official forecasts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want severe weather warnings.
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 Weather.gov or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) better?
- Neither clearly leads. Weather.gov 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, Weather.gov or Apple Weather (Dark Sky)?
- Weather.gov starts at Free and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free.
- Does Weather.gov or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) run on more platforms?
- Weather.gov runs on Web. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS.
- Can I use Weather.gov for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Weather.gov best used for?
- Weather.gov 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 Weather.gov do that Apple Weather (Dark Sky) cannot?
- Weather.gov covers Official forecasts, Severe weather warnings, Radar imagery, Marine forecasts. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Weather.gov: Does Weather.gov have a mobile app?
No. The National Weather Service does not provide an official mobile app. Users can access weather.gov through a mobile browser or create a home screen shortcut, but there is no dedicated app for push notifications or offline access.
SourceWeather.gov: Is Weather.gov free?
Yes. Weather.gov and its public API at api.weather.gov are completely free to use with no subscription fees. The API only requires a User-Agent header identification and serves weather data at no cost.
SourceWeather.gov: What data formats does Weather.gov API support?
The API supports multiple formats including GeoJSON (default), JSON-LD, DWML, OXML, CAP (Common Alerting Protocol), and ATOM, allowing developers to integrate weather data into various applications.
SourceWeather.gov: Can I get detailed forecast data beyond basic predictions?
Yes. Weather.gov provides gridpoint endpoints with 12-hour and hourly forecast periods, raw forecast data at approximately 2.5km resolution, current observations from weather stations, and detailed alerts with state, county, and zone filtering.
SourceRelated pages
More on Weather.gov
More on Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
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