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Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Weather Mate

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
W

Weather Mate

Weather

Clean weather app with smart notifications

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Weather Mate primary website not accessible; domain resolves to 'not found'
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Weather Mate covers Clean interface.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Weather Mate differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Weather Mate
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSiOS, Android
Founded20112015

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

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 Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Only in Weather Mate

  • Clean interface
  • Smart notifications
  • Customizable alerts
  • Multiple locations
  • Widgets

Both cover

  • iOS widgets
  • Apple Watch
  • Ios support
  • Watchos support

What people use each for

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

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Weather Mate

  • Real-time weather updates and forecastsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Weather alerts and notificationsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Clean, user-friendly weather interfacenot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Where each one falls short

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

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

Weather Mate

  • Primary website not accessible; domain resolves to 'not found'
  • No verifiable pricing information available
  • Limited ability to confirm current features or platform availability

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

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

Weather Mate

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Weather Mate review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Weather Mate if

  • You need clean interface.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want smart notifications.
Weather Mate review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Weather Mate better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Weather Mate at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Weather Mate?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and On request for Weather Mate.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Weather Mate run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Weather Mate runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
Yes. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Weather Mate starts at On request.
What is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) best used for?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch, viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, viewing high-resolution precipitation radar maps, receiving severe weather notifications. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch and viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days are not what Weather Mate is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Weather Mate cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Weather Mate covers Clean interface, Smart notifications, Customizable alerts, Multiple locations. Both handle iOS widgets, Apple Watch, Ios support, Watchos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Weather (Dark Sky): Is Dark Sky still available as a standalone service?

No. Dark Sky is no longer a standalone service. The Dark Sky API was discontinued on March 31, 2023, and replaced by Apple's WeatherKit API. Apple integrated Dark Sky's features into its native Weather app.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What features from Dark Sky are now in Apple Weather?

Apple Weather includes hyperlocal forecasts down to 0.001° precision, next-hour precipitation forecasts with charts and maps, extended hourly forecasts for 10 days, high-resolution weather maps with precipitation and air quality overlays, and government-issued severe weather alerts.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What API replaced Dark Sky's API?

Developers who used Dark Sky API can now use Apple's WeatherKit API, which works across multiple platforms and replaces the deprecated Dark Sky API.

Source
Apple Weather (Dark Sky): What versions of Apple OS support the new Weather features?

Apple Weather with the new features is accessible on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 Ventura or newer, available through the App Store.

Source
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