Software · head to head
Weather Underground vs IQAir
Weather Underground
Software
Crowdsourced hyperlocal weather from personal stations
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
IQAir
Software
Global air quality information and purification
- From
- $399/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Weather Underground has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Weather Underground free public API discontinued as of December 31, 2018 with no new developer accounts accepted; IQAir extremely expensive compared to competitors with similar particle filtration performance
- They diverge on capability: Weather Underground covers Personal weather stations, IQAir covers Global AQI data.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Weather Underground and IQAir actually diverge.
| Attribute | Weather Underground | IQAir |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $399/one-time |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile web, Personal Weather Station network | Web, iOS, Android, Hardware |
| Founded | 2003 | 1963 |
Identical on both: 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 Underground
- Personal weather stations
- Hyperlocal data
- Historical records
- Webcams
- Community forums
- PWS networks
- APIs
Only in IQAir
- Global AQI data
- City rankings
- Health recommendations
- Forecasts
- Historical data
- API access
- Mobile apps
- Api support
Both cover
- Smart home
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Weather Underground
- Professional Worknot IQAir
- Content Creationnot IQAir
IQAir
- Checking real-time outdoor and indoor air quality (AQI, PM2.5, etc.) via the AirVisual appnot Weather Underground
- Getting air quality forecasts for a locationnot Weather Underground
- Remotely monitoring and controlling IQAir air purifiers from a smartphonenot Weather Underground
- Integrating air quality/weather data into third-party apps via the AirVisual APInot Weather Underground
- Tracking global air pollution using monitoring station datanot Weather Underground
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Weather Underground
- Free public API discontinued as of December 31, 2018 with no new developer accounts accepted
- Previous enterprise pricing was expensive at $150/month for Cumulus Drizzle plan
- No longer competitive for developers needing reliable weather API access
- Service is in wind-down phase with limited future development
IQAir
- Extremely expensive compared to competitors with similar particle filtration performance
- Energy inefficient motors consume 215W at comparable CFM to cheaper models
- Limited sensor specificity for users with specific allergies or respiratory concerns
- Bulky design and outdated appearance unsuitable for modern interior design
- Replacement filters are very expensive at $199.99 with high ongoing costs
Pricing, plan by plan
Weather Underground
Free- FreeFree
- PWS data access
- Forecasts
- Historical data
- Ad-Free$1.99/month
- No advertisements
- Premium features
IQAir
$399/one-time- Atem Desk$399/one-time
- Portable desktop air purifier
- Small room coverage
- Atem Eco$799.99/one-time
- Smart air purification
- Most affordable smart model
- Released June 2026
- Atem X$1399/one-time
- Premium smart purifier
- Large room coverage
- Advanced filtration
- HealthPro Plus$949/one-time
- Medical-grade HyperHEPA filtration
- Large room coverage
- Gas and particle filtration
Which should you pick?
Choose Weather Underground if
- You need personal weather stations.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile web, Personal Weather Station network.
- You also want hyperlocal data.
Choose IQAir if
- You need global aqi data.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware.
- You also want city rankings.
Questions people ask
- Is Weather Underground or IQAir better?
- Neither clearly leads. Weather Underground starts at Free and IQAir at $399/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Weather Underground or IQAir?
- Weather Underground has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Weather Underground and $399/one-time for IQAir.
- Does Weather Underground or IQAir run on more platforms?
- Weather Underground runs on Web, Mobile web, Personal Weather Station network. IQAir runs on Web, iOS, Android, Hardware.
- Can I use Weather Underground for free?
- Yes. Weather Underground has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IQAir starts at $399/one-time.
- What is Weather Underground best used for?
- Weather Underground is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what IQAir is typically brought in for.
- What can Weather Underground do that IQAir cannot?
- Weather Underground covers Personal weather stations, Hyperlocal data, Historical records, Webcams. IQAir covers Global AQI data, City rankings, Health recommendations, Forecasts. Both handle Smart home, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Weather Underground: What happened to the Weather Underground API?
The free public API was discontinued on December 31, 2018, after IBM acquired The Weather Company. The service is now in a wind-down phase with no new developer accounts accepted.
SourceIQAir: What does IQAir do?
IQAir is a Swiss company providing two main services: air purification hardware (home and commercial air purifiers and filters) and air quality monitoring (real-time global air quality data from 80,000+ sensors worldwide, accessible via the AirVisual app and IQAir.com).
SourceWeather Underground: Can I still use Weather Underground's data?
Free API keys are still available for Personal Weather Station (PWS) owners who upload data to the network. General developers need to migrate to alternative weather API providers.
SourceIQAir: How much do IQAir air purifiers cost?
IQAir air purifiers range from $399 for portable Atem models to $949 for the HealthPro Plus. The new Atem Eco model is $799.99. Replacement filters cost $199.99 and last 1-4 years depending on usage.
SourceWeather Underground: What was the pricing for Weather Underground's Cumulus plans?
The Cumulus Drizzle plan cost $150/month, which many developers found prohibitively expensive for weather data compared to modern alternatives.
SourceIQAir: What real-time air quality data does IQAir provide?
IQAir provides real-time air quality data covering 500,000+ locations in 100+ countries, integrating data from government monitoring stations and 80,000+ IQAir-validated sensors. The platform measures PM2.5, PM10, and AQI for each location.
SourceWeather Underground: Does Weather Underground still offer a consumer-facing service?
Yes. The consumer website continues to provide weather forecasts, news, alerts, and access to personal weather station data through the PWS network.
SourceIQAir: Does IQAir have a mobile app?
Yes. IQAir's AirVisual app is available on iOS and Android, providing real-time air quality information, AQI rankings, health recommendations, and remote control of IQAir smart air purifiers.
SourceIQAir: Is IQAir affordable compared to other air purifiers?
No. IQAir air purifiers are significantly more expensive than alternatives. The HealthPro Plus at $900 offers similar particle filtering to the Winix 5500-2 at $300. Higher cost is primarily due to superior gas filtration but poor overall value for most users.
Source