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Weather · head to head

WeatherBug vs Yr.no

WeatherBug logo

WeatherBug

Weather

Fastest weather alerts with live conditions

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Yr.no logo

Yr.no

Weather

Norway's trusted free weather service for the world

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: WeatherBug requires persistent internet connection for real-time radar and live data; Yr.no full API/data usage requires attribution to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK per their terms, not a no-strings-attached free service
  • They diverge on capability: WeatherBug covers Lightning detection, Yr.no covers Hourly forecasts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which WeatherBug and Yr.no actually diverge.

Attributes where WeatherBug and Yr.no differ
AttributeWeatherBugYr.no
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsiOS, Android, Windows, WebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19952007

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

  • Lightning detection
  • Spark lightning alerts
  • Live conditions
  • 18 weather maps
  • Pollen data
  • School networks
  • Home weather stations
  • Smart devices

Only in Yr.no

  • Hourly forecasts
  • Long-term predictions
  • Precipitation graphs
  • Wind data
  • Aurora forecasts
  • Open API
  • Widgets
  • Smart displays

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

WeatherBug

  • Checking current conditions and forecasts from a network of local weather stationsnot Yr.no
  • Viewing live weather radar mapsnot Yr.no
  • Receiving severe weather alertsnot Yr.no
  • Tracking lightning strikes near a locationnot Yr.no

Yr.no

  • Checking day-by-day and hour-by-hour weather forecasts with graph detailsnot WeatherBug
  • Now-cast alerts for rainfall expected within the next 90 minutesnot WeatherBug
  • Viewing UV forecasts, pollen spread, and air pollution overviewsnot WeatherBug
  • Embedding free weather widgets/modules on third-party websitesnot WeatherBug
  • Building weather features into apps via Yr's free REST APIs (forecasts, alerts, radar, ocean data)not WeatherBug

Where each one falls short

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

WeatherBug

  • Requires persistent internet connection for real-time radar and live data
  • Radar images are smoothed for appearance, reducing detail compared to raw radar data
  • No historical weather data available in the free version
  • Free version contains advertisements
  • Performance issues and lag reported, particularly during severe weather or high usage periods
  • Lacks direct integrations with third-party apps and home automation systems

Yr.no

  • Full API/data usage requires attribution to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK per their terms, not a no-strings-attached free service
  • Product and documentation are heavily Norway/Nordic-centric in framing even though forecasts cover any location on earth
  • No paid/pro consumer tier is published, monetization/support model beyond the free service is unclear from primary sources

Pricing, plan by plan

WeatherBug

Free
  • Free$undefined/mo
    • 20+ weather maps
    • 10-day forecast
    • 140+ hours hourly forecast
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • Ad-free experience
    • Extended forecasts
    • Historical data

Yr.no

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather data
    • Hourly forecasts
    • Long-term outlook

Which should you pick?

Choose WeatherBug if

  • You need lightning detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Windows, Web.
  • You also want spark lightning alerts.
WeatherBug review

Choose Yr.no if

  • You need hourly forecasts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want long-term predictions.
Yr.no review

Questions people ask

Is WeatherBug or Yr.no better?
Neither clearly leads. WeatherBug starts at Free and Yr.no at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, WeatherBug or Yr.no?
WeatherBug starts at Free and Yr.no at Free.
Does WeatherBug or Yr.no run on more platforms?
WeatherBug runs on iOS, Android, Windows, Web. Yr.no runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use WeatherBug for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is WeatherBug best used for?
WeatherBug is most often used for checking current conditions and forecasts from a network of local weather stations, viewing live weather radar maps, receiving severe weather alerts, tracking lightning strikes near a location. Of those, checking current conditions and forecasts from a network of local weather stations and viewing live weather radar maps are not what Yr.no is typically brought in for.
What can WeatherBug do that Yr.no cannot?
WeatherBug covers Lightning detection, Spark lightning alerts, Live conditions, 18 weather maps. Yr.no covers Hourly forecasts, Long-term predictions, Precipitation graphs, Wind data. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

WeatherBug: Does WeatherBug work offline?

Partially. WeatherBug can cache weather data when you have an internet connection, allowing you to view cached information offline. However, real-time radar and live data require an active internet connection.

Source
Yr.no: Is Yr.no free to use?

Yes, Yr.no is a free weather forecasting service. It is a collaboration between NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) and The Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

Source
WeatherBug: What weather maps and radar layers does WeatherBug include?

WeatherBug includes over 20 weather maps including Radar, Future Radar (1-hour), Lightning, Pollen, Severe Storm Risk, and Precipitation. The free version includes a 10-day forecast and over 140 hours of hourly forecast data.

Source
Yr.no: Does Yr.no require registration or payment to access weather forecasts?

The website does not mention any registration requirements, subscription tiers, or payment obligations. Access to weather information appears to be free without account creation.

Source
WeatherBug: Is there a cost to use WeatherBug?

WeatherBug is free with ads. Premium subscription costs $4.99 per month for ad-free experience and includes extended forecasts and historical data.

Source
Yr.no: Who funds and maintains Yr.no if it is free?

Yr.no is maintained as a public service collaboration between NRK (Norwegian public broadcasting) and The Norwegian Meteorological Institute, both government-supported organizations.

Source
WeatherBug: Can I customize weather alerts?

Yes. WeatherBug allows customizable alerts for severe weather conditions including lightning, storms, and precipitation.

Source
WeatherBug: What platforms is WeatherBug available on?

WeatherBug is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and the web. The desktop app provides real-time weather updates, interactive maps, live radar, and detailed forecasts.

Source
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