Software · head to head
Weatherstack vs AirVisual
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Weatherstack the free tier allows 100 API calls a month, which is a demo rather than a usable allowance; AirVisual outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage
- They diverge on capability: Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Weatherstack and AirVisual actually diverge.
| Attribute | Weatherstack | AirVisual |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Api | Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2016 | 2015 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Weatherstack
- Real-time weather
- Forecasts
- Location lookup
- Bulk queries
- REST API
- JSON responses
- HTTPS
- Api support
Only in AirVisual
- Global AQI coverage
- 3-day forecasts
- Health recommendations
- City rankings
- Widgets
- Apple Watch
- Smart displays
- Ios support
Both cover
- Historical data
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Weatherstack
- Current weather lookups by location in an applicationnot AirVisual
- Historical weather data for analysis on the paid tiersnot AirVisual
- Short and medium range forecastsnot AirVisual
- Bulk location queries on the higher plansnot AirVisual
AirVisual
- Checking local air quality and PM2.5 levelsnot Weatherstack
- Seven day air quality forecastsnot Weatherstack
- Health guidance based on current pollutionnot Weatherstack
- Comparing indoor and outdoor air with an IQAir monitornot Weatherstack
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Weatherstack
- The free tier allows 100 API calls a month, which is a demo rather than a usable allowance
- Historical weather data starts at the Standard plan, $9.99 a month for 50,000 calls
- Forecasting is tiered: 7 days from Professional at $49.99 a month and 14 days from Business at $99.99
- Multi-language responses and bulk queries need Professional or above
- Going past the monthly quota incurs overage charges rather than throttling
AirVisual
- Outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage
- Indoor measurement needs an IQAir AirVisual monitor bought separately
- The app pages do not state what, if anything, costs money
Pricing, plan by plan
Weatherstack
Free- FreeFree
- 250 calls/month
- Current weather
- Basic data
- Standard$9.99/month
- 50,000 calls/month
- Forecasts
- Historical
AirVisual
Free- FreeFree
- Global AQI data
- Forecasts
- Health tips
- Pro$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Historical data
- Widgets
Which should you pick?
Choose Weatherstack if
- You need real-time weather.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Api.
- You also want forecasts.
Choose AirVisual if
- You need global aqi coverage.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want 3-day forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is Weatherstack or AirVisual better?
- Neither clearly leads. Weatherstack starts at Free and AirVisual at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Weatherstack or AirVisual?
- Weatherstack starts at Free and AirVisual at Free.
- Does Weatherstack or AirVisual run on more platforms?
- Weatherstack runs on Api. AirVisual runs on Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use Weatherstack for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Weatherstack best used for?
- Weatherstack is most often used for current weather lookups by location in an application, historical weather data for analysis on the paid tiers, short and medium range forecasts, bulk location queries on the higher plans. Of those, current weather lookups by location in an application and historical weather data for analysis on the paid tiers are not what AirVisual is typically brought in for.
- What can Weatherstack do that AirVisual cannot?
- Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, Forecasts, Location lookup, Bulk queries. AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, 3-day forecasts, Health recommendations, City rankings. Both handle Historical data.