Software · head to head
Weatherstack 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: Weatherstack the free tier allows 100 API calls a month, which is a demo rather than a usable allowance; 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: Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Weatherstack and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) actually diverge.
| Attribute | Weatherstack | Apple Weather (Dark Sky) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Api | iOS, macOS |
| Founded | 2016 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (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 Weatherstack
- Real-time weather
- Historical data
- Forecasts
- Location lookup
- Bulk queries
- REST API
- JSON responses
- HTTPS
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.
Weatherstack
- Current weather lookups by location in an applicationnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Historical weather data for analysis on the paid tiersnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Short and medium range forecastsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Bulk location queries on the higher plansnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
- Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot Weatherstack
- Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Weatherstack
- Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Weatherstack
- Receiving severe weather notificationsnot 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
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
Weatherstack
Free- FreeFree
- 250 calls/month
- Current weather
- Basic data
- Standard$9.99/month
- 50,000 calls/month
- Forecasts
- Historical
Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
Free- FreeFree
- Full weather features
- Minute-by-minute rain
- Severe alerts
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 historical data.
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 Weatherstack or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) better?
- Neither clearly leads. Weatherstack 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, Weatherstack or Apple Weather (Dark Sky)?
- Weatherstack starts at Free and Apple Weather (Dark Sky) at Free.
- Does Weatherstack or Apple Weather (Dark Sky) run on more platforms?
- Weatherstack runs on Api. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS.
- 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 Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is typically brought in for.
- What can Weatherstack do that Apple Weather (Dark Sky) cannot?
- Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, Historical data, Forecasts, Location lookup. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality.