Software · head to head
Weatherstack vs EPA AirNow
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; EPA AirNow air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
- They diverge on capability: Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Weatherstack and EPA AirNow actually diverge.
| Attribute | Weatherstack | EPA AirNow |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Platforms | Api | iOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2016 | 1970 |
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 EPA AirNow
- Official AQI data
- Air quality forecasts
- Fire & smoke data
- Health recommendations
- API access
- Data feeds
- Widgets
- API
Both cover
- Api support
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 EPA AirNow
- Historical weather data for analysis on the paid tiersnot EPA AirNow
- Short and medium range forecastsnot EPA AirNow
- Bulk location queries on the higher plansnot EPA AirNow
EPA AirNow
- Checking current Air Quality Index (AQI) for a location or any searched areanot Weatherstack
- Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot Weatherstack
- Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not Weatherstack
- Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot Weatherstack
- Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot 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
EPA AirNow
- Air quality data availability depends on nearby monitoring stations, can show no data found near a location when no monitor is close enough
- Interactive monitor map (PM2.5, PM10, ozone) coverage documented on the primary source is U.S.-focused
- As a government-run service it offers no paid tiers, proprietary data sources, or customization options found in commercial weather/air-quality apps
Pricing, plan by plan
Weatherstack
Free- FreeFree
- 250 calls/month
- Current weather
- Basic data
- Standard$9.99/month
- 50,000 calls/month
- Forecasts
- Historical
EPA AirNow
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.
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 EPA AirNow if
- You need official aqi data.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want air quality forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is Weatherstack or EPA AirNow better?
- Neither clearly leads. Weatherstack starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Weatherstack or EPA AirNow?
- Weatherstack starts at Free and EPA AirNow at Free.
- Does Weatherstack or EPA AirNow run on more platforms?
- Weatherstack runs on Api. EPA AirNow 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 EPA AirNow is typically brought in for.
- What can Weatherstack do that EPA AirNow cannot?
- Weatherstack covers Real-time weather, Historical data, Forecasts, Location lookup. EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Both handle Api support.