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EPA AirNow vs Windy

EPA AirNow logo

EPA AirNow

Weather

Official U.S. government air quality information

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windy logo

Windy

Weather

Advanced weather visualization and forecasting platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Windy windy Premium is required for the 1-hour and 15-day forecast outlook, 4-6x daily model updates, 24-hour radar/satellite loops with 1-year archives, and tide forecast maps, per the App Store listing; the free tier lacks these
  • They diverge on capability: EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Windy covers Weather visualization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which EPA AirNow and Windy actually diverge.

Attributes where EPA AirNow and Windy differ
AttributeEPA AirNowWindy
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19702014

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 EPA AirNow

  • Official AQI data
  • Air quality forecasts
  • Fire & smoke data
  • Health recommendations
  • API access
  • Data feeds
  • Widgets
  • API

Only in Windy

  • Weather visualization
  • Wind forecasts
  • Precipitation maps
  • Interactive charts
  • Real-time data
  • Global weather models
  • Satellite data
  • Weather APIs

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

EPA AirNow

  • Checking current Air Quality Index (AQI) for a location or any searched areanot Windy
  • Viewing next-day AQI forecasts to plan outdoor activitiesnot Windy
  • Monitoring wildfire smoke via the Fire and Smoke Map (built with the U.S. Forest Service)not Windy
  • Saving multiple locations for quick referencenot Windy
  • Receiving optional push notifications for local AQI forecastsnot Windy

Windy

  • Weather analysisnot EPA AirNow
  • Flight planningnot EPA AirNow
  • Wind pattern analysisnot EPA AirNow
  • Meteorological researchnot EPA AirNow

Where each one falls short

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

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

Windy

  • Windy Premium is required for the 1-hour and 15-day forecast outlook, 4-6x daily model updates, 24-hour radar/satellite loops with 1-year archives, and tide forecast maps, per the App Store listing; the free tier lacks these

Pricing, plan by plan

EPA AirNow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the EPA AirNow review.

Windy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Weather maps
    • Wind forecasts
    • Precipitation data
  • Premium$5.99/month
    • Advanced models
    • Historical data
    • API access

Which should you pick?

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.
EPA AirNow review

Choose Windy if

  • You need weather visualization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want wind forecasts.
Windy review

Questions people ask

Is EPA AirNow or Windy better?
Neither clearly leads. EPA AirNow starts at Free and Windy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, EPA AirNow or Windy?
EPA AirNow starts at Free and Windy at Free.
Does EPA AirNow or Windy run on more platforms?
EPA AirNow runs on iOS, Android, Web. Windy runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use EPA AirNow for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is EPA AirNow best used for?
EPA AirNow is most often used for checking current air quality index (aqi) for a location or any searched area, viewing next-day aqi forecasts to plan outdoor activities, monitoring wildfire smoke via the fire and smoke map (built with the u.s. forest service), saving multiple locations for quick reference. Of those, checking current air quality index (aqi) for a location or any searched area and viewing next-day aqi forecasts to plan outdoor activities are not what Windy is typically brought in for.
What can EPA AirNow do that Windy cannot?
EPA AirNow covers Official AQI data, Air quality forecasts, Fire & smoke data, Health recommendations. Windy covers Weather visualization, Wind forecasts, Precipitation maps, Interactive charts. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

EPA AirNow: Is AirNow.gov free to use?

Yes. AirNow.gov is a free service operated by the EPA and its partners that provides air quality data, forecasts, maps, and educational resources at no cost to users.

Source
EPA AirNow: Are there any subscription costs or fees associated with AirNow.gov?

No. AirNow.gov offers all services, data access, and tools completely free. There are no subscription tiers, fees, or payment options of any kind.

Source
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