Software · head to head
WSI (The Weather Company) vs AirVisual
WSI (The Weather Company)
Software
Professional weather solutions for business operations
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only AirVisual has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: WSI (The Weather Company) the Weather Company (which acquired WSI) states on its own site that it no longer owns The Weather Channel TV network, a separate entity from its data/API business (Internet Archive capture, 6 May 2021); AirVisual outdoor readings depend on nearby government or crowdsourced monitors, so accuracy varies with local coverage
- They diverge on capability: WSI (The Weather Company) covers Aviation weather, AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which WSI (The Weather Company) and AirVisual actually diverge.
| Attribute | WSI (The Weather Company) | AirVisual |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Api, Enterprise | Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 1978 | 2015 |
Identical on both: 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 WSI (The Weather Company)
- Aviation weather
- Energy forecasting
- Media solutions
- Insurance analytics
- Precision forecasts
- Enterprise systems
- Aviation networks
- Trading platforms
Only in AirVisual
- Global AQI coverage
- 3-day forecasts
- Health recommendations
- City rankings
- Historical data
- Widgets
- Apple Watch
- Smart displays
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
WSI (The Weather Company)
- Professional Worknot AirVisual
- Content Creationnot AirVisual
AirVisual
- Checking local air quality and PM2.5 levelsnot WSI (The Weather Company)
- Seven day air quality forecastsnot WSI (The Weather Company)
- Health guidance based on current pollutionnot WSI (The Weather Company)
- Comparing indoor and outdoor air with an IQAir monitornot WSI (The Weather Company)
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
WSI (The Weather Company)
- The Weather Company (which acquired WSI) states on its own site that it no longer owns The Weather Channel TV network, a separate entity from its data/API business (Internet Archive capture, 6 May 2021)
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
WSI (The Weather Company)
On request- EnterpriseFree
- Industry solutions
- API access
- Custom analytics
AirVisual
Free- FreeFree
- Global AQI data
- Forecasts
- Health tips
- Pro$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Historical data
- Widgets
Which should you pick?
Choose WSI (The Weather Company) if
- You need aviation weather.
- You work on Web, Api, Enterprise.
- You also want energy forecasting.
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 WSI (The Weather Company) or AirVisual better?
- Neither clearly leads. WSI (The Weather Company) starts at On request and AirVisual at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, WSI (The Weather Company) or AirVisual?
- AirVisual has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for WSI (The Weather Company) and Free for AirVisual.
- Does WSI (The Weather Company) or AirVisual run on more platforms?
- WSI (The Weather Company) runs on Web, Api, Enterprise. AirVisual runs on Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use AirVisual for free?
- Yes. AirVisual has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. WSI (The Weather Company) starts at On request.
- What is WSI (The Weather Company) best used for?
- WSI (The Weather Company) is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what AirVisual is typically brought in for.
- What can WSI (The Weather Company) do that AirVisual cannot?
- WSI (The Weather Company) covers Aviation weather, Energy forecasting, Media solutions, Insurance analytics. AirVisual covers Global AQI coverage, 3-day forecasts, Health recommendations, City rankings. Both handle Web support.