Joe Hindy / Android Authority
Darkish Sky shut down its doorways on Android a few years in the past after Apple bought the app. The corporate then eliminated it from the Apple App Retailer again in September of 2022. As of January 1st, 2023, Darkish Sky is shut down for good. Which means the API goes down, the app will stop to perform, and it’ll now not be accessible anyplace. It’s a tragic day since we fairly appreciated Darkish Sky when it was on Android. Now, it’s time to buy options. Listed here are the very best Darkish Sky options you will get on iOS and Android.
To douse your hopes a bit of bit, it’s essential to notice that there isn’t any climate app fairly like Darkish Sky. It’s in all probability why Apple purchased the app, as a result of it was actually distinctive in its area.
For iOS customers, Apple’s inventory climate app has many Darkish Sky options. Because of this Apple purchased the service. If you would like the closest doable expertise to Darkish Sky, your finest guess is to make use of the inventory Apple climate app. Sadly, it isn’t accessible for Android.
The most effective spy apps for Android
1Weather
An excellent climate app with hyperlocal climate options and a handsome UI.
- Pricing (Android): Free / $1.99
- Pricing (iOS): Free / $1.99 monthly / $9.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- Covers the entire bases with hourly and day by day forecasts, a radar, hyperlocal climate, and extra.
- The Android model is pay-once and fairly cheap.
- Clear, easy UI that works fairly properly.
- Extras like air high quality, solar and moon monitoring, and extra are enjoyable.
What we don’t like:
- The iOS model is dearer.
- Radar can typically jam up on you.
- Adverts on the free model may be annoying typically.
1Weather is an honest various to Darkish Sky. It has the entire options essential to make it profitable, and the hyperlocal climate paired with the hourly forecast isn’t 100% correct, nevertheless it’s nearer than many. The place 1Weather makes up for it’s with a clear UI, extras like air high quality metrics, and a one-of-its-kind 12-week forecast that’s fairly correct, even when it’s a day or so off.
We didn’t run into too many issues with the app. The iOS model is dearer, and the radar freezes up sometimes, however in any other case, the app works fairly properly. We like this selection as a result of it’s a single value for Android customers, making it less expensive than most opponents. Each the Android and iOS variations work fairly properly, which isn’t unusual, nevertheless it’s not precisely widespread both.
AccuWeather
A giant title in climate with a serviceable app.
- Pricing: Free / $1.99 monthly / $19.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- AccuWeather is a giant title in climate, and lots of different apps use AccuWeather to supply climate info.
- Above common radar, even when it’s nonetheless not akin to Darkish Sky.
- Loads of superior options like storm monitoring, air high quality, and allergy knowledge.
- The MinuteCast function is an okay competitor to Darkish Sky’s up-to-the-minute forecasting capabilities.
What we don’t like:
- The app is constantly up to date, and never each UI replace is a optimistic one.
- The widgets may very well be higher.
- It switched from a single fee to a subscription plan, which isn’t a well-liked transfer.
AccuWeather is a reasonably large title in climate. It has an API that many different builders use to service the climate. Thus, you’ve possible used AccuWeather earlier than inside one other developer’s app. AccuWeather’s app is pretty easy. The UI is straightforward to navigate, and there are shortcuts to all the pieces that’s only a click on away.
There isn’t an excessive amount of to complain about. The radar is generally correct until you’re on the perimeter of a storm, after which it’s a bit of random. The MinuteCast function isn’t all the time correct, nevertheless it’s nonetheless higher than nothing. We additionally recognize the addition of issues like allergy and air high quality metrics, one thing many opponents haven’t executed but. The subscription is aggressive, and the free model nonetheless works properly. It’s considered one of our favourite climate apps.
Carrot Climate
Overview Sentence
- Pricing (Android): Free / $0.99 monthly / $3.99 per 12 months
- Pricing (iOS): Free / $4.99 monthly / $19.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- A sassy app that provides a little bit of comedy to the climate expertise.
- Ritzy options like a 70-year climate historical past and robust customization options assist set it other than the remainder.
- The iOS model is present with help for issues like Dynamic Island and Apple Watch help.
- A number of the extra dependable present, hourly, and day by day forecasts of any app on the checklist.
What we don’t like:
- The Android model doesn’t garner consideration from the developer just like the iOS model does.
- A number of the options, just like the achievements and recording your personal climate movies, are a bit of gimmicky.
Carrot Climate is a story of two experiences. The iOS app is well among the many finest climate apps on the entire platform. It’s up to date usually, has wonderful accuracy, tons of customization, and integrates properly with trendy Apple issues like Dynamic Island and the Apple Watch. We suggest it wholeheartedly, and it’s one of many extra standard Darkish Sky options. You’ll be able to even set the climate aggregator to Apple Climate, which is what Darkish Sky received built-in into. It’s nearly sort of like having Darkish Sky once more.
The Android model, then again, hasn’t been up to date in a few years, doesn’t have the trendy options of its iOS bunkmate, and it’s not one we suggest. The developer has acknowledged that the iOS model makes extra money, and in order that’s the place the eye goes. That’s truthful. Nonetheless, we hope they provide the Android model some love once more sometime as a result of we’d like to suggest it there too.
Geometric Climate
A uncommon, completely free climate app that competes with the massive youngsters.
What we like:
- It’s free and open-source. There’s even a FOSS variant on F-Droid for Android customers.
- Contains the essential stuff like real-time temperature, air high quality metrics, 15-day forecast, and extra.
- The app additionally contains international climate knowledge and climate alerts.
- A really clear UI that’s straightforward to learn.
What we don’t like:
- It might be a bit too easy for some people.
- Doesn’t embody a radar.
- The iOS model remains to be in TestFlight.
Geometric Climate is a serviceable substitute for Darkish Sky. It omits the radar portion fully, as a substitute selecting to concentrate on a easy timeline. Many customers prefer to pair this with one thing like MyRadar, Radarscope, or Ventusky (listed under). The opposite app offers the superior radar expertise whilst you get the forecasting stuff from Geometric. It’s a pleasant one-two combo.
That stated, the app could also be too easy for some people. It doesn’t embody any snazzy options like Carrot Climate or superior stuff like allergy metrics. The app is fully free, so that you sort of get what you pay for. We expect it’s a wonderful companion to one of many radar apps on this checklist. It’s additionally the one fully free app on the checklist, and we wished to incorporate one thing that was free.
MyRadar
What we like:
- Wonderful radar with loads of layers to customise the way you need.
- Appropriate with Put on OS and Apple Watch.
- Able to sending storm alerts and different warnings.
- Surprisingly correct.
What we don’t like:
- Common climate capabilities, like forecasts or present situations, aren’t as sturdy as another apps.
- A number of the actually cool stuff, like hurricane monitoring, is within the premium model solely.
MyRadar is likely one of the actually wonderful radar apps on iOS or Android. It’s not fairly as flashy as Darkish Sky’s, nevertheless it’s very practically as dependable. The map has pleasingly easy animations, tons of layers to use, and it’s among the many most correct radars on the checklist. There are another first rate options as properly, though they require a premium subscription. We actually prefer it as a hurricane tracker as properly, and it’s considered one of our favorites in that class.
The one downsides of the app embody a slight studying curve, and it’s not like most different climate apps on the checklist. In actual fact, many individuals pair this with a second, extra conventional climate app for stuff like long-term forecasts. Nonetheless, that is considered one of my private favourite climate apps, and it’s what I switched to after Darkish Sky left Android.
Radarscope
Joe Hindy / Android Authority
A severely highly effective radar app, and one of many few with Stage Three radar knowledge.
- Pricing: Free / $14.99 monthly / $9.99 – $99.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- NEXRAD Stage 3 radar, which is a rarity on this area.
- A wide range of built-in alerts, together with twister,okay flash flood, and marine warnings.
- One of many actually wonderful climate radars on both iOS or Android.
- Competes very properly with MyRadar.
What we don’t like:
- Like MyRadar, you’ll possible wish to pair this with one thing extra conventional for forecasts.
- Considerably unorthodox subscription choices.
- There’s a slight studying curve.
Radarscope competes with MyRadar for the very best radar app on iOS or Android. Very like MyRadar, this app is sort of completely a climate radar app. Which means you received’t get issues like forecasts and different stuff. As an alternative, you get a severely highly effective set of options and one of the vital dependable radars on cell.
It has some energy person options like NEXRAD Stage Three radar knowledge, which is the highest of the meals chain for consumer-level merchandise. It’s very dependable the overwhelming majority of the time, and there are even different radar choices if you wish to see extra. The one draw back is the subscription value. You’ll be able to pay $9.99 per 12 months for primary entry, or $14.99 monthly, which incorporates issues like 30 days’ value of radar knowledge, hail dimension knowledge, and different perks. It’s pricy, however undoubtedly value it in the event you’re into this type of stuff.
At present Climate
A easy climate app that does nearly all the pieces proper.
- Pricing: Free / $0.99 monthly / $3.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- Easy, customizable UI and widgets make for a climate app you truly like utilizing.
- A number of climate sources, together with AccuWeather, OpenWeatherMap, Foreca, and others.
- It’s often correct, though that will differ based mostly on which climate supply you utilize.
- The radar is not so good as the very best, nevertheless it’s nonetheless higher than common.
What we don’t like:
- Minor quirks on each platforms could not please all people.
- Whereas all the pieces in regards to the app is sweet, nothing in regards to the app is outstanding besides the seems.
At present Climate is a kind of climate apps that’s powerful to dislike. It seems good, it has wonderful widgets, and also you get the same old options like forecasts, radar, and issues like air high quality and pollen counts. It definitely does a great job of masking the entire bases. There are additionally a number of choices for climate sources in case one isn’t correct in your space.
There actually isn’t all that a lot fallacious with it. There are some usability quirks right here and there. As an example, radar is a premium function on iOS, however a free function on Android. We’re unsure why. Other than some minor inconsistencies and the occasional fallacious temperature studying, we will’t consider a motive this wouldn’t be a great Darkish Sky various.
Ventusky
Ventusky is the one app on this checklist with a radar that appears a bit of like Darkish Sky’s.
What we like:
- The 3D radar seems and acts just like the Darkish Sky radar, which can please some individuals.
- Moderately good and correct climate, and makes use of extra superior fashions than most different apps.
- Exhibits primary stuff like temperature or wind velocity in a extra superior means than most opponents.
- Competes with Radarscope and MyRadar as top-of-the-line climate radars on cell.
What we don’t like:
- Like its opponents, it’s an important radar, however not an important normal climate app.
- The sheer variety of settings is usually a little overwhelming initially, particularly in the event you don’t know lots about climate fashions.
Ventusky might be your finest Darkish Sky various if you wish to maintain that fantastic 3D world map that Darkish Sky had. This app does it, and it does it simply in addition to Darkish Sky did. The app contains dozens of climate fashions as properly, so you may select which advanced mathematical components you wish to predict your climate.
The app has another issues going for it. It’s cheaper than Radarscope and MyRadar whereas being simply as dependable, if no more so in some instances. The UI is clear and easy. Actually, other than needing a companion climate app for the same old stuff like forecasts, this one is a slam dunk. It’s undoubtedly worthy of consideration for a Darkish Sky substitute.
WeatherBug
An extended-time favourite within the climate area from lots of people.
- Pricing: Free / $0.99 monthly / $9.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- Lengthy checklist of options, together with some flashy extras like lightning maps, Worldwide radar help, and climate cameras you may faucet into.
- It additionally contains the fundamentals, like present climate, forecasts, air high quality, pollen counts, and so forth.
- A easy UI that does properly to point out you the entire above listed options with out feeling too cramped.
- Moderately good climate radar.
What we don’t like:
- Obnoxious adverts on the free model.
- It may be a bit of over-the-top with notifications.
- More moderen editions appear to be a bit of buggy.
WeatherBug has been round for a very long time. Thus, it’s a mature climate app with a metric ton of options. They embody primary stuff like prolonged forecasts and present climate situations. You additionally get all types of different stuff like visitors cams to visibly see the climate in your space. Individuals in search of a Swiss Military Knife climate app, WeatherBug ought to match the invoice fairly properly.
It’s fairly priced in comparison with its opponents, and even stuff just like the radar is fairly good. The one points we bumped into have been barely obnoxious climate notifications and a few intrusive promoting within the free model. Moreover, there are sufficient person studies of errors and bugs with newer editions that we couldn’t ignore them. Nonetheless, new variations of apps have bugs on a regular basis, so we’re giving WeatherBug the good thing about the doubt, assuming they repair the problems finally.
Windy.com
An all-around stunning climate radar with out sufficient options to make it rely.
- Pricing: Free / $2.99 monthly / As much as $29.99 per 12 months
- Platforms: iOS (App Retailer) and Android (Google Play)
What we like:
- There are 51 totally different layers on its climate radar.
- Direct entry to 55,000 webcams which can be viewing climate situations.
- A number of totally different climate fashions to select from, together with huge pictures like GFS by NOAA.
- Worldwide entry with over 40 supported languages.
What we don’t like:
- As with all the opposite radar apps, you’ll want a daily climate app for the essential stuff like forecasts.
- The extra granular choices and help require a subscription.
Windy.com is our fourth climate radar app on this checklist, and it competes favorably with the opposite three. This one is free to make use of with no promoting. Nonetheless, you do miss out on some stuff. For instance, the app solely enables you to view hourly forecasts in the event you pay the subscription. You solely get three-hour increments free of charge. You do nonetheless get entry to the app’s spectacular variety of layers, although, so there are many fairly animations to see.
Its shortcomings are pretty typical within the climate radar area. There isn’t a clear UI that shows the present temperatures, upcoming forecasts, and issues like pollen counts. At-a-glance stuff like that’s finest served by a secondary app or widget on your property display screen. Aside from that, that is proper up there, though we like Radarscope and Ventusky a bit of extra.
If we missed any nice Darkish Sky options, inform us about them within the feedback. You can even click on right here to take a look at our newest Android app and recreation lists.
