# Element: Weather Radar — user reviews > 98 indexed App Store user reviews of Element by ETCETERA WEATHER, LLC, rated 4.54/5 from 1,421 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-weather-radar/id6737528351/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-weather-radar/id6737528351.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,044 · 4★ 192 · 3★ 50 · 2★ 34 · 1★ 60 ## What do users think of Element? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🚀 Accurate weather forecasts - 👍 Clean and intuitive design - 💡 Innovative radar visualization - 🔒 Customizable location tracking **Cons** - 💰 Expensive subscription pricing - 🐛 Connectivity issues - 🔍 Limited data coverage - 🤔 Inconsistent performance **Commonly reported bugs** - Failing to connect to servers - Incorrect location data - Delayed delivery of weather updates **Most requested features** - Expand coverage to more countries - Add customizable weather alerts - Improve route-based forecasting - Introduce a more affordable pricing model ## Newest reviews (19 of 98) ### 2/5 — Looks pretty but *2026-06-18, version 2.1.0* Lots of bugs. Most importantly, information doesn’t dynamically update: woke up this morning and the hourly forecast was still “11pm” next - I have to change location and change back to refresh (and I have all the right app settings). App will regularly freeze and be entirely unresponsive and require a full restart. And because I have the gall to use a mail app other than Apple’s, I can’t submit a bug report. Shame. Have a yearly subscription. Won’t be renewing. ### 3/5 — Beautiful app with some bugs *2026-03-21, version 1.14.3* I really love the UI and UX of this app. It really feels nice and clean, there are just two big things for me on why I knocked off 2 stars Firstly: imo Lifetime is absurdly expensive. I love paying for lifetime for apps, and I'm always down to pay extra because of it but $130($160 with family sharing) is absurdly high, and I def couldn't be able to stomach that. If it was close to $50-75, I would, but not that much) Secondly: there's a bug that if you're on the radar globe page, if you have the details for the weather out, the globe is really laggy whenever it moves with your finger as you scroll. It's really annoying and there's not really a fix unfortunately Otherwise, I really like the app pay for it, but not at its current pricing ### 2/5 — I tried feedback but it didn’t work *2025-12-29, version 1.14.2* This is a BEAUTIFUL app. I mean, you can tell they spent loads of time making this thing pretty. But oh my goodness, it is buggy. It might be the most buggy paid app I’ve used. From freezing when it opens, glitchy touch points, unresponsive menus, to overheating my battery and completing freezing to where it never recovers. I want this to be Darksky so badly that I wanted to give feedback (which I never do), but the feedback form was bugged. After 3 attempts, I finally got it pop-up a message saying I don’t have email set up on my phone. So, here I am putting in a review hoping that the developer reads this. Heck, if you want to open source it or bring on contributors, let me know.. because I want to see something beautiful deliver great weather content. ### 2/5 — Not Dark Sky lol *2025-11-13, version 1.13.1* To compare your self to the greatest weather app of all time is egregious when your features are your shortcomings. The app takes entirely too long to load on start. Slow to open then incredibly slow to fetch data. Weather is a quick look and the sluggishness of the fancy UI is an utter failure. The UI also takes entirely too many clicks to get anywhere of interest. Swiping, dragging and clicking is too much when the native iOS weather app just shows you literally everything this app does upfront on open without delay. Over the trial there were 4 weather events in my area and I received 0 notifications. Hard pass. ### 3/5 — Promising but often unusably slow *2025-11-11, version 1.13.1* I WANT to love this app. Great interface and nicely customizable. But especially after the last update, it’s soooooo slow loading weather info after opening that it’s basically unusable. Sticking with it in the hopes it’s improved, but at the moment can’t realistically recommend. ### 2/5 — First Impressions Ruined by Immediate Subscription Prompt *2025-10-18, version 1.12.1* The moment I opened the app, before I even had a chance to explore the interface or see what it actually offers, I was immediately greeted with a subscription screen. I haven’t even experienced the app yet, but I’m already being pressured to sign up for a paid plan. This constant push toward memberships and subscriptions in every app is getting exhausting. ### 2/5 — I want to love it. BUT… *2025-10-07, version 1.12.1* I love the look and the potential. Living in Florida I love the tropics feature to see the current activity for hurricanes and depressions. But I also would like accuracy in regards to current conditions and warnings. Most warnings I get delayed but 10 min if not more. The radar seems in accurate. I have two screenshots one from the Apple Weather App and one from Element. It was raining and that was shown in Apple Weather App. Element showed nothing on radar. I hope it gets better but if not I wish I could have gotten money back but I guess they have till my year is up to improve before I cancel. ### 2/5 — Decent at first — seems broken now *2025-10-02, version 1.12.0* Decent all at first. Didn’t quite feel like dark sky, but as close as I’ve seen. Recently seems something broke within it. Getting spammed with false advisory warnings (air quality, fog, frost, etc). Multiple coming through for different locations almost back to back giving pages of notifications — even clicking them direct brings you to the app with no sign of where that alert even came from. App seems to be running a bit clunky as well. No real benefit over the stock app outside of daily (morning and evening updates). ### 4/5 — Question *2025-09-24, version 1.12.0* Why do I see promos to upgrade to premium? I am already paying for that, right? ### 3/5 — Inferior information density *2025-08-26, version 1.10.0* I expected more customization for visualizations for the daily or weekly views. In the daily view, you get a single graph line (temperature, precipitation chance, etc) along with cloud cover icons per hour. The view shows 6h on screen (at least on my iPhone 16). Compare to Carrot, where you see about a 15h window, and you get cloud cover, likely precipitation by hour, and one metric of your choice. In Carrot, can also toggle to report in 2h blocks, doubling your window on screen to 1.5d. This really helps you digest the mid term weather without having to check back. Also compare to Wunderground daily view, where you get about 4d’s worth of graph on screen, with temp and precipitation both shown as continuous metrics, and by-day summaries for high/low temp, cloud cover, precip chance and amount. I far prefer the denser information views. I would not consider switching to Element without some improvements to how 12-24h range forecast data is displayed. The current UX could work for someone who isn’t coming in with specific habits. But the ad I saw mentioned Dark Sky, may it rest in peace, so I had very high expectations. ### 3/5 — need dark icon‼️ *2025-08-25, version 1.10.0* ‼️ ### 2/5 — Needs a native iPad version and even a macOS *2025-08-24, version 1.10.0* I like to keep weather open on my desk to monitor things. Element is great for that but only on my phone. I get that for being out and about and needing weather, but while i am at my desk preparing to go out, i am using my phone for calls and such and need a desktop weather report which would be the iPad. To be a complete weather solution, you need a native iPad version please ### 2/5 — Not a DarkSky replacement *2025-08-22, version 1.10.0* They sell you they are a DarkSky replacement but their UI and notifications are a considerable downgrade from the stock iOS weather app. Weather alerts get constantly delivered after the events have happened and there is no way to have quick glance at the next few days. ### 3/5 — Great Ideas but Poor Implementation *2025-08-15, version 1.10.0* The app follows a similar UI style as Apples weather app with the ability to customize layout and data as you choose. However there appears to be something wrong with the apps ability to utilize the 120hz smooth refresh rate (Apples Promotion). This results in a very stuttering scrolling experience that on the surface may not be a deal breaker until the experience coming from other apps and the general iOS interface. The developer needs to address this and the app would be a winner for one of the best weather applications in the store. ### 2/5 — Not there yet *2025-08-06, version 1.10.0* Excited for the app but it’s not there yet. Screen opens on a map of the region, then data covers where you are on the map. Current temp is buried in a field at bottom of screen - isn’t that what we want to know first? Future forecasts hard to read - make it easy for us to see what it’s going to be like tomorrow, the weekend. Basically: Good info, not great display. ### 1/5 — Can’t dismiss current weather tray *2025-07-27, version 1.9.1* The tray at the bottom of the screen can’t be dismissed, despite the interface line that suggests that you should be able to swipe down. I want to see the local radar. After several swipes to get it to go away, every time I touch the screen to zoom in or pan around the tray comes back up. Frustrating. ### 2/5 — Dark Sky, it is not *2025-07-20, version 1.8.1* I really wanted to love this app and I’ll hand it to their marketing team, because I bought what they were selling. Sadly, the app itself doesn’t rise to the occasion. Its map animations stopped working and the entire interface is less than intuitive. Maybe they’ll update it and issues will be fixed but until then, I can’t recommend it. ### 2/5 — Had high hopes *2025-07-18, version 1.8.1* Went for the free trial just to check it out and have to say I’m disappointed. I’m not seeing an hourly forecast, and I’m not seeing anything about the wind direction. Only the wind speed and gusts. Maybe I’m missing something? So far the AccuWeather app has been the nicest format for me even though it doesn’t seem to be all that accurate at times. ### 3/5 — Sleek but glitchy *2025-07-17, version 1.8.1* this app has a sleek interface but doesn’t work in the way I want. My favorite feature of weather apps is the radar and this one has an unreliable radar that won’t play future activity. Therefore deleting the app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Blank *2026-06-29, version 2.1.0* Service appears to have ceased. Nothing available in app ### 1/5 — Nothing you can’t get for free *2025-12-03, version 1.14.0* I tried it for a year. Totally not worth paying for. I get better information from free apps ### 1/5 — Didn’t even use for a whole minute *2025-12-02, version 1.14.0* Soon as I say I don’t want to sub I get a full screen ad that I have to stare at for 30 seconds….. Listen, when absolutely perfect apps like Carrot Weather can be used for free with the loss of only a few features, count me out of this one. Ads only encourage a delete, not a purchase. ### 1/5 — Not impressed *2025-10-22, version 1.12.1* Don’t see what makes it so special and worth any money ### 1/5 — $20 a month beware *2025-10-19, version 1.12.1* All iOS apps should disclose how much they cost on the front end before you actually download the app. I’m sick of seeing “free to download” only to find out if you want to use the app in any capacity you need to pay a fee. DELETED FASTER THAN DOWNLADED. BYE ### 1/5 — Disappointing treatment of loyal premium subscribers *2025-10-01, version 1.12.0* I’m a premium yearly subscriber and have been enjoying the app an its features. However, a recent update has left me feeling undervalued as a loyal customer. The app introduced family sharing which sounds great, but if you previously subscribed on their premium yearly plan, they will charge you $59.99 a year to add this. Existing premium subscribers like myself are essentially being told that our loyalty doesn’t matter and need to pay double to get family sharing. When I talked with support, they said that it was to cover “data costs.” This reasoning doesn’t hold up. Family sharing doesn’t generate additional data costs per user in any meaningful way that justifies excluding existing premium subscribers. What’s truly disappointing is the principle: when you introduce something new, loyal subscribers should already paid for premium shouldn’t be treated as second-class customers. This feels like a bait and switch tactic by punishing early adopters instead of rewarding them. If you’re considering this app,be aware that “premium” doesn’t mean you’ll receive future premium features. You’ll most likely be told to pay again. I expected better from a weather app I trusted and supported ### 1/5 — Deleted within 2 minutes *2025-09-27, version 1.12.0* Within the first 10 seconds of using the app it asks if I’m enjoying the app and for feedback. Clicked on 2 different things trying to learn/navigate the app and it asks again if I’m enjoying the app. No. No I am not. I’ll stick to Radarscope. ### 1/5 — Has promise but buggy at heck *2025-09-15, version 1.11.0* Saved locations work sometimes, and other times all the toggles don’t work for saved locations. For $39.99 you could do some QA work and get that right. Really not useful to me if I can’t turn on the features I like. I renewed hoping that had been fixed, but it hasn’t. ### 1/5 — Junk… *2025-08-31, version 1.10.0* GUI is clumsy, maps are hard to read. Forget about using this on a desktop. There are better Weather apps out there… ### 1/5 — Free version not worth it *2025-08-14, version 1.10.0* I can’t comment on the subscription version for $49, but the free version really isn’t worth it. Nice marketing copy, but the app is elemental at best. Lots of room for improvements. The basic Apple weather app has a ton of useful information and a good UX. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Faulty Notifications *2025-10-10, version 1.12.1* I keep getting notifications for fog and frost when it’s over 50 degrees F here. No fog and certainly no frost at that temperature. I double checked my location and it’s correct. UPDATE: First of all, thanks to the developer for responding quickly to my issue! I tried turning off notifications and since I turned them back on the problem seems to have corrected itself. I’m now very happy with the app! ### 5/5 — Best new weather app *2025-07-16, version 1.8.1* Refreshing new take on the forecast that feels designed for this era. Radar is great and I love the Lock Screen widgets and use them every day! ### 5/5 — Best weather app *2025-07-15, version 1.8.1* Best weather app ever it’s so simple and easy, barely no ads and it’s so cool and go show some love to the Instagram ### 5/5 — everything at a glance *2025-06-18, version 1.7.0* well.lsid pit app.all the weather and radar is thoughtfully displayed. notifications are right on time. ### 5/5 — What the weather app should’ve been *2025-05-22, version 1.6.0* I really appreciate how similar it feels to Apple apps. That made it quick to pick up, and it’s so much easier now to see what I actually care about ### 5/5 — Design Masterclass *2025-05-16* So worth it! An awesome, beautifully designed app. It’s straightforward and provides precise real-time information through a clean, simple UI. There’s nothing else out there this elegant or thoughtfully built. Absolutely love the routes feature. It makes planning my day effortless. 10/10 **Developer response:** We appreciate your support and are glad to have you using Element. It’s great to hear that the design, real-time precision, and Routes feature are making a difference in your day—that’s exactly what we aim for. Please don’t hesitate to keep the feedback coming as you continue using the app! ### 5/5 — Great new app! *2025-05-13, version 1.5.0* Downloaded the app not knowing what to expect, but the design is very sleek and gives me everything I need to use day to day. ### 5/5 — New Go-to *2025-05-13, version 1.5.0* This has become my new go-to weather app, replacing the iOS app most of the time. ### 5/5 — Already subscribed *2025-05-08* I like the app, but it keeps asking me to subscribe and I'm already subscribed. It's very annoying to have to tell it that I'm already subscribed each time I open the app. I sent an email to your support email address but I never got a reply or a resolution to the issue. The one star (see Update below) is due to the problem, not the app itself. I'll update the review if and when it ever gets fixed. If I don't hear back soon, I'm gonna request a refund. Update: The developer got back to me and the issue has been resolved. I've updated the review from 1 to 5 stars. The main feature I like about this app is that I can view weather patterns for up to 12 hours in the future. I realize that weather is a very chaotic system, but this gives me a general idea of what to expect. Have that right? **Developer response:** Thanks for reaching out and for sharing your experience — we’re sorry to hear about the subscription issue. We’ve received your email and are actively looking into it now to help get things resolved as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and your support of Element, and we’ll be in touch soon with an update! ### 5/5 — Awesome New Weather App!! *2025-05-06, version 1.5.0* really good weather app. radar is fast and looks cool, use it every day now. I like how adding a new location is super easy too! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*