Comparison

Lightning Alarm vs WeatherSmart

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Lightning Alarm

Receive timely notifications about approaching thunderstorms and lightning strikes in your vicinity. This app provides accurate lightning detection and displays real-time information on a map, ensuring safety during outdoor activities.

Highlights
  • Real-time lightning detection
  • Approaching storm notifications
  • Lightning distance display
  • Map view of lightning strikes
  • Textual storm information
  • Push message alerts
Features
Read full description

Always safe with Lightning Alarm. You will be notified if a thunderstorm is in your area. The lightning detection is very accurate and the (automated) notifications are essential for safe outdoor activities. At a glance you can see the nearest lightning. Displayed on the map and in text, you see the current distance from the thunderstorm to your location. You can even set up a push message, notifying you for approaching storms. This App is unique and a must for your safety during outdoor activities. The information is based on the detection network of Meteoplaza.com. With this network 98% of all lightning discharges are detected, resulting in a high quality of the warnings! Lightning Alarm, you have been warned! Lightning Alarm Premium can be purchased through iTunes for € 3.49 per year. € 3.49 will be charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions are user-managed and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to Apple ID settings. By purchasing Lightning Alarm Premium you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Privacy statement: https://www.infoplaza.nl/en/about-us/disclaimer-privacy/ Terms of Service: https://www.infoplaza.nl/en/about-us/terms-of-use-lightning-alarm/

About

WeatherSmart

Get severe weather warnings and detailed forecasts for your current location and any other area. Customize settings like update frequency and do not disturb times. View daily highs, lows, and wind direction.

Highlights
  • Severe weather warnings
  • Current location weather
  • Forecasts for selected locations
  • Seven-day forecast
  • Temperature and wind data
  • Customizable settings
Features
Read full description

WeatherSmart, from the South African Weather Service (SAWS), provides you with severe weather warnings and other handy weather information for your immediate surroundings and other areas. WeatherSmart includes the following features and options: • Severe weather warnings • Weather conditions and forecast for your current location. • Search for and add other locations. • A seven day forecast for all your selected locations. • Minimum & maximum temperature(s). • Wind direction(s). • Weather notices, warnings and alerts. • Customise settings according to your needs: - Edit My Locations - Do Not Disturb Times - Weather Update Frequency Disclaimer: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. This application only supports iOS 8+.

Screenshots

Lightning Alarm4 screens
WeatherSmart4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lightning Alarm at 80% against WeatherSmart's 9%. Lightning Alarm also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.5) and ratings volume (890 vs 4). WeatherSmart's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Lightning Alarm sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. WeatherSmart asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightning Alarm holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightning Alarm has 890 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Lightning Alarm's written reviews are positive against 9% of WeatherSmart's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightning Alarm ships an update every 2 months, WeatherSmart every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Lightning Alarm versus WeatherSmart: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightning AlarmWeatherSmart
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (890 ratings) — better1.5 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews80.5% of reviews — better8.8% of reviews
Number of ratings890 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInfoplaza BVAfriGIS Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Lightning Alarm

All ratings889 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral5.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews533 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative14.3%

WeatherSmart

All ratings4 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive8.8%
Neutral2.9%
Negative88.2%

Bugs and requests

Lightning Alarm

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Notifications not working
  • Map tiles not loading properly
  • App crashing on launch

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to switch between miles and kilometers
  • Add multiple locations to track
  • Improve map visuals and details
  • Customizable alert radius

WeatherSmart

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Lightning Alarm

Subscriptions1
  • Lightning Alarm Premium$2.991 Year
One-time3
  • 1 month ad free$0.99
  • 3 months ad free$1.99
  • 1 year ad free$2.99
None

WeatherSmart

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightning Alarm free?
Lightning Alarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WeatherSmart free?
WeatherSmart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lightning Alarm or WeatherSmart?
Lightning Alarm is rated higher. Lightning Alarm averages 4.5 out of 5 from 890 ratings, while WeatherSmart averages 1.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Lightning Alarm or WeatherSmart have ads?
Lightning Alarm shows ads; WeatherSmart does not.
Which is updated more often, Lightning Alarm or WeatherSmart?
Lightning Alarm ships an update every 2 months, and WeatherSmart every 3 months. Most recently, Lightning Alarm was updated on October 26, 2026 and WeatherSmart on October 24, 2026.

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