Comparison

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro vs Element

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

Head to head
About

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro

Visualize real-time weather radar data with 3D city views and customizable layers. Seamlessly switch between national, regional, and individual radar stations, and integrate with Apple Watch for convenient access. Offers a comprehensive weather overview with advanced mapping features.

Highlights
  • Real-time NOAA radar imagery
  • 3D city views with flyover mode
  • National, regional, and individual radar selection
  • Transparent radar overlays
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Major cities and radar station layers
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Next Generation of Weather Radar app is here. iOS App Quick Started: > Radar images will be loaded when the app is launched and will be refreshed every 10 minutes. And you are ready to see the latest real time radar images on the map. Zoom in and out to see the whether across multiple states. Click on the "Radar" button to enable/disable radar images. Slide the slider to change the transparency of radar images. You can also select any radar from menu, radar stations on the map and right sidebar to switch to a different radar station. > To see the major city 3D View, follow the steps below: 1. Select "Flyover" on the top to enable 3D View 2. Select "Major Cities" from the left sidebar to see the major cities on the map. Click on any major city and you are ready to see 3D City View (use two-fingers gesture to change viewing angles: zoom in/out, rotate, swipe up/down). You can also zoom in to a major city manually. Watch App Quick Started: > Launch the Watch App and the app will communicate with the iOS App to get the nearest Radar information and also notify the iOS App to select and view the Radar. The radar image will also be sent back to Watch App for display. Click on the "Nearest" button if you would like to search the nearest radar again. This app is the Next Generation of Weather Radar app by integrating the following technologies and data together: - The latest Apple MapKit features such as Traffic, Buildings, POI and 3D View - Apple Watch Integration with iPhone. - Apple TV integration (Universal Purchase) - Real Time NOAA Radar - National, Regional and Individual Radar View with the easiest ways to access the radars (right sidebar, menu or map pins) - 3D Radar View - Transparent Radar View - Radar Image - Major cities layer and weather forecast (***Full Version*** Tap a city and the flyover view will be enabled and zoomed into the selected city). - Radar Stations layer and weather forecast (Full Version) - Radar Images (Full Version) - Apple Watch Integration. - Databases with built in information. - Weather Alerts (Under development) This app provides the following features: - The first app integrates the latest national Radar, Regional Radar and Individual Radars together. - The first app provides Radar images in 3D view by selecting Flyover map mode on the top. - Quick access to radars: > One click Radar switch by selecting the right sidebar and click on a radar. > One click Radar switch by selecting an item on the top menu. > One click Radar switch by selecting radar on the map (Full Version) - One click feature/layer switch by selecting the left sidebar and click on a feature/layer > Radar Image based upon the selected state > Radar Stations layer on/off > Major cities layer on/off - One click theme switch by selecting the left sidebar and click on a theme to have the look you want. - This app provides the Apple Watch Integration to control iPhone to select and display the nearest Radar Image. - This app provides Apple TV integration (Universal Purchase)

About

Element

Experience weather like never before with a visually powerful and simple forecast. This app provides hyper-local, high-definition radar, detailed 24-hour and 7-day predictions, and customizable alerts for everything from light rain to severe storms and wildfires. Stay confidently ahead of any weather headed your way.

Highlights
  • High-definition radar with 24-hour storm predictions
  • Hyper-local 24-hour and 7-day forecasts
  • AI-powered hurricane path tracking
  • Customizable weather alerts
  • Selectable forecast elements (temperature, air quality, etc.)
  • Lock and Home Screen widgets
  • Live wildfire tracking and smoke visualization
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Introducing Element – a new way to experience the forecast. Built around what you care about, not what an app decides to show you. From light rain to severe storms, see the weather in a visual experience you design yourself. Element's proprietary weather engine draws from multiple trusted sources – NOAA, National Weather Service, and more – delivering hyper-local, up-to-the-minute high-definition radar and forecasts you can rely on. Pick your data. Build your layout. Track only what matters to you – and stay confidently ahead of anything headed your way. CUSTOMIZABLE FORECASTS Build your forecast around what matters to you. Choose from simple glanceable views to deep, layered dashboards – infinite combinations across layouts, data types, and detail levels. No clutter, no compromise. - Temperature & Feels Like - Precipitation Chance & Amount - Air Quality - Wind Speed & Gusts - UV Index - Pressure - Sunrise & Sunset Times - Moon Phases - Humidity & Dew Point - Cloud Cover - Visibility - Hurricanes & Tropical Systems - Wildfires & Smoke - Tides RADAR IN HIGH DEFINITION Track weather across a full range of layers – precipitation, wind, air quality, humidity, pressure, and more – in high-definition radar that moves as naturally as the elements themselves. Up to 24-hour storm predictions, so you always know what's coming and when. HYPER-LOCAL, ALL-WEATHER FORECASTS Element's advanced forecast engine delivers precise forecasts for your exact location. Track daily conditions and severe weather with detailed 24-hour and 7-day predictions – from your morning commute to approaching hurricanes – with unmatched accuracy. SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS From light rain to Category 5 hurricanes, Element keeps you informed with timely, precise alerts powered by trusted sources – so you only get the updates that matter, when they matter most. LOCK & HOME SCREEN WIDGETS Glanceable, live weather where you need it most. Element's Lock and Home Screen widgets deliver real-time updates right on your iPhone – so you're always prepared at a glance. WILDFIRE & SMOKE TRACKING See wildfires live on the map. Element layers active fire zones and drifting smoke so you get a real-time view of spread and air quality impact. Track multiple fires and set critical alerts as conditions change. LIVE PRECIPITATION Follow precipitation without opening the app. See real-time rain and snow updates on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island – showing exactly when precipitation will start, ease, or stop, minute by minute. Element transforms weather into a visual experience as natural as checking the sky – whether you're planning your day, scheduling adventures, or exploring new places. Element is free to download. Premium features require a subscription or one-time purchase. Subscriptions include a free seven-day trial and can be cancelled anytime via Apple Support. Terms of Service: https://www.elementweather.com/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.elementweather.com/privacy

Screenshots

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro4 screens
Element4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Element at Free against US NOAA Radars 3D Pro's $1.99. Element also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.7) and ratings volume (1.4K vs 7). US NOAA Radars 3D Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On chart position 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

Element is free to download; US NOAA Radars 3D Pro costs $1.99 up front. Element sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. US NOAA Radars 3D Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Element holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Element has 1.4K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of US NOAA Radars 3D Pro's written reviews are positive against 24% of Element's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro ships an update every 6 weeks, Element every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
US NOAA Radars 3D Pro versus Element: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUS NOAA Radars 3D ProElement
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating1.7 (7 ratings)4.6 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews24.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings71.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#198#127 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB482 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJufen ChangETCETERA WEATHER, LLC

Customer experience

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro

All ratings7 ratings
Positive14.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative78.6%

Element

All ratings1,380 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive24.5%
Neutral16.3%
Negative59.2%

Bugs and requests

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Element

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Failing to connect to servers
  • Incorrect location data
  • Delayed delivery of weather updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand coverage to more countries
  • Add customizable weather alerts
  • Improve route-based forecasting
  • Introduce a more affordable pricing model

In-app purchases

None

US NOAA Radars 3D Pro

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Element

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription7 Days trial4 variants$4.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription7 Days trial$5.001 Month
Show 4 more
  • Element Family Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is US NOAA Radars 3D Pro free?
US NOAA Radars 3D Pro costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Element free?
Element is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, US NOAA Radars 3D Pro or Element?
Element is rated higher. US NOAA Radars 3D Pro averages 1.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Element averages 4.6 from 1.4K ratings.
Do US NOAA Radars 3D Pro or Element have ads?
Element shows ads; US NOAA Radars 3D Pro does not.
Which is updated more often, US NOAA Radars 3D Pro or Element?
US NOAA Radars 3D Pro ships an update every 6 weeks, and Element every 2 weeks. Most recently, US NOAA Radars 3D Pro was updated on November 2, 2026 and Element on November 4, 2026.
Which is more popular, US NOAA Radars 3D Pro or Element?
US NOAA Radars 3D Pro currently peaks at #198 in the App Store charts, and Element at #127. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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