# Windy.com vs NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Windy.com at 89% against NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast's 0%. Windy.com also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Windy.com sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Windy.com holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Windy.com has 79K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Windy.com's written reviews are positive against 0% of NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast's.

Windy.com ships an update every 3 weeks, NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Windy.com | NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (79K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/windycom/id1161387262/reviews)** | [3.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noaa-weather-radar-forecast/id6472042471/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **79K** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **89.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | #191 |
| Size | 172 MB | 224 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.5** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Windyty, SE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1161387261) | [Avalon Soft](https://appshunter.io/developer/1698974033) |

## What reviewers say

### Windy.com

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/windycom/id1161387262)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Weather, #11 Top Grossing · Weather (US App Store)

This app offers advanced weather forecasting with over 50 detailed maps and 15 weather models, including live radar, satellite imagery, and hurricane tracking. It provides customizable alerts for storms, wind, and snow, making it ideal for outdoor activities and aviation.

**Highlights:** Live weather radar & satellite, Over 50 weather maps, 15+ weather models, Hurricane tracker, Customizable weather alerts, Aviation-specific forecasts, Air quality index

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Donate 3 EUR/USD a month | $2.99 | per month |
| Windy Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| Donate 6 EUR/USD a month | $5.49 | per month |
| Windy Premium | $24.99 | per year |
| Donate approx 5 EUR/USD | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donate approx 10 EUR/USD | $9.99 | one-time |
| Donate approx 20 EUR/USD | $19.99 | one-time |
| Windy Premium | $29.99 | one-time |
| Donate approx 50  EUR/USD | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌊 Accurate weather forecasts
- 🌍 Comprehensive global coverage
- 🔍 Detailed weather data and models
- 🛥️ Useful for marine/sailing activities
- 🛫 Valuable for aviation planning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Overwhelming number of features and options
- 🔍 Small text and cluttered interface on mobile
- 🤖 Occasional app crashes or stability issues
- 💰 Paywall for some advanced features
- 🌐 Lack of offline functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Map dragging issues on newer iPhone models
- Inconsistent temperature display units
- Premium features not always working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add weather front data on isobar charts
- Improve font size and layout for better readability
- Provide option to hide webcams or certain layers
- Implement weather warning notifications
- Add support for Apple Watch and other wearables


### NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noaa-weather-radar-forecast/id6472042471)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Grossing · Weather (US App Store)

Get real-time weather updates, hourly forecasts, and extended 5- and 16-day predictions. Monitor precipitation on an interactive radar map, check air quality, and view wind indicators to plan your day with accuracy and convenience.

**Highlights:** Current weather updates, Hourly forecast, 5 and 16-day forecasts, Live radar map, Air quality monitoring, Wind indicators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Weekly subscription | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Black Friday Special Sale | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| Annual with Free Trial | $34.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $44.99 | per year |
| Annual with Free Trial | $44.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Windy.com free?

Windy.com is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast free?

NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Windy.com or NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast?

Windy.com is rated higher. Windy.com averages 4.8 out of 5 from 79K ratings, while NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast averages 3.5 from 11 ratings.

### Do Windy.com or NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast have ads?

NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast shows ads; Windy.com does not.

### Which is updated more often, Windy.com or NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast?

Windy.com ships an update every 3 weeks, and NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast every 2 weeks. Most recently, Windy.com was updated on September 27, 2026 and NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast on September 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Windy.com or NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast?

Windy.com currently peaks at #3 in the App Store charts, and NOAA Weather Radar, Forecast at #191. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*