Comparison

HamAlert vs AcuRite NOW

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

Head to head
About

HamAlert

Receive instant push notifications for desired amateur radio contacts. Filter alerts by various criteria like callsign, band, mode, and location. Stay updated on DX spots from multiple sources.

Highlights
  • Push notifications for desired stations
  • Filter spots by DXCC, callsign, and location
  • Support for Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, DX cluster, PSK Reporter
  • Filter by band, mode, and time
  • Filter by spotter callsign and DXCC
Features
Read full description

This app is a companion to the HamAlert web site (hamalert.org) and lets you receive push notifications from HamAlert. HamAlert is a system that allows amateur radio operators to get notifications when a desired station appears on the Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, the DX cluster or PSK Reporter. Spots can be filtered by various criteria, including: • DXCC (both actual and callsign home DXCC) • Callsign • Island reference • Summit reference • Park reference • CQ zone • Continent • Band • Mode • Time and days of week • Source • Spotter callsign and DXCC

About

AcuRite NOW

Access real-time, hyper-local weather and environmental data from your connected sensors. Get custom alerts, integrate with smart home devices, and make informed decisions for your home, garden, or outdoor adventures.

Highlights
  • Real-time weather data
  • Smart home integration
  • Customizable alerts
  • Multi-sensor monitoring
  • Visual dashboards
  • Historical trends
  • Daily & 5-day forecasts
Features
Read full description

The Weather You Need for the Life You Lead AcuRite NOW delivers real-time, hyper-local weather and environmental insights from your connected AcuRite weather stations and sensors—right from your smartphone. Designed for those who demand more precision, control, and seamless smart home integration, this next-gen app helps you stay informed, react faster, and make better decisions—indoors and out. For DIYers and Outdoor Enthusiasts Whether you’re gardening, prepping for a storm, or planning your next adventure, AcuRite NOW gives you instant access to hyper-local weather data from your personal sensors. Make smarter decisions about your day, your projects, and your gear. For Smart Home Pros Seamlessly integrate your AcuRite sensors with Alexa, Google Home, or use “If-This-Then-That” (IFTTT) automation recipes to build your own smart life. Automate actions like turning on fans, heaters, or dehumidifiers based on real-time weather triggers - all tailored to your needs. Key Features • Real-Time Weather Data based on your weather station or sensors, such as: temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, barometric pressure, and air quality • Smart Home Integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, or use “If-This-Then-That” (IFTTT) • Custom Alerts: freeze warnings, leak detection, high humidity, strong wind, rainfall notifications, and more • Multi-Sensor Monitoring: keep tabs on multiple locations—garage, greenhouse, lake house, and more • Visual Dashboards: easy-to-read layouts make conditions and trends instantly clear • Historical Trends: view detailed charts and graphs for smarter long-term decisions • Reliable Daily & 5-Day Forecasts Custom Alerts, Smarter Action Set personalized alerts via push notifications and email to know when conditions exceed your desired range. Stay ahead of risks like: • Water leaks or flooding • High or low humidity (mold, allergens, damage to collectibles) • Freezing temperatures (protect pipes, plants, pets) • Excessive or inadequate rainfall • High wind (protect outdoor furniture, secure gardens) • High soil or liquid temperatures (gardening or aquarium care) Why AcuRite NOW? This isn’t just a weather app—it’s your personal command center. Whether you want to protect your home from the elements, create a healthier indoor environment, or enhance your smart home routines, AcuRite NOW helps you do more with data that matters. Common use cases include: • Maintaining safe indoor air quality • Preventing mold and mildew • Managing energy use and comfort • Monitoring conditions for pets, gardens, pools, or ponds • Supporting group activities or property care through shared access Share with Family, Friends & Neighbors Grant access to current conditions and alerts with those who need to stay in the loop—house sitters, lawn care providers, community gardens, or local weather station communities. Friendly, US-Based Customer Support Get real help from real people. Reach out via email or chat or explore our robust support knowledge base. Download AcuRite NOW and take control of your environment—wherever you are.

Screenshots

HamAlert1 screens
AcuRite NOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HamAlert at 70% against AcuRite NOW's 2%. HamAlert also leads on rating (4.2 vs 1.1). AcuRite NOW's advantage is ratings volume (831 vs 29) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HamAlert holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AcuRite NOW has 831 ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of HamAlert's written reviews are positive against 2% of AcuRite NOW's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamAlert ships an update every 4 months, AcuRite NOW every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
HamAlert versus AcuRite NOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamAlertAcuRite NOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (29 ratings) — better1.1 (831 ratings)
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews — better2.3% of reviews
Number of ratings29831 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB251 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperManuel KasperChaney Instruments

Customer experience

HamAlert

All ratings29 ratings
Positive72.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

AcuRite NOW

All ratings831 ratings
Positive2.3%
Neutral1.0%
Negative96.8%
Written reviews306 reviews
Positive2.3%
Neutral2.3%
Negative95.4%

In-app purchases

None

HamAlert

No in-app purchases

None

AcuRite NOW

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamAlert free?
HamAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AcuRite NOW free?
AcuRite NOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HamAlert or AcuRite NOW?
HamAlert is rated higher. HamAlert averages 4.2 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while AcuRite NOW averages 1.1 from 831 ratings.
Do HamAlert or AcuRite NOW have ads?
Neither HamAlert nor AcuRite NOW shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamAlert or AcuRite NOW?
HamAlert ships an update every 4 months, and AcuRite NOW every 5 weeks. Most recently, HamAlert was updated on September 17, 2026 and AcuRite NOW on September 24, 2026.

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