# Air Quality Index vs Air Quality Reader

The clearest difference is rating: Air Quality Index at 4.5 against Air Quality Reader's 3.8. Air Quality Index also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 37%) and device support (6 vs 3). Air Quality Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (147 vs 20). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Air Quality Index holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Air Quality Reader has 147 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Air Quality Index's written reviews are positive against 37% of Air Quality Reader's.

Air Quality Index ships an update every 6 weeks, Air Quality Reader every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Air Quality Index | Air Quality Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/air-quality-index/id1296674639/reviews)** | [3.8 (147 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/air-quality-reader/id1535362123/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **147** |
| Positive reviews | **63.6% of reviews** | 36.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 15 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apparent Logic, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/314496791) | [Bret Taylor](https://appshunter.io/developer/1039747787) |

## What reviewers say

### Air Quality Index

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/air-quality-index/id1296674639)

This app provides 48-hour smoke prediction maps for the Continental US, utilizing data from NOAA. It can also display EPA AQI readings, offering a comprehensive view of air quality.

**Highlights:** 48-hour smoke prediction maps, Near surface and vertically integrated smoke data, Continental US coverage, Optional EPA AQI readings, NOAA data integration

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Air Quality Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/air-quality-reader/id1535362123)

View real-time air quality index (AQI) readings from a global network of sensors. Get instant health insights and monitor pollution levels directly on your home screen with customizable widgets.

**Highlights:** Real-time AQI readings, Global sensor network, Home screen widgets, Health effect information, Pollution monitoring

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and effective app
- 🗺️ Map widget available
- 💨 Real-time air quality data
- 💙 Great public service app
- ✨ Ad-free experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Data not updating
-  stale Data displayed
- ⚠️ Dangerously misleading data
- 📉 Sensors disappeared
- ❓ Data accuracy issues

**Reported bugs**

- App stopped updating air quality data
- Data feed stopped working
- Sensors not updating for months
- Indoor sensors not showing
- My unit is missing from map

**Requested features**

- Increase font size for visually impaired
- Add ability to toggle indoor sensors
- Add ability to filter indoor vs outdoor sensors
- Add pollen data
- Notification options for air quality drops


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Air Quality Index free?

Air Quality Index is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Air Quality Reader free?

Air Quality Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Air Quality Index or Air Quality Reader?

Air Quality Index is rated higher. Air Quality Index averages 4.5 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Air Quality Reader averages 3.8 from 147 ratings.

### Do Air Quality Index or Air Quality Reader have ads?

Neither Air Quality Index nor Air Quality Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Air Quality Index or Air Quality Reader?

Air Quality Index ships an update every 6 weeks, and Air Quality Reader every 4 days. Most recently, Air Quality Index was updated on November 9, 2026 and Air Quality Reader on November 7, 2026.

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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.*