Comparison

Weather4D Lite vs FD Viewer

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

Head to head
About

Weather4D Lite

Visualize complex atmospheric and oceanic data in 3D HD layers. Download and customize GRIB files from various models for detailed weather and sea condition forecasts. Compare different models and data types side-by-side.

Highlights
  • 3D HD weather data layers
  • Automatic and manual animation
  • Customizable GRIB file downloads
  • Split-screen comparison (iPad)
  • Multiple weather and oceanographic models
  • Location-based forecasting
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Weather4D Lite is a powerful meteorological application based on atmospheric and oceanic data in GRIB format. It benefits from an interface derived from the “Routing & Navigation” version. View combined weather data displayed in 3D HD layers animated automatically or manually by sliding a finger on the screen. Use GFS model to get started. In addition, over 35 weather and oceanographic models are available with a yearly subscription (in-app purchase). Create your own geographical zones, select the models you need and download only the characteristics that matter to you: data type, resolution, periodicity, file size, etc. GRIB files can be downloaded anywhere through a regular or satellite internet connection. Split the screen (iPad only) to combine and/or compare: navigation and weather, weather and waves or currents, two weather models… The splitted screens can display charts at different scales. Create or import locations, combine them with GRIB forecast models and get a holistic view of the sea conditions. Default Models and Charts ———————————— GFS global forecast model at 0.25 °, 0.5 °, 1 ° and 2 ° resolutions. BING global chart OSM (Opens Street Map) global chart Optional Models (in-app purchase): ——————————————————— Weather -------- NAM USA GEM Global COAMPS Europe, West Atlantic, Central America, East Pacific ICON-EU Europe ARPEGE Global, Europe AROME France, Antilles, Guyane, Polynésie, Calédonie, Indien AROME HD France WRF France, Europe, Greece, NW Africa, Azores, Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles Waves ------- MFWAM Global, Europe, France FNMOC WW3 Global, Europe Currents --------- MyOcean Global, IBI, NWS, Baltic, Med NCOM AMSEAS, USEAST, ALASKA, SOCAL, HAWAII

About

FD Viewer

Access and read detailed text weather products from the National Weather Service. This app reformats Area Forecast Discussions into a user-friendly interface, allowing easy navigation through sections and offices.

Highlights
  • Read Area Forecast Discussions (AFDs)
  • View NWS offices on a map
  • List offices by distance or alphabetically
  • Paginated section navigation
  • User-friendly reformatting of weather data
Features
Read full description

Area Forecast Discussions (AFDs) are a text weather product released by the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices to inform and elaborate on the public forecast. FD Viewer presents each office on a map and also displays a list of offices sorted by distance or alphabetically. Selecting an office will display the latest Forecast Discussion paginated by section. Swipe right or left to navigate through each section. This app merely reformats the web-based AFD information in a user-friendly format. All credit for the forecast information goes to all the hardworking people at the NWS. TBD: I plan to support in-app glossary popups that will describe some of the more arcane acronyms and phrases used in the forecast text.

Screenshots

Weather4D Lite4 screens
FD Viewer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FD Viewer at Free against Weather4D Lite's $17.99. FD Viewer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Weather4D Lite's advantage is chart position (#144 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On rating, ratings volume, ads and device support 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

FD Viewer is free to download; Weather4D Lite costs $17.99 up front. Weather4D Lite sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. FD Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Weather4D Lite against 5.0 for FD Viewer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Weather4D Lite ships an update every 2 months, FD Viewer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Weather4D Lite versus FD Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWeather4D LiteFD Viewer
Price$17.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews68.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#144 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size484 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAPP4NAVNeil Cormia

Customer experience

Weather4D Lite

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive68.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative30.0%

FD Viewer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Weather4D Lite

One-time2
  • 3 Months HD Forecast Subscription$17.99
  • 1 Year HD Forecast Subscription$39.99
None

FD Viewer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Weather4D Lite free?
Weather4D Lite costs $17.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is FD Viewer free?
FD Viewer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Weather4D Lite or FD Viewer?
Weather4D Lite and FD Viewer are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Weather4D Lite or FD Viewer have ads?
Neither Weather4D Lite nor FD Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Weather4D Lite or FD Viewer?
Weather4D Lite ships an update every 2 months, and FD Viewer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Weather4D Lite was updated on November 6, 2026 and FD Viewer on November 3, 2026.

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