Weather4D Lite vs FD Viewer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Weather4D Lite | FD Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #144 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 484 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | APP4NAV | Neil Cormia |
Customer experience
Weather4D Lite
FD Viewer
In-app purchases
Weather4D Lite
- 3 Months HD Forecast Subscription$17.99
- 1 Year HD Forecast Subscription$39.99
FD Viewer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Weather4D Lite free?
Is FD Viewer free?
Which has better reviews, Weather4D Lite or FD Viewer?
Do Weather4D Lite or FD Viewer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Weather4D Lite or FD Viewer?
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