Weather4D Lite vs Swellwire
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
Swellwire
Visualize global ocean conditions with a 3D globe. Get detailed forecasts for swell, wind, and weather at any coastline, from immediate conditions to two weeks ahead. Plan your next surf session or marine activity with comprehensive data.
- Interactive 3D globe with weather overlays
- Live wave height and energy data
- Detailed surf spot forecasts
- Buoy data integration
- Searchable surf spots and buoys
- Favorite spots sync across devices
- 16-day forecast extension (Premium)
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Swellwire turns the world ocean into a planner. Spin the globe, drop into any coast, and read the swell, wind, and weather in seconds—right now, tomorrow, or two weeks out. WHAT YOU GET • Interactive 3D globe with live wave-height, wave-energy, wind, and temperature overlays. Pan, pinch, and tap to explore any shoreline on the planet. • Surf spot forecasts: wave height, period, direction, wind, and a clean at-a-glance read before you commit to the drive. • Buoy data from major coastal networks, surfaced inline on the same map you're already using. • Search any surf spot or NOAA buoy by name and jump straight to its forecast. • Favorite spots sync across devices, so your home break, your travel list, and your weekend backup are all one tap away. • Wave-energy color legend lets you compare a heavy four-foot day against a soft five-foot day at a glance. FREE OR PREMIUM Free includes the full globe, every overlay, and a 7-day forecast for every spot. Premium extends every forecast to a full 16 days — long enough to see swell windows before they're obvious to everyone else. WHO IT'S FOR Surfers planning the next session, the next trip, or the next swell. Sailors, kiters, foilers, divers, and anyone whose day depends on what the ocean is actually doing. WHY A GLOBE INSTEAD OF A FLAT MAP Swell doesn't care about map projections. A storm in the South Indian Ocean lights up reefs in California a week later — on a globe you can see why. Watch a long-period swell wrap around continents in the wave-energy view and a forecast starts to read like a story. ACCOUNT AND PRIVACY Sign in with Google to sync favorites and unlock the 16-day upgrade. Swellwire never posts on your behalf, never sells your data, and never emails you unless you ask. QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK Email support@swellwire.com — we read every message. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Swellwire at Free against Weather4D Lite's $17.99. Weather4D Lite's advantage is chart position (#142 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
Swellwire is free to download; Weather4D Lite costs $17.99 up front. Weather4D Lite sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Swellwire sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Weather4D Lite against 5.0 for Swellwire. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
| Parameter | Weather4D Lite | Swellwire |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Best chart rank | #142 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 484 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | APP4NAV | Nevada Scientific Inc. |
Customer experience
Weather4D Lite
Swellwire
In-app purchases
Weather4D Lite
- 3 Months HD Forecast Subscription$17.99
- 1 Year HD Forecast Subscription$39.99
Swellwire
- Swellwire Monthly$4.991 Month
- Swellwire Yearly$39.991 Year









