Comparison

FEMA vs Gnomon

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

Head to head
About

FEMA

This app provides essential tools and information for disaster preparedness, safety, and recovery. Receive real-time alerts, access guidance on emergency plans and kits, and find information on disaster assistance.

Highlights
  • Real-time weather and emergency alerts
  • Disaster preparedness guidance
  • Actionable safety advice
  • Disaster recovery assistance information
  • Location-based alerts
  • Accessibility features
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The official FEMA mobile app provides essential tools and information to help you prepare for, stay safe during, and recover from disasters. Empower yourself and your loved ones with critical resources at your fingertips. Key Features: - Timely and Relevant Alerts: Receive real-time weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), tailored to your specified locations (up to five), utilizing zip code precision. Stay informed about potential hazards affecting the areas you care about. - Comprehensive Preparedness Guidance: Access clear, concise information on how to prepare for various disasters. Learn how to develop a family emergency communication plan and build an effective emergency kit. - Actionable Safety Advice: Understand immediate steps to take to protect yourself and your family during different types of emergencies. - Disaster Recovery Assistance: Find answers to frequently asked questions about the disaster assistance process and locate FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers nearby. - Accessibility Focused: Designed with accessibility in mind, the app is compatible with screen reader technology and adheres to federal accessibility standards. Be proactive in ensuing your safety and resilience. Download the official FEMA App today to access vital information and resources when you need them most. It’s a free and essential tool for every individual and family. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, we’d love to hear them. Contact us at fema-app@fema.dhs.gov. Important: Tornado alerts are a moving target using polygon tracking for accuracy. Real-time tornado alerts based on your current location are not currently offered in the FEMA app.

About

Gnomon

Features
Read full description

Gnomon is an archaeoastronomical horology timepiece and contemplative seasonal companion for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Rooted in ancient solar observation and the 72 micro-seasons of East Asian tradition, Gnomon translates celestial motion into an offline, quiet daily ritual. At the heart of Gnomon is a physical 3D sundial, rendered entirely in real-time ray optics. Unlike simplistic 2D shadow renderers, Gnomon models the sun as an extended light source, reproducing a dense, sculptured umbra core that progressively diffuses into an organic penumbra envelope as shadows stretch across the white-jade lotus pedestal. TIME MEASURED BY SUNLIGHT • True Solar-Noon Geometry: Stand with the quiet voxel observer and track the shadow cast precisely at local astronomical solar noon across the equinoxes, solstices, and 24 solar terms (1970–2100). • Local True Solar Noon Ceremony: At exact local apparent solar noon (12:00 AST), experience a pure procedural synthesis of the Song Dynasty Dasheng bronze chime (黄钟大晟特磬, 261.63 Hz) combined with gentle tactile mallet haptics. • Dual-Shadow Comparison: Compare today's shadow with the same day last month, the solstice extremes, or an observation site in the opposite hemisphere. • Dynamic Seasonal Atmosphere: An eight-node sky gradient breathing with solar longitude and local diurnal cycles, transitioning from morning dew to twilight amber. 72 MICRO-SEASONS & MINDFUL RITUALS • Sourced Cultural Lore: Journey through the 72 micro-seasons (Pentads), from "First East Wind Melts the Ice" to "Rotting Grass Turns to Fireflies." • Today's Invitation: Every solar term introduces an original invitation for mindful living—an invitation to notice where light falls, brew tea with the season's water, or leave space for what comes next. • Procedural Soundscapes: Immerse yourself in synthesized elemental acoustic hums tailored to each season's nature without requiring audio file streaming or downloads. • Lunisolar Almanac: Explore the synchronicity of the lunar phase, solar longitude, and celestial stems in an understated single-line footnote that unfolds only when invited. CRAFT & RESTRAINT • 100% Offline & Private: High-precision VSOP87D planetary calculation algorithms run locally on device. No accounts, no analytics, no network dependency, and no tracking. • Quiet Typography: Designed with reverence for Songti serif typography, warm Xuan-paper tones, and restrained cinnabar seals. No notifications, no streaks, and no feed clutter. • Standalone Apple Watch & Complications: Scrub through a year of light using the Digital Crown on your wrist with real-time true solar noon countdowns. • Full Accessibility: Complete VoiceOver support, dynamic type adaptation, and respect for Reduce Motion. Step outside, notice where the shadow falls, and make room for the light.

Screenshots

FEMA4 screens
Gnomon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FEMA at Free against Gnomon's $2.99. FEMA also leads on chart position (#19 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). Gnomon's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases 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

FEMA is free to download; Gnomon costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FEMA ships an update every 2 months, Gnomon every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
FEMA versus Gnomon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFEMAGnomon
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating3.7 (1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews68.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#19 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB43 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)丞辰 郑

Bugs and requests

FEMA

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Alerts not showing up in the app
  • Locations being repeatedly deleted
  • Inability to add or update locations
  • Notification badge not clearing properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Customizable notification settings
  • Ability to view past/archived alerts
  • Integration with other weather/emergency apps
  • Improved mapping and location services

Gnomon

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

FEMA

No in-app purchases

None

Gnomon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FEMA free?
FEMA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gnomon free?
Gnomon costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do FEMA or Gnomon have ads?
Neither FEMA nor Gnomon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FEMA or Gnomon?
FEMA ships an update every 2 months, and Gnomon every 4 days. Most recently, FEMA was updated on November 10, 2026 and Gnomon on November 10, 2026.

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