Comparison

Element vs SkyWindow

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

Head to head
About

Element

Experience weather like never before with a visually powerful and simple forecast. This app provides hyper-local, high-definition radar, detailed 24-hour and 7-day predictions, and customizable alerts for everything from light rain to severe storms and wildfires. Stay confidently ahead of any weather headed your way.

Highlights
  • High-definition radar with 24-hour storm predictions
  • Hyper-local 24-hour and 7-day forecasts
  • AI-powered hurricane path tracking
  • Customizable weather alerts
  • Selectable forecast elements (temperature, air quality, etc.)
  • Lock and Home Screen widgets
  • Live wildfire tracking and smoke visualization
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Introducing Element – a new way to experience the forecast. Built around what you care about, not what an app decides to show you. From light rain to severe storms, see the weather in a visual experience you design yourself. Element's proprietary weather engine draws from multiple trusted sources – NOAA, National Weather Service, and more – delivering hyper-local, up-to-the-minute high-definition radar and forecasts you can rely on. Pick your data. Build your layout. Track only what matters to you – and stay confidently ahead of anything headed your way. CUSTOMIZABLE FORECASTS Build your forecast around what matters to you. Choose from simple glanceable views to deep, layered dashboards – infinite combinations across layouts, data types, and detail levels. No clutter, no compromise. - Temperature & Feels Like - Precipitation Chance & Amount - Air Quality - Wind Speed & Gusts - UV Index - Pressure - Sunrise & Sunset Times - Moon Phases - Humidity & Dew Point - Cloud Cover - Visibility - Hurricanes & Tropical Systems - Wildfires & Smoke - Tides RADAR IN HIGH DEFINITION Track weather across a full range of layers – precipitation, wind, air quality, humidity, pressure, and more – in high-definition radar that moves as naturally as the elements themselves. Up to 24-hour storm predictions, so you always know what's coming and when. HYPER-LOCAL, ALL-WEATHER FORECASTS Element's advanced forecast engine delivers precise forecasts for your exact location. Track daily conditions and severe weather with detailed 24-hour and 7-day predictions – from your morning commute to approaching hurricanes – with unmatched accuracy. SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS From light rain to Category 5 hurricanes, Element keeps you informed with timely, precise alerts powered by trusted sources – so you only get the updates that matter, when they matter most. LOCK & HOME SCREEN WIDGETS Glanceable, live weather where you need it most. Element's Lock and Home Screen widgets deliver real-time updates right on your iPhone – so you're always prepared at a glance. WILDFIRE & SMOKE TRACKING See wildfires live on the map. Element layers active fire zones and drifting smoke so you get a real-time view of spread and air quality impact. Track multiple fires and set critical alerts as conditions change. LIVE PRECIPITATION Follow precipitation without opening the app. See real-time rain and snow updates on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island – showing exactly when precipitation will start, ease, or stop, minute by minute. Element transforms weather into a visual experience as natural as checking the sky – whether you're planning your day, scheduling adventures, or exploring new places. Element is free to download. Premium features require a subscription or one-time purchase. Subscriptions include a free seven-day trial and can be cancelled anytime via Apple Support. Terms of Service: https://www.elementweather.com/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.elementweather.com/privacy

About

SkyWindow

Features
Read full description

SkyWindow tells you what you can actually see from your backyard tonight — not a generic all-sky chart. YOUR REAL SKY Capture your horizon with your phone (eight compass directions). SkyWindow uses AI to trace trees, roofs, and buildings, then filters every target list to what clears your skyline. TONIGHT'S VERDICT Get a clear GO, MAYBE, or STAY IN call based on cloud cover, wind, moon phase, and how many good targets are up for your site and gear. EQUIPMENT-AWARE TARGETS Add telescopes, binoculars, or a Seestar S30. Targets are matched to your field of view and aperture — no more hunting for objects you can't frame or resolve. PLAN & LOG Drag targets into an observing plan, browse the calendar, and log sessions with notes and what you saw. EVENING REMINDERS Turn on notifications in Profile. Around 8 pm local time, SkyWindow can nudge you when skies look worth opening the app. LANGUAGES English, Deutsch, Francais, Espanol, and Japanese. Change anytime in Profile. SkyWindow is built for amateur astronomers who observe from light-polluted backyards — where the horizon matters as much as the forecast.

Screenshots

Element4 screens
SkyWindow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SkyWindow at none against Element's 10. SkyWindow also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). Element's advantage is chart position (#126 vs unranked). On price and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. Element sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SkyWindow asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Element versus SkyWindow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElementSkyWindow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews24.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.4K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#126 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.215.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size482 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperETCETERA WEATHER, LLCAndrew Reilly

Bugs and requests

Element

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Failing to connect to servers
  • Incorrect location data
  • Delayed delivery of weather updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand coverage to more countries
  • Add customizable weather alerts
  • Improve route-based forecasting
  • Introduce a more affordable pricing model

SkyWindow

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Element

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription7 Days trial4 variants$4.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription7 Days trial$5.001 Month
Show 4 more
  • Element Family Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
None

SkyWindow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Element free?
Element is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SkyWindow free?
SkyWindow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Element or SkyWindow have ads?
Element shows ads; SkyWindow does not.

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