Comparison

Window Season vs Going Blue

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

Head to head
About

Window Season

Features
Read full description

Know when to open your windows. Window Season is a tool for helping decide when to open your windows for passive cooling. It watches the temperature, air quality, and rain for the places you care about and gives you one clear call: open up, or keep them closed. Set your comfort range once and it tracks the rest, hour by hour. • Open now or closed now, at a glance • What's next, like "Close at 8 PM" • Whether you should open overnight • Air quality and rain handled automatically • Adjustable comfort settings • Home & Lock Screen widgets on iOS • Apple Watch app, complications, and widgets

About

Going Blue

This weather app provides detailed forecasts via satellite messengers, ideal for remote expeditions. It compresses extensive weather data into single messages, accessible through SMS, Garmin inReach, or iPhone satellite messaging.

Highlights
  • Satellite messenger compatibility
  • Custom data compression codec
  • SMS, Garmin inReach, iPhone messaging support
  • Hourly and 13-day forecasts
  • Multiple weather variables
  • Over 30 forecast models
  • Forecast comparison
Features
Read full description

Going Blue is an expedition weather app designed specifically for low-bandwidth satellite connections. It is built for skiers, alpinists, backpackers, kayakers, sailors, hunters, and anyone else who needs detailed weather forecasts in remote places. Going Blue works with direct-to-cell satellite internet, SMS, Garmin inReach, iPhone satellite messaging, and ZOLEO. How it works 1. Build a forecast request in the app. Choose the location, model, and variables that you care about. 2. Send the forecast request to Going Blue via the internet, SMS, Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, or iPhone satellite messaging. 3. Receive an encoded message from Going Blue. Paste it into the app to see a detailed forecast. Features - Satellite ready: Get forecasts anywhere in the world, without cell reception. Works with direct-to-cell satellite internet (Starlink Direct to Cell, T-Satellite), Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, and iPhone satellite messaging. - Hundreds of data points per message: Uses custom compression optimized for weather data to fit a detailed weather forecast into a single message. - 30+ weather models: Forecasts from high-resolution models like HRRR (3km), HRDPS (2.5km), ICON-D2 (2km), and MET Norway (1km). Automatically chooses the best model for your location. - Detailed cloud cover: See up to 10 levels in the atmosphere to differentiate between high clouds, valley fog, and whiteout conditions. - Mountain forecasts: Pressure-level winds and freezing level for high-altitude mountaineering. - Air quality: Plan around wildfire smoke and other pollution with AQI forecasts. - Model agreement: See how well the forecast agrees with models from NOAA, ECMWF, ECCC, and DWD. - Avalanche forecasts: Full avalanche forecasts from Avalanche Canada. - Works offline: All forecasts are saved on your device for comparing multiple models and past forecasts while offline. - Private: Going Blue requires no account and does not store your name, email, or phone number. Terms of Use: https://going.blue/terms

Screenshots

Window Season4 screens
Going Blue4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Window Season at none against Going Blue's 2. Window Season also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 days). Going Blue's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Going Blue sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Window Season asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Window Season ships an update every 2 days, Going Blue every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Window Season versus Going Blue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWindow SeasonGoing Blue
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB111 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZachary ColemanLane Aasen

In-app purchases

None

Window Season

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Going Blue

Subscriptions2
  • Going Blue Expedition (1 month)$9.991 Month
  • Going Blue Expedition (annual)$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Window Season free?
Window Season is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Going Blue free?
Going Blue is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Window Season or Going Blue have ads?
Neither Window Season nor Going Blue shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Window Season or Going Blue?
Window Season ships an update every 2 days, and Going Blue every 8 days. Most recently, Window Season was updated on October 31, 2026 and Going Blue on October 31, 2026.

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