Comparison

Cyclone vs VMGD

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

Head to head
About

Cyclone

Track hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones globally with real-time satellite imagery and detailed forecasts. Explore interactive maps with current weather, 10-day predictions, and sunrise/sunset times. Enjoy smooth animations and customizable playback for a comprehensive weather overview.

Highlights
  • Live satellite imagery
  • Hurricane and storm tracking
  • Interactive map exploration
  • 10-day weather forecasts
  • Customizable animation playback
  • Global weather data
Read full description

Stay informed and prepared with Cyclone, the comprehensive weather app delivering real-time insights and stunning visuals. Live Satellite Imagery Experience high-resolution cloud cover animations for North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and parts of Russia. Powered by trusted sources like NOAA-NASA GOES, EUMETSAT, SPC, and GDAC for accurate, global weather data. Track Storms Worldwide Monitor hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones with precise projected paths and detailed forecasts. Toggle between ground station data and satellite imagery for a complete view of weather conditions. Interactive Exploration Navigate dynamic terrain, satellite, or standard maps with smooth zoom and pan functionality. Access current weather, 10-day forecasts, and sunrise/sunset times in an intuitive pop-up window. Seamless and Customizable Enjoy fast performance and fluid animations, even on low-bandwidth networks. Control animation playback and speed for a tailored experience.

About

VMGD

Features
Read full description

Stay informed and prepared with the VMGD app, your essential companion for real-time weather updates and geo-hazard alerts in Vanuatu. Designed to support the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD), our app ensures you have access to accurate and timely information to keep us and our community safe. Key Features: Real-Time Weather Updates: Receive the latest forecasts and weather conditions across Vanuatu. Geo-Hazard Alerts: Stay informed about volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural hazards. User-Friendly Interface: Navigate effortlessly through comprehensive data tailored for both residents and visitors. Offline Access: Access critical information even without an internet connection. Empower yourself with reliable information—download the VMGD app today and stay ahead of the elements.

Screenshots

Cyclone4 screens
VMGD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VMGD at none against Cyclone's 1. VMGD also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months). Cyclone's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price 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. Cyclone sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. VMGD asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cyclone ships an update every 5 months, VMGD every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cyclone versus VMGD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCycloneVMGD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (98 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings98 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElecont LLCWebTec Solutions

Bugs and requests

Cyclone

Reported bugs

75 issues
  • Notifications for watch zones needed
  • Ads make quick checks impossible
  • Ads force clicks
  • Ads are too intrusive
  • Interface is poor
Show 70 more
  • Hard to read
  • Not easy to see current location
  • Limited coverage areas
  • Satellite panels do not load
  • Useless app for certain cyclones
  • No satellite reception for Australia
  • Inaccurate data
  • App appears unsupported
  • Not working
  • Waste of money
  • Clouds not shown for weeks
  • Graphics need enhancement
  • Bad cloud depiction
  • Limited to see developing lows
  • Slow updates
  • Not for Russian users
  • App is clunky
  • Only works for America
  • Paid for it, cannot restore purchase
  • Needs updates
  • Force you to click ads
  • CM is too intrusive
  • Satellite images are too rough
  • Maps are outdated
  • Poor coverage
  • Badly designed interface
  • Doesn't show cyclone near NZ
  • Not informative enough
  • Hard to read
  • Not easy to see immediately where storm is
  • Doesn't show radar for southern Gulf of Mexico
  • Doesn't cover Caribbean Sea
  • Limited to see potential developing lows
  • Not for Russian users
  • Rubbish app
  • Satellite images are too rough
  • Maps are outdated
  • Apple cannot restore purchase
  • Cyclones no longer showing up
  • App not updated for years
  • Clouds not shown for weeks
  • Satellite panels do not load
  • Only loads 1/3 of Australia
  • Fails to provide basic forecasts
  • No panels from east coast Australia to west coast US
  • No improvement over free software
  • Satellite images are too rough
  • Maps are outdated
  • Does not cover south half of Gulf and Caribbean
  • Not showing tropical cyclone Wintson (category 5)
  • No Cyclone Winston and no tracking anywhere
  • Doesn't even register Cat 5 cyclone
  • Does not show radar for southern half of Gulf of Mexico
  • Tropical storm not tracked
  • Not shown on radar, not mentioned
  • Cannot see cloud mass off coast of Australia
  • Limited to see potential developing lows
  • Cannot see cloud mass out of the coast of Australia
  • Limited to see potential developing lows
  • Not for Russian users
  • Weather not shown over Russia
  • Image cut off at Russian borders
  • Hardly works
  • No weather on Google map
  • Satellite images are too rough
  • Most cloud situation unclear
  • Maps from two hours ago
  • Hard to tell what's going on
  • Graphics need enhancement
  • No color scales for satellite interpretation

Requested features

17 requests
  • Ability to notify users of watch zones
  • More detail of the Pacific
  • Key to explain color-coded storm intensity
  • Highlight approximate storm location
  • More informative feedback on cyclone intensity (wind strength, speed)
Show 12 more
  • Strength meter with different colored icons for intensity changes
  • Live tracking like Windy
  • Sort functions for locations
  • Add storm surge and potential impact information
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard
  • Key for cyclone icon colors
  • Explain what different colors mean
  • More enhancement of cloud images
  • Color scales for satellite interpretation
  • Show cyclones before Kamchatka, not just Russian border
  • All information in Russian

VMGD

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cyclone

One-time1
  • Remove Ads & Limits$1.99
None

VMGD

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cyclone free?
Cyclone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VMGD free?
VMGD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cyclone or VMGD have ads?
Cyclone shows ads; VMGD does not.
Which is updated more often, Cyclone or VMGD?
Cyclone ships an update every 5 months, and VMGD every 5 weeks. Most recently, Cyclone was updated on October 14, 2026 and VMGD on October 11, 2026.

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