# OpenSnow vs SkiCast

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SkiCast at none against OpenSnow's 3. SkiCast also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). OpenSnow's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 50%) and ratings volume (9.1K vs 22). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. OpenSnow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. SkiCast asks for nothing beyond the download.

OpenSnow holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenSnow has 9.1K ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of OpenSnow's written reviews are positive against 50% of SkiCast's.

OpenSnow ships an update every 11 days, SkiCast every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenSnow | SkiCast |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opensnow/id780890907/reviews)** | [4.5 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skicast/id1079244348/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.1K** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | **80.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#23** | — |
| Size | 125 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cloudnine Weather, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/487445927) | [International Ski Condition Forecasting Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1079244347) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenSnow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opensnow/id780890907)

**Currently charting:** #23 Top Grossing · Weather, #64 Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

Get the most accurate snow forecasts, detailed snow reports, and severe weather maps. Access 15-day forecasts, local expert insights, and offline 3D maps for snow depth, avalanche risk, and more. Track storms with advanced radar and AI-powered weather systems.

**Highlights:** 15-Day Snow Forecast, Local Expert Snow Reports, 3D & Offline Weather Maps, AI-Powered Weather System, Severe Weather Tracking, Mountain Webcams, Snow Depth & Avalanche Risk Maps

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| OpenSnow Legacy | $49.99 | per year |
| OpenSnow Base | $49.99 | per year |
| OpenSnow Base Legacy | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate snow forecasts
- 📊 Detailed weather data and maps
- 🗺️ Comprehensive coverage of ski resorts
- 💻 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🤖 Reliable and consistent forecasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model can be expensive
- 🌐 Limited coverage outside of North America
- 🕰️ Occasional delays in updating snow conditions
- 🤖 Inconsistent accuracy in long-term forecasts
- 🔒 Paywall restricts access to some features

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes or freezes on certain devices
- Inconsistencies in the display of weather data and forecasts

**Requested features**

- Expand coverage to more international ski resorts
- Improve offline functionality and data availability
- Introduce more customization options for user preferences
- Enhance integration with other outdoor activity planning apps
- Provide more detailed snow and weather data for backcountry use


### SkiCast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skicast/id1079244348)

Provides skiers with detailed snow conditions, ease of skiing indices, and prevailing weather forecasts for the next seven days. Aims for 90% forecast accuracy to help users choose and enjoy their ski days.

**Highlights:** Detailed snow conditions, Ease of skiing indices, Prevailing weather forecast, 7-day forecasts, Intuitive icons for snow situations, Powder alerts

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenSnow free?

OpenSnow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SkiCast free?

SkiCast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, OpenSnow or SkiCast?

OpenSnow is rated higher. OpenSnow averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while SkiCast averages 4.5 from 22 ratings.

### Do OpenSnow or SkiCast have ads?

Neither OpenSnow nor SkiCast shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenSnow or SkiCast?

OpenSnow ships an update every 11 days, and SkiCast every 2 months. Most recently, OpenSnow was updated on October 17, 2026 and SkiCast on September 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*