# OpenSnow vs SpaceWeatherLive

The clearest difference is rating: OpenSnow at 4.7 against SpaceWeatherLive's 4.0. OpenSnow also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 months). SpaceWeatherLive's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. OpenSnow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year and SpaceWeatherLive sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

OpenSnow holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenSnow has 9.1K ratings behind it against 189, 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 53% of SpaceWeatherLive's.

OpenSnow ships an update every 11 days, SpaceWeatherLive every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenSnow | SpaceWeatherLive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opensnow/id780890907/reviews)** | [4.0 (189 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceweatherlive/id1435501021/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.1K** | 189 |
| Positive reviews | **80.4% of reviews** | 53.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#43** | #102 |
| Size | 125 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cloudnine Weather, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/487445927) | [Parsec vzw](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435501020) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenSnow

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

**Currently charting:** #43 Top Grossing · Weather, #115 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


### SpaceWeatherLive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceweatherlive/id1435501021)

**Currently charting:** #102 Top Grossing · Weather, #174 Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

Track aurora and solar activity in real-time with detailed forecasts and historical data. Receive customizable push notifications for significant space weather events. Explore an extensive archive and learn from expert reports.

**Highlights:** Aurora and solar activity tracking, Real-time forecasts, Push notifications for space weather events, Dark mode for night use, Detailed graphs and reports, Extensive historical data archive, Beginner-friendly explanations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-free - monthly package | $0.99 | per month |
| Ad-free - half-yearly package | $5.49 | per 6 months |
| Ad-free - yearly package | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent space weather information
- 🔍 Detailed and informative data
- 📚 Helpful tutorials and explanations
- 🌍 Useful for aurora chasers and enthusiasts
- 🤖 Comprehensive data from various sources

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Overwhelming amount of information
- 🔔 Too many notifications/alerts
- 💰 Ads becoming too intrusive
- 🔌 Notifications not always working
- 🤔 Confusing navigation at times

**Reported bugs**

- Video links not working
- Alerts disappearing after opening the app
- Inconsistent performance after updates
- Notification count not clearing properly

**Requested features**

- Customizable notification settings
- Dark mode option
- Location-based alerts
- Ability to track solar activity trends
- Integration with other weather/astronomy apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenSnow free?

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

### Is SpaceWeatherLive free?

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

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

OpenSnow is rated higher. OpenSnow averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while SpaceWeatherLive averages 4.0 from 189 ratings.

### Do OpenSnow or SpaceWeatherLive have ads?

SpaceWeatherLive shows ads; OpenSnow does not.

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

OpenSnow ships an update every 11 days, and SpaceWeatherLive every 4 months. Most recently, OpenSnow was updated on October 4, 2026 and SpaceWeatherLive on October 2, 2026.

### Which is more popular, OpenSnow or SpaceWeatherLive?

OpenSnow currently peaks at #43 in the App Store charts, and SpaceWeatherLive at #102. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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