Comparison

Vaisala Road Condition vs Lightning Alarm

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

Head to head
About

Vaisala Road Condition

Access real-time weather and surface observations from road weather stations. View camera images, historical data, and lightning proximity. Receive push notifications for winter conditions and plan ahead with three-day forecasts.

Highlights
  • GIS-based map of road weather stations
  • Color-coded surface condition indicators
  • Camera images from road weather stations
  • Airport weather observations (METARs)
  • Historical temperature graphs
  • Lightning proximity alerts
  • Weather radar data and animation
  • Push notifications for winter conditions
Features
Read full description

Vaisala RoadDSS Road Condition displays weather and surface observations from Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) connected to the Vaisala RoadDSS Data Service. Users have access to the following: - Atmospheric and Surface observations from Road Weather Stations (RWS) presented via a GIS based map - RWIS locations color-coded on the map based on surface conditions or surface temperatures - Camera images from Road Weather Stations - Weather observations reported from airports (METARs) - Historical graphs displaying air temperatures, dew point temperatures, and surface temperatures for the last 24-hours for all RWIS locations. - The proximity of lightning to Road Weather Stations; powered by Vaisala's North American Lightning Detection Network (NALDN) and Vaisala's Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360) - Weather Radar data and animation - A user’s current location can be displayed on the map - Drive Mode allows a user to auto-pan the map keeping the user’s current location centered on the display - Push notifications informing users of winter surface conditions - Data filtering based on selected observation criteria - Weather Outlook forecasts providing the forecasted high and low air temperature along with a weather summary icon covering each of the next three days for each RWIS and METAR location - On demand data refresh The app works in conjunction with the Vaisala RoadDSS Data Service.

About

Lightning Alarm

Receive timely notifications about approaching thunderstorms and lightning strikes in your vicinity. This app provides accurate lightning detection and displays real-time information on a map, ensuring safety during outdoor activities.

Highlights
  • Real-time lightning detection
  • Approaching storm notifications
  • Lightning distance display
  • Map view of lightning strikes
  • Textual storm information
  • Push message alerts
Features
Read full description

Always safe with Lightning Alarm. You will be notified if a thunderstorm is in your area. The lightning detection is very accurate and the (automated) notifications are essential for safe outdoor activities. At a glance you can see the nearest lightning. Displayed on the map and in text, you see the current distance from the thunderstorm to your location. You can even set up a push message, notifying you for approaching storms. This App is unique and a must for your safety during outdoor activities. The information is based on the detection network of Meteoplaza.com. With this network 98% of all lightning discharges are detected, resulting in a high quality of the warnings! Lightning Alarm, you have been warned! Lightning Alarm Premium can be purchased through iTunes for € 3.49 per year. € 3.49 will be charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions are user-managed and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to Apple ID settings. By purchasing Lightning Alarm Premium you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Privacy statement: https://www.infoplaza.nl/en/about-us/disclaimer-privacy/ Terms of Service: https://www.infoplaza.nl/en/about-us/terms-of-use-lightning-alarm/

Screenshots

Vaisala Road Condition4 screens
Lightning Alarm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lightning Alarm at 80% against Vaisala Road Condition's 0%. Lightning Alarm also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.7) and ratings volume (889 vs 10). Vaisala Road Condition's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). 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. Lightning Alarm sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. Vaisala Road Condition asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightning Alarm holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightning Alarm has 889 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Vaisala Road Condition's written reviews are positive against 80% of Lightning Alarm's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vaisala Road Condition ships an update every 10 months, Lightning Alarm every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Vaisala Road Condition versus Lightning Alarm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVaisala Road ConditionLightning Alarm
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (10 ratings)4.5 (889 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews80.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10889 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB79 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperVaisala OyjInfoplaza BV

Customer experience

Vaisala Road Condition

All ratings10 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Lightning Alarm

All ratings889 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral5.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews533 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Vaisala Road Condition

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Lightning Alarm

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Notifications not working
  • Map tiles not loading properly
  • App crashing on launch

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to switch between miles and kilometers
  • Add multiple locations to track
  • Improve map visuals and details
  • Customizable alert radius

In-app purchases

None

Vaisala Road Condition

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Lightning Alarm

Subscriptions1
  • Lightning Alarm Premium$2.991 Year
One-time3
  • 1 month ad free$0.99
  • 3 months ad free$1.99
  • 1 year ad free$2.99

Questions

Is Vaisala Road Condition free?
Vaisala Road Condition is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lightning Alarm free?
Lightning Alarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Vaisala Road Condition or Lightning Alarm?
Lightning Alarm is rated higher. Vaisala Road Condition averages 1.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Lightning Alarm averages 4.5 from 889 ratings.
Do Vaisala Road Condition or Lightning Alarm have ads?
Lightning Alarm shows ads; Vaisala Road Condition does not.
Which is updated more often, Vaisala Road Condition or Lightning Alarm?
Vaisala Road Condition ships an update every 10 months, and Lightning Alarm every 2 months. Most recently, Vaisala Road Condition was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lightning Alarm on November 1, 2026.

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